Head of Technical Programme - GENOMICS

Job overview

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a Head of Technical Programme to join the North West Genomic Laboratory Hub (NW GLH) at Manchester Foundation Trust (MFT) and be part of one of the largest Acute Trusts in the UK, employing over 20,000 staff.

The NW GLH is a highly regarded, UKAS accredited, NHS clinical service provider of Genomics to a population of 7.2 million people in the North west of England, as well as a wide range of national and international specialist referrals.

The NW GLH is currently undergoing a significant transformational change program and is in the process of implementing a Whole Genome Sequencing service as well as multiple ancillary projects to support the national genomics service reorganisation.

We are looking for individuals with an enthusiastic and flexible attitude who can lead, manage and develop our technical teams. You will have highly specialised knowledge of genomic techniques, experience of managing teams and demonstrate excellent communication and organisational skills.

Main duties of the job

Working alongside the Technical Programme Director the role will involve strategic and operational management of the Technical Programme, ensuring the effective delivery of technical services. The role provides leadership for staff management, including recruitment, performance, workforce planning, and employee relations, while overseeing departmental resources, infrastructure and procurement. They will be responsible for driving continuous service improvement through innovation, efficiency, and cost improvement initiatives, while supporting the development and implementation of the service's strategic objectives, business planning, and future growth. The role also involves evaluating new service opportunities and working closely with senior scientific and managerial colleagues to maintain a high-quality, sustainable genomic medicine service.

The NW GLH operates a 6 day delivery model and therefore new applicants should be aware that any future postholder will be required to work a pattern to support this; which could include occasional Saturday and Bank Holiday working.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the ‘Supporting Documents’ heading.

Explore ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place’

To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place. This welcoming one‑stop hub gives you a real sense of who we are — what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. You’ll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.

To access ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the ‘Supporting Documents’ section and once opened, you can where either scan QR code or click on the link provided.

Closing vacancy listings early

We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Diversity Matters MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU—for our patients, our communities, and each other. As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application—especially personal statements and responses to role-specific questions—is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.