Transformation and Improvement Project Manager

NHS; Dorchester, Poole; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare transformation team is seeking a Transformation and Improvement Project Manager to oversee project lifecycles within their portfolio. The ideal candidate will manage change delivery across organizations, understand various improvement methodologies, and possess excellent communication skills. This rewarding role offers the opportunity for career advancement and a flexible working pattern within an inclusive environment.

Benefits

Flexible working pattern

Supportive team environment

Opportunity for career progression

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of transformation and quality improvement methodologies.
• Experience managing complex financial and demand information.
• Ability to deliver presentations and produce senior-level briefing documents.

Responsibilities

• Manage projects within the transformation portfolio and ensure timely delivery.
• Engage stakeholders to understand change cases and develop care models.
• Develop project plans and manage key relationships with trust managers.

Skills

Good understanding of outcome‑based transformation

Excellent communication skills

Numerate with data analysis

Education

Project management methodologies knowledge

Job description

Transformation and Improvement Project Manager

The closing date is 22 December 2025

A secondment opportunity has arisen for experienced project managers 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 exciting, demanding and rewarding role will manage the whole lifecycle of assigned projects within the transformation and improvement portfolio. They will also work closely with the Transformation Management Office to support the monitoring, delivery and benefits realisation of the portfolio.

We are looking for someone with experience of managing change delivery across organisational boundaries, a good understanding of different change and improvement methodologies and an ability to manage 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

The successful candidate will:

• Manage specific projects and activities within the transformation and improvement portfolio including developing of project plans, reporting progress, and undertaking risk and issue management to ensure effective and timely delivery of the expected project outcomes
• Contribute to horizon scanning, best practice research and engaging with stakeholders to understand the case for change, develop future models of care and implement change
• Manage key relationships with trust and system managers and clinicians as relevant to areas of work
• Create and contribute to project documentation including business cases
• Plan and execute communications activity including meetings, workshops, and events.
• Chair and lead meetings and events as required.

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

Qualifications

Knowledge

• Good understanding of outcome‑based transformation and quality improvement change methodologies
• Comprehensive knowledge of improvement and project management principles and methodologies

Experience

• Experience of managing, analysing and identifying opportunities from complex financial, activity and demand information
• Demonstrable experience of co‑ordinating projects in complex and challenging environments

Personal Qualities

• Excellent communication skills with experience of delivering presentations, chairing meetings, and producing briefing documents for a senior audience
• Numerate and able to analyse complex issues, data, and information where material is conflicting and drawn from multiple sources. Capable of explaining technical concepts in clear concise understandable terms to staff with different levels of understanding
• Understanding of the management of change and what is required to support cultural change
• 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

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