Senior Improvement and Programme Delivery Manager

NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board; Warrington; On-site; GBP 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board is seeking a Senior Improvement and Programme Delivery Manager to lead complex transformation programmes across the system. You will govern, oversee benefits realisation, and drive delivery through robust planning and performance reporting.

The role requires strong leadership, senior stakeholder engagement, and capability development within a collaborative NHS environment across Cheshire and Merseyside.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent and evidence of delivering large-scale programmes.
• Recognised project or programme management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, MSP, Agile or equivalent).
• Strong governance, risk management and benefits realisation capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of complex transformation programmes and workstreams to time, cost and quality.
• Develop and maintain robust programme plans; manage scope, risks, issues and dependencies.
• Provide high-quality reporting, assurance, and decision-support for senior stakeholders.

Skills

Programme delivery

Stakeholder engagement

Risk & governance

Leadership & people management

Strategic thinking

Education

Master's degree or equivalent

Project/Programme management qualification (PRINCE2/MSP/Agile)

Job description

Employer NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board Employer type NHS Site NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Headquarters (with travel across Cheshire and Merseyside) Town Warrington Salary £57,528 - £64,750 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 03/11/2026 23:59

Senior Improvement and Programme Delivery Manager

NHS AfC: Band 8a

An exciting opportunity has arisen to be part of the changing shape of NHS commissioning in Cheshire and Merseyside. Our current organisational structure supports effective working both locally and across Cheshire and Merseyside as we develop as an Integrated Care System.

The population of Cheshire and Merseyside is diverse and growing and we are keen to see that diversity recognised within our own workforce. As an employer we seek to open opportunities for our staff to gain new skills, gain knowledge and develop careers in heath and care.

We welcome students, staff, people of all races, religions, genders, sexual orientation, physical abilities, backgrounds, and philosophies and those who are accepting of others. Our goal is to support all of our workforce in their work, if you believe you can bring your skills and experiences and an open-minded approach into our fast paced and dynamic organisation, we are committed to providing a positive and supportive experience for all of our staff.

Job overview

The Senior Improvement and Programme Delivery Manager will play a key role within the PMO Delivery & Strategic Programmes function, leading the delivery of complex transformation programmes across Cheshire and Merseyside ICB. The postholder will be responsible for managing multiple programmes and workstreams through their full lifecycle, ensuring they are effectively planned, governed and delivered in line with agreed objectives, whilst maintaining robust oversight of risks, issues, dependencies and benefits realisation.

Main duties of the job

The role will act as a critical link between strategic leadership and operational delivery, working with clinical leaders, programme teams and system partners to translate priorities into deliverable plans. The postholder will provide expert programme management support, ensuring adherence to agreed methodologies, driving performance, and delivering high-quality reporting and assurance to support decision-making at senior level.

Operating within a complex and highly collaborative environment, the Senior Improvement and Programme Delivery Manager will build strong relationships across the ICB and wider system, facilitating partnership working and supporting the delivery of system-wide transformation priorities. The role will also contribute to developing programme management capability, supporting teams to embed best practice, resolve complex challenges and drive continuous improvement in service delivery and outcomes.

Working for our organisation

NHS Cheshire and Merseyside serves a population of over 2.7 million people across nine localities, working with 16 NHS provider organisations, 51 Primary Care Networks, local authorities and voluntary sector partners.

We are proud of Cheshire and Merseyside's record of collaborative working and there are countless examples of brilliant care, but there are also examples of variation in service which only serve to exacerbate health inequalities.

Our vision is for everyone in Cheshire and Merseyside to have a great start in life and get the support they need to stay healthy and live longer.

We will do this by working together, as equal partners, to support seamless, person-centred care and tackle health inequalities by improving the lives of the poorest fastest.

Our values are rooted in the NHS Constitution, and we strive to create a compassionate, collaborative and innovative culture where staff can thrive and make a real difference to local communities.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key Working Relationships

The post holder will need to build and maintain constructive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including but not limited to:

• Internal ICB staff including managers, colleagues, and senior management as appropriate
• National and regional colleagues at NHS England
• ICS partners, including portfolio leads, Local Authorities and Provider Collaboratives
• Non-NHS organisations
• Members of the public and service users as appropriate
• Matrix work across all other teams to address interdependencies and ensure alignment of mutual objectives.
• External consultancy, as required

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Programme Delivery & Management

• Lead the delivery of complex transformation programmes and associated workstreams, ensuring successful delivery to time, cost and quality standards.
• Develop and maintain robust programme plans, ensuring effective control of scope, risks, issues and dependencies.
• Manage programme lifecycle activities, from initiation through to implementation and benefits realisation.
• Support resolution of complex delivery challenges across technology, process and people dimensions.

Governance, Assurance & Reporting

• Ensure adherence to agreed programme and project management methodologies, processes and governance frameworks.
• Provide high-quality reporting, tracking progress, risks, issues and benefits, and escalating where appropriate.
• Lead assurance activities including monitoring deliver performance and supporting programme reviews and deep dives.
• Maintain programme documentation including risk logs, benefits trackers and exception reports.

Stakeholder Engagement & System Working

• Build and maintain effective relationships with clinical leaders, programme teams and system partners across the ICB and wider ICs.
• Work collaboratively across organisational boundaries to support delivery of shared priorities. Facilitate programme boards, workshops and stakeholder meetings, acting as lead where appropriate.
• Communicate complex and sensitive information clearly to a wide range of audiences, supporting engagement and delivery alignment.

Planning, Analysis & Decision Support

• Analyse complex data and information to inform programme delivery, performance and improvement opportunities.
• Support business case development, option appraisal and benefits realisation tracking.
• Provide insight and advice to programme sponsors and senior stakeholders to support decision-making.

Leadership & Capability Development

• Line manage and support programme managers, ensuring effective delivery of agreed workplans.
• Provide coaching, mentoring and support to programme teams to strengthen delivery capability.
• Promote consistent use of tools, templates and best practice across programmes.
• Contribute to developing a high-performance, collaborative culture across the PMO and wider system.
• Support the development and continuous improvement of programme management methodologies and frameworks.
• Contribute to cross-system learning, sharing best practice and driving innovation in programme delivery.
• Support implementation of PMO tools and systems to enhance reporting, assurance and delivery efficiency

Please ensure to read the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.

Person specification

Knowledge, Training and Experience

• Educated to master's level in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in specialist area
• Recognised project/programme or change management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, MSP, Agile or equivalent)
• Extensive knowledge and expertise of programme management and improvement.
• Proven experience of managing complex programmes or projects within an NHS or similarly complex public sector environment
• Experience of programme planning, risk and issue management, and delivery within agreed time, cost and quality parameters

Skills

• Must be able to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive, or contentious information, negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues, and present complex and sensitive information to large and influential groups
• Negotiate on difficult and controversial issues including performance and change
• Strategic thinking – ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise
• Strong organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work autonomously
• Experience of managing and motivating a team and reviewing performance of the individuals

EDI

• Needs to have a thorough understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems in the area.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Name Sarah Thomspon Job title Head of PMO Delivery & Strategic Programmes Email address [emailprotected]