Transformation Project Lead

NHS; Manchester; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Manchester is seeking a Transformation Project Lead to oversee large-scale service improvements. The ideal candidate must have extensive project management experience, strong stakeholder engagement skills, and the ability to manage complex issues. This position offers a salary range of £47,810 to £54,710 per annum as part of a permanent, full-time role.

Qualifications

• Experience in leading large/complex projects with end-to-end project management.
• Evidence of experience working with stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience of managing own workload with competing deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead large, complex and high-value projects from initiation to execution.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders and report on progress.
• Manage inter-dependencies across projects and deliver weekly updates.

Skills

Project Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Conflict Management

Communication Skills

Analytical Skills

Education

Degree or equivalent experience

Recognised Project Management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, Agile)

Tools

MS Excel

MS Project

MS PowerPoint

Visio

Job description

Job Summary

We are recruiting for a Transformation Project Lead within the Networked Services division of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. The role will lead and manage large-scale service improvement and transformation projects, with the patient experience at the heart of everything we do.

Main Duties

Lead large-scale projects and some smaller projects, from initiation to execution and evaluation. Scope requirements, produce and maintain project documentation, lead meetings, ensure stakeholder engagement, manage conflicting viewpoints, report to various stakeholder groups, and deliver projects on time. Support other members of the Transformation Team with challenges they face on their own projects.

Who are we looking for?

A proactive team player with experience in leading projects end-to-end with little supervision. Strong relationship-building skills are required due to the level of daily interactions across the Trust. The successful candidate will effectively manage expectations, address conflict, report on progress and risks, and present to a high standard to all stakeholder groups, including executives.

About Us

The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. Based in Manchester, we serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, and receive referrals from the whole country. We provide radiotherapy, chemotherapy, specialist surgery, diagnostic services and are an international leader in research with 300+ trials each year.

Details

• Date posted: 21 November 2025
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 7
• Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 a year (per annum, pro rata)
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 413‑100903‑CNS‑DA
• Job locations: Clinical Networked Services – E00255, Manchester, M20 4BX

Job Responsibilities

General: Lead large, complex and high-value projects/programmes from initiation to execution, under strict timelines and with budget and resource constraints. Manage the entire project lifecycle; scoping requirements and defining objectives through to evaluation and end-of-project report writing, ensuring excellent stakeholder management and communication throughout. Attend, chair and present at meetings including senior clinical and executive meetings.

Lead and facilitate meetings and manage conflicting viewpoints appropriately. Prioritise a challenging workload of multiple programmes and projects, exercising sound judgment in an extremely complex environment. Analyse key problems and issues within complex services, to identify areas for improvement and deliver appropriate solutions. Proactively identify and manage risks and issues, escalating as required. Contribute to the delivery of the Trust’s VIP (Value Improvement Programme) targets and incorporate sustainability into service improvement & transformation programmes.

Support the production of business cases when required, in partnership with clinical & operational teams. Manage inter-dependencies across projects, and incorporate any changes/mitigations into delivery plans. Deputise for the Divisional Transformation Manager as required.

Develop and maintain positive and productive relationships with clinical and non-clinical staff at all levels across the Trust. Produce and maintain regular reporting and provide progress updates to your line manager. Write formal portfolio, programme and project reports to be shared at executive level.

Day-to-day management of direct reports in line with appropriate policies, procedures and guidelines. Regular performance reporting; progress, status, achievements to management as required. Support the development of direct reports in line with Appraisals, Investor in People, learning and development opportunities.

Ensure that policies or proposed changes to policies are in line with legislation and Trust and NHS policies and guidelines. Ensure mandatory training is up to date. Work to local and national policies and procedures. Work autonomously prioritising own workload. Encourage self and others to make firm and well-considered decisions to move things forward. Proactively engage with the wider organisational context and identify opportunities to make improvements.

It is a standard element of the role and responsibility of all staff of the Trust that they fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This includes risk assessment of all situations, taking appropriate actions and reporting incidents, near misses and hazards.

The above is an outline of the tasks, responsibilities, and outcomes required of the role. The job holder will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by their line manager.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent experience
• Recognised Project Management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, Agile)

Desirable Qualifications

• Relevant postgraduate qualification, or equivalent experience
• Recognised Change Management qualification

Essential Experience

• Evidence of leading large/complex projects with end-to-end project management
• Evidence of experience working with stakeholders at all levels
• Experience of managing own workload with competing deadlines
• Experience of conflict management

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience of working in the NHS
• Experience in implementing and/or managing projects such as waiting list management, electronic patient record, reconfigured outpatient clinics, paperless working, capacity/demand projects, service/activity transfers between NHS Trusts

Essential Skills

• Ability to work autonomously with minimal direct supervision
• Ability to use own initiative to make key decisions in line with objectives
• Ability to source, analyse and evaluate appropriate information/data to present the evidence for change in a clear manner
• Ability to understand complex issues and/or service areas quickly
• Evidence of ability to influence and negotiate
• Evidence of excellent communication skills, including strong report writing and presentation skills, tailored to a senior audience

Desirable Skills

• Conceptual flexibility – ability to identify multiple feasible alternatives/options and evaluate pros and cons simultaneously

Essential Knowledge

• Understanding how project/change management methodologies are applied in practice
• Excellent knowledge of MS Excel, MS Project, MS PowerPoint, Visio
• Knowledge of risk and issue management processes

Desirable Knowledge

• Knowledge of NHS systems, e.g. Careflow, Electronic Patient Records, Epro
• Understanding of the NHS structure and governance

Essential Values

• Demonstrates the organisational values and behaviours

Other Essential

• Demonstrates enthusiasm for improving services for patients and staff
• Demonstrates a clear reason for wanting this role

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service will be required to check for any previous criminal convictions.