Job overview
The postholder will undertake a strategic role leading on the development of an effective work programme that contributes towards the delivery of national priorities across the following national programme* areas:
- Planned Care (including diagnostics, cancer & genomics)
- Urgent and Emergency Care
- Enhanced Community Care.
The postholder will lead the national programme function to drive HEIW priorities and ensure alignment with the IMTP and Education and Training Plan and will be responsible for the development and implementation of service-facing workforce plans ensuring an effective interface with the NHS Performance and Improvement across these areas.
* Mental health is also a key national priority, and there is a separate team in place within HEIW leading implementation of a National Strategic Mental Health Workforce Plan. The postholder will work closely with the Mental Health Lead to ensure synergy across the respective areas.
Main duties of the job
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Lead the national programme function within HEIW and acting as the key interface with national programmes to ensure that workforce plans and priorities reflects the needs of the NHS across Wales.
Leading the development, production and implementation of service-facing workforce plans and workforce priorities that are aligned with national priorities.
Responsible for overseeing the delivery strategic service-based workforce plans/ priorities within HEIW through a series of internal working arrangements adopting a programme management approach to delivery.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click “Apply” now to view in Trac.
Applicant requirements
Welsh language skills are desirable
Person specification
Other
Essential
- Ability to travel across Wales and wider where appropriate.
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience of NHS Service/operational management and planning.
- Senior management experience
- Financial management experience.
- Experience of producing high level reports, policies, plans, business cases and strategies.
- Experience of managing, implementing and measuring change in a complex environment.
- Analysis and interpretation of data.
Desirable
- Previous experience of working in the NHS or public sector
Skills and Attributes
Essential
- Ability to analyse and interpret complex data sets.
- Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
- Presentation and training skills.
- Able to establish good working relationships at all levels internally and externally.
- Highly developed negotiation and influencing skills.
- High attention to detail.
- Ability to organise own workload and that of a team.
- Strong team player.
- Demonstrates initiative, decisiveness, compassionate leadership and self-compassion.
Desirable
- Welsh Speaker (Level 1) or willingness to work towards.
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Masters level qualification within relevant field, or equivalent demonstrable experience.
- Extensive specialist knowledge over a range of disciplines. E.g., NHS planning, performance management, programme management, business planning, clinical services, information systems, research & development, finance and HR services.
- In depth knowledge of service management within the health sector
- Understanding of Welsh Government, NHS Executive and organisations principles and standards of governance, policies, strategies, and plans
- Evidence of relevant continuous professional development.
Desirable
- Postgraduate management, planning, performance, or project/programme management qualification.
- Experience of benefits management.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Associate Director National Programmes with Health Education and Improvement Wales in Ty Dysgu. It is listed as a Band 8 Manager and corporate role. The advertised salary is £80,698 - £92,984 per annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 31 Aug 2026.
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