Project Improvement Manager

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board; Glenfield; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS Pension Scheme

Flexible hybrid working

Excellent annual leave entitlement

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

East Midlands Cancer Alliance is seeking an experienced Project Improvement Manager to lead cancer pathway improvement programmes across the region. The role involves guiding providers to enhance FDS, 28-day and treatment performance, while running pathway reviews and developing robust project plans.

You will work with clinical leaders to reduce variation, facilitate workshops and use data to drive sustainable change across organisations within the NHS framework.

Qualifications

• Degree-level education and experience in service improvement or transformation.
• Strong programme and project management skills with excellent communication.
• Experience working with complex performance data and NHS/healthcare context.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and build cross-organisational relationships.
• Analytical mindset with problem-solving focus and proactive approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead cancer pathway improvement programmes across multiple organisations.
• Support providers to improve FDS, 28-day and treatment performance.
• Undertake pathway reviews, diagnostics and process mapping.
• Develop project plans, manage risks and provide programme assurance.
• Deliver improvement workshops and facilitate stakeholder engagement.
• Analyze performance data to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Support implementation of innovative diagnostic and pathway redesign.

Skills

Degree-level education

Project management

Analytical skills

NHS experience

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Problem solving

Cross-boundary relationships

Proactive

Education

Degree-level education or equivalent experience

Job description

As a Project Improvement Manager, you will lead complex pathway improvement projects from inception through to delivery, supporting providers to improve cancer performance and deliver sustainable change. Working as part of the East Midlands Cancer Alliance Programme Team, you will:

• Lead cancer pathway improvement programmes across multiple organisations.
• Support providers to improve Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS), 28-day and treatment performance.
• Undertake pathway reviews, operational diagnostics and process mapping.
• Develop project plans, manage risks and provide programme assurance.
• Deliver improvement workshops and facilitate stakeholder engagement.
• Analyse performance data to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Support implementation of innovative diagnostic and pathway redesign initiatives.
• Work alongside clinical leaders to reduce unwarranted variation and improve patient outcomes.

What you'll be working on

The role spans a wide portfolio of cancer improvement programmes including:

• Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS) improvement
• Early Diagnosis and Diagnostic Pathways
• Living With and Beyond Cancer
• Personalised Care
• Operational Performance Recovery

Every improvement you deliver has the potential to improve outcomes for thousands of patients across the region.

Working arrangements

The role is based at County Hall, Leicester, with hybrid working available. Regular travel throughout the East Midlands is required, including attendance at provider Trusts, Integrated Care Boards and regional meetings. The successful candidate must be able to travel independently across the region.

Plan and organise a broad range complex activities requiring formulation and adjustment. Facilitate collaborative working, implement new ways of working, Regularly Develops and maintains reports and documents pertaining to area of responsibility from numerous sources or use by various audiences.

The East Midlands Cancer Alliance (EMCA) is looking for an experienced and motivated Project Improvement Manager to lead the delivery of high-profile cancer improvement programmes across the region.

We're looking for someone who can combine project management expertise with excellent stakeholder engagement skills.

You'll bring

• Degree-level education or equivalent experience.
• Experience of leading service improvement or transformation projects.
• Excellent programme and project management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience working with complex datasets and performance information.
• Outstanding communication, negotiation and influencing skills.
• The ability to build effective relationships across organisational boundaries.
• A proactive, organised and solutions-focused approach.
• Experience within the NHS or healthcare improvement is highly desirable.
• Degree level or equivalent knowledge and experience.
• Diploma level qualification or experience in specialist area, Provide and receive highly complex/sensitive/contentious information where there maybe barriers to understanding that will need developed persuasion, negotiation, reassurance and empathy skills, Complex facts, situation that require analysis, interpretation and comparison to ensure compliance

Planning and organisational skills

Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030). We have four primary goals:

• high-quality care for all,
• being a great place to work,
• partnerships for impact,
• research and education excellence

And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.

Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:

• we are compassionate,
• we are proud,
• we are inclusive,
• and we are one team

This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.

About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust: https://www.uhleicester.nhs.uk

At EMCA you'll help shape the future of cancer care across the East Midlands, working alongside nationally recognised clinical leaders and improvement teams. We offer:

• A challenging and rewarding leadership role
• Opportunities to influence regional and national cancer improvement
• Flexible hybrid working
• NHS Pension Scheme
• Excellent annual leave entitlement
• Learning and development opportunities