Transformation and Improvement Programme Manager

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust; Dorchester, Poole; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health organization in the United Kingdom is seeking an experienced Transformation and Improvement Programme Manager. This role offers the chance to lead change in a fast-paced environment, with a focus on transformational improvement across health services. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in change management and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders. The position is fixed-term until July 2027, allowing for significant impact in the community while enjoying the benefits of flexible working.

Benefits

Flexible working pattern

Career-enhancing experience

Supportive team environment

Qualifications

• Significant experience in leading change delivery across organisational boundaries.
• Deep understanding of change and improvement methodologies.
• Experience of managing complex financial and demand information.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage programmes and activities within assigned areas.
• Provide expert advice and support to project managers.
• Engage and collaborate with workstream teams and colleagues.
• Develop models of care and implement change.
• Monitor and evaluate impact of programmes.

Skills

Leadership in change delivery

Working collaboratively

Analytical and judgement skills

Effective communication

Education

Project and programme management qualifications

Masters level equivalent qualification or experience

Job description

Transformation and Improvement Programme Manager

The closing date is 22 December 2025

A secondment opportunity, until July 2027, has arisen for an experienced programme manager to join the Dorset HealthCare and Dorset County Hospital Transformation and Improvement Team, providing the chance to work in a team that combines transformation change and improvement support across Acute, Community and Mental Health settings.

This is an exciting, demanding and rewarding role. The programme is fast paced, has a wide range of stakeholders and ambitious aims. It has the potential to improve the health of a defined population and make a lasting difference.

We are looking for someone with significant experience of leading change delivery across organisational boundaries, a deep understanding of different change and improvement methodologies and the knowledge of when and how to use them best, and an ability to drive change and work through others in a collaborative inclusive way.

In return the successful candidate will gain valuable career-enhancing experience, work in a welcoming, friendly, supportive, result-driven team and enjoy the benefits of a flexible working pattern.

This is an internal opportunity open to colleagues employed by - Dorset HealthCare, Dorset County Hospital, University Hospitals Dorset, Dorset Primary Care, Dorset County Council, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole County Council and the Dorset ICB. We welcome applications from staff across all detailed organisations.

Main duties of the job

• Directly lead and manage the programmes and activities within the assigned work areas, including development of project plans, reporting progress and risk and issue management to ensure effective and timely delivery of the expected project outcomes.
• Provide expert advice and support to the transformation and improvement project managers in the delivery of their assigned work areas, applying the principles and processes of the agreed outcomes-based approach to transformation, and adopting an improvement methodology.
• Proactively engage and work collaboratively with workstream teams and colleagues.
• Support the development of our horizon scanning and knowledge management approach within the programme to understand the case for change, develop future models of care and implement change.
• Build the capability within the team to monitor and evaluate the impact and outcomes of the transformation and improvement programmes of work.

This is a fixed term role and for those with current NHS service, the role will be offered on a secondment basis only. Please obtain permission to be released on a secondment before submitting an application.

Applications from candidates that require visa sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidates individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact [e-mail]

Person Specification

Education, qualifications and training

• Project and programme management qualifications or equivalent experience
• Professional knowledge acquired through training and/or experience to Masters level equivalent qualification or experience

Skills and experience

• Relevant experience in successful management of change with demonstrable outcomes in challenging environments
• Relevant experience of working effectively with multiple stakeholders across organisational and professional boundaries in a complex system
• Experience of managing, analysing and identifying opportunities from complex financial, activity and demand information
• Understanding of the management of change and what is required to support cultural change.

Personal Qualities

• Strong analytical and judgement skills with the ability to analyse and interpret highly complex information, present the outputs succinctly and capable of explaining technical concepts in clear concise understandable terms to audiences with different levels of understanding
• High degree of skill in all aspects of communication both internal and external to the organisation, with experience of delivering presentations, chairing meetings, and producing briefing documents for a senior audience.
• Ability to plan and organise a broad range of complex activities; and adjust plans or strategies to meet the needs of the Trust in a changing environment.
• Able to communicate highly complex, sensitive and often contentious information, requiring influencing and negotiation skills, where there may be barriers to understanding

Knowledge

• Able to communicate highly complex, sensitive and often contentious information, requiring influencing and negotiation skills, where there may be barriers to understanding

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Any Dorset HealthCare or Dorset County Hospital site

Any Dorset HealthCare or Dorset County Hospital site