Head of Performance Improvement

Job overview

We are looking for an ambitious and credible leader to join us as Head of Performance Improvement initially on a secondment / acting up basis. This is a high-profile leadership opportunity at the centre of operational performance, improvement, assurance and strategic decision-making within a large and complex mental health organisation.

The role leads the Trust’s approach to performance reporting, performance improvement and performance management — working closely with Executive Directors, Care Groups, operational leaders, analytics teams and corporate functions to strengthen how the organisation uses information to improve quality, productivity and operational effectiveness.

This role requires someone who can move confidently between strategic leadership and technical detail. The successful candidate will be comfortable discussing organisational priorities and improvement trajectories with senior leaders, while also engaging credibly with analysts and BI teams around data definitions, metric specifications, reporting methodologies, dashboard design and interpretation of complex information.

Main duties of the job

The role includes:

• Leading the Trust’s performance reporting and improvement function
• Supporting the development of a comprehensive organisational performance framework aligned to national standards and the NHS Oversight Framework
• Leading production and development of high-quality Board and Executive reporting, including the Integrated Performance Report
• Supporting Care Groups and senior leaders to use information to drive operational improvement, productivity and quality of care
• Developing more proactive and prospective approaches to reporting, analysis and early warning indicators
• Working closely with Business Intelligence, analytics and digital colleagues to develop fit-for-purpose dashboards, reporting solutions and performance metrics
• Providing expert advice and challenge to Executive Directors, senior clinicians and operational leaders on performance and improvement issues
• Supporting strategic planning, capacity and demand work, productivity improvement and benchmarking activity
• Developing organisational capability in the effective use of data, information and performance management approaches
• Representing the Trust internally and externally on performance improvement matters

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see job description and person specification for full details.  Brief summary of main responsibilities is:

• Embed comprehensive business intelligence systems to support strategic planning, planning and decision making.
• To develop a culture of proactive and prospective reporting and analysis – rather than reporting retrospectively.
• Provide a professional lead with respect to performance analysis & improvement within the Trust.
• To support the NHS Improvement National Oversight Framework and Contract monitoring requirements, including the delivery of key outcomes such as Performance and Quality Standards.
• To provide performance reporting support for the delivery of the trust accountability framework.
• To scrutinise national policy and government strategy and effect service changes accordingly whilst providing expert understanding to executive team as to implications and recommended options.
• To take overall responsibility for the provision and timely reporting of relevant performance indicators/metrics with the analytics team.
• To take responsibility for the development of a robust performance improvement framework, promoting the use of suitable tools and applications.
• To put systems in place to support the delivery of a succinct and targeted Integrated Performance Report.
• To support the clinical care groups Performance Improvement Meetings via the PIMS with information and analysis.
• To support the organisations relationship with data and the use of data to improve productivity and organizational effectiveness. To increase the reporting and use of lead rather than lag indicators.
• To develop, manage and evaluate performance monitoring systems for the Trust.
• To increase understanding in relation to the future data and information requirements of the trust.
• To ensure that all deadlines for the collection and submission of performance information and are strictly adhered to.
• To support work in developing Productivity Metrics measurement through the Model Hospital, GIRFT and the development of capacity and demand analysis.
• To maintain awareness of relevant developments/projects taking place nationally and locally to ensure sharing of good practice and avoidance of duplication.
• To lead on and ensure achievement of a range of strategic and trust-wide projects in relation to performance management reporting and improvement.
• To work with the BI Development team to develop comprehensive reporting solutions, systems and procedures to collate and report on the Trusts’ activities including patient activity, clinical quality and operational performance.
• To provide analytical support for capacity planning. Producing, maintaining and developing trust-wide capacity planning models and systems that reflect the changing nature of service provision and allow plans to be flexed as required.
• To develop a set of key performance measures for use within the Trust covering the full range of the activities, including ‘early warning’ systems and future activity models.
• To act as the source of knowledge for data collection, waiting list management, capacity planning, other national policies relating to, Performance.
• To monitor and support the holding to account of clinical and operational clinical care groups in their delivery of key targets as determined by the Trust Management team and commissioners.
• Provide specialist and expert advice and guidance to managers, health professionals and other relevant members of staff on performance related issues relating to their programmes of work.
• To provide in-depth specialist understanding and interpretation of national data definitions and procedures, and act as a resource to executives and the Power BI development team.
• To drive and lead discussions providing support and advice on the development of meaningful performance measures and targets.
• To lead on engagement with finance colleagues in the development and maintenance of accurate mappings between Performance and Finance for overall corporate health.
• To ensure adherence to information governance standards.
• Promote the value and importance of effective, accurate, secure Information throughout the organisation.
• To develop and adapt Performance Improvement strategies and policies to ensure compliance with national Information Governance requirements.
• To represent the trust in local, regional and national forums in relation to performance improvement as designated by the Head of Integrated Quality Improvement & Delivery.
• To represent the partnership in national, regional and local performance forums as designated by the Head of Integrated Quality Improvement & Delivery.
• To promote good practice within the Trust at local and national arenas and to strengthen the reputation of the Trust in all areas of patient services.
• To seek to influence the national agenda of the scope and style of performance management information and the design of performance indicators and other measures.
• To have overall responsibility for the functions of Performance reporting and improvement through dotted line management of the PIMS
• To ensure staffing levels are maintained and adapted to provide key deliverables as outlined through our planning process.
• To ensure all staff have been trained in the use of KSF’s and have up-to-date, clear deliverables to assess for gateway progression.
• To support staff development through agreed and regularly reviewed Personal Development Plans.
• To ensure that staff are kept up to date in developments relevant to their work.
• To ensure that all staff maintain the highest professional standards in their work and in their dealings with other staff and organisations outside the Trust.
• To be involved in all staff are appraised on a regular basis