Programme Manager

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
Full-time•£67k-77k/year•Eastbourne, South East
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Job summary

Sussex Provider Collaborative12-month Fixed Term / Secondment | Hybrid | Sussex-wide

Are you an experienced programme leader ready to shape acute care transformation across Sussex? The Sussex Provider Collaborative (SPC) is seeking a dynamic Acute Programme Manager to lead major programmes across our Acute Alliance.

About Us

The Sussex Provider Collaborative (SPC) is entering an exciting new phase of transformation. As an "all-in" partnership of NHS organisations across Primary Care, Mental Health, Learning Disability, Community, Acute and Ambulance services, we are working collectively to deliver change at scale, improving quality, care, and outcomes for our population.

Our Programme Delivery Team (PDT) drives this transformation. We lead neighbourhood, acute and system-wide programmes that bring together expertise from across Sussex providers to deliver measurable, meaningful improvements.

Why Join Us?

This role offers:

  • The chance to lead major acute transformation programmes across Sussex.
  • A supportive, highly skilled Programme Delivery Team.
  • Cross-organisational working with acute, community, mental health and system partners.
  • Flexible, hybrid working arrangements.
  • Ongoing professional development aligned with national transformation programmes

Additional Information

  • Travel across Sussex will be required
  • Hybrid working is supported in line with local policy

Main duties of the job

As an Acute Programme Manager, you will provide senior leadership to the delivery of priority acute transformation programmes, ensuring strategic ambitions translate into robust, measurable delivery plans across Sussex.

You will:

  • Lead multi-partner Acute Alliance workstreams, ensuring milestones, outputs and benefits are achieved.
  • Translate priorities, including elective SPOA, ENT redesign, into actionable delivery roadmaps.
  • Manage complex initiatives such as ENT redesign and Elective Single Point of Access.
  • Maintain performance frameworks, risks, issues, dependencies and benefits.
  • Produce high-quality reporting into Acute Alliance governance, SPC Boards and system committees.
  • Provide senior guidance and coaching to project managers, analysts and clinical delivery leads.Champion a provider-agnostic, system-first approach across all programmes.

About You

We are looking for someone who brings:

  • Significant experience leading complex transformation programmes in health or care settings.
  • Demonstrated experience working across acute providers or multi-partner systems.
  • A strong track record of improving operational performance, pathways and services.
  • Excellent programme and project management capability.
  • Highly developed communication, stakeholder management and influencing skills.
  • Analytical capability to interpret complex data and drive evidence-based action.
  • A collaborative, inclusive leadership style with a commitment to system-first working.

About us

A wide range of staff benefits are available to our staff including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto-enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries. staff restaurants and accommodation.

In addition to an internal Occupational Health department, all staff also have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Onsite parking is available from only £50 a year.

There has never been a better time to join East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, submit your application today.

Statement on the Use of AI

We value the individuality that each candidate brings to the application process. While we understand that AI tools are widely available, we strongly discourage applicants from using AI-generated content when applying for jobs with us. We believe that your application should reflect your true skills, experiences, and motivations, which are best conveyed through your own words and unique perspective.

Using AI for your application may not accurately represent your knowledge, skills, and experience and may result in a disconnect between your qualifications and our assessment of your application.

We encourage applicants to take the time to thoughtfully complete their applications; by doing so, you allow us to better understand your true potential and ensure a fair and transparent evaluation of your application. Over reliance on AI-generated content may diminish your chance of success.

Details

Date posted

23 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£66,582 to £77,368 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

374-LCCG2826

Job locations

Agile working across Sussex, base nearest home

.

BN21 2UD

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description.

For any further questions or queries, please contact the appointed manager of the vacancy.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description.

For any further questions or queries, please contact the appointed manager of the vacancy.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to degree level or equivalent level of knowledge and experience
  • Evidence of continued professional development to Masters level or equivalent level of knowledge and experience
  • Project or programme management training or qualification

Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience leading complex transformation programmes within health or care settings
  • Demonstrated experience working across multiple acute providers or multi-partner systems
  • Experience driving measurable improvement in operational performance, pathways or services
  • Proven track record of managing large programmes with complex interdependencies

Skills

Essential

  • Strong programme and project management capability.
  • Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and communication skills.
  • Ability to work across organisational boundaries and lead without authority.
  • High analytical capability and ability to interpret complex data.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to unblock barriers quickly

Other

Essential

  • Reliable work record
  • DBS clearance if applicable
  • Evidence that personal behaviour reflects Trust Values
  • Commitment to system-first, collaborative approaches.
  • Inclusive, compassionate leadership style.
  • Focus on reducing inequalities and improving patient outcomes.
  • Commitment to transparency, learning and continuous improvement
  • Ability to travel between sites in an efficient and timely manner

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to degree level or equivalent level of knowledge and experience
  • Evidence of continued professional development to Masters level or equivalent level of knowledge and experience
  • Project or programme management training or qualification

Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience leading complex transformation programmes within health or care settings
  • Demonstrated experience working across multiple acute providers or multi-partner systems
  • Experience driving measurable improvement in operational performance, pathways or services
  • Proven track record of managing large programmes with complex interdependencies

Skills

Essential

  • Strong programme and project management capability.
  • Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and communication skills.
  • Ability to work across organisational boundaries and lead without authority.
  • High analytical capability and ability to interpret complex data.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to unblock barriers quickly

Other

Essential

  • Reliable work record
  • DBS clearance if applicable
  • Evidence that personal behaviour reflects Trust Values
  • Commitment to system-first, collaborative approaches.
  • Inclusive, compassionate leadership style.
  • Focus on reducing inequalities and improving patient outcomes.
  • Commitment to transparency, learning and continuous improvement
  • Ability to travel between sites in an efficient and timely manner

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Agile working across Sussex, base nearest home

.

BN21 2UD

Employer's website

http://jobs.esht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Agile working across Sussex, base nearest home

.

BN21 2UD

Employer's website

http://jobs.esht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Apply Now