Operational Performance Lead

Job overview

Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance is looking for an enthusiastic and committed Operational Performance Lead to work with our Programme Director for Performance on developing and delivering Greater Manchester’s programme to improve cancer operational performance across the region. Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance brings together patients and service users as well as NHS and academic institutions with the aim of securing world-class cancer outcomes and experience for our population.  GM Cancer Alliance have long-standing, strong links with primary and secondary care, CCGs, and localities, and has the unique ability to delivery change across multiple organisations. We are looking for a highly committed individual to use evidence, stakeholder engagement and consensus to improve operational cancer performance at pathway level across Greater Manchester. The successful applicant will have experience of managing within a healthcare environment, preferably within cancer services in Greater Manchester, and both supporting and challenging senior colleagues, including clinicians. They should be able to manage a number of key projects simultaneously.  Knowledge of operational cancer performance, GM cancer pathway flow, of system recovery and cancer alliance priorities would be a distinct advantage.

The post is full-time although flexible working will be considered. The contract will be fixed term in the first instance until the 31st March 2027 but with a view to extend.

Main duties of the job

The Operational Performance Lead will form part of the Greater Manchester Performance team, deputising for the Programme Director for Performance, hosted by and based at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust but working on behalf of all of Greater Manchester and East Cheshire cancer stakeholders. Successful applicants will be expected to travel throughout the area.

The post holder will be working collaboratively across GM to lead transformation programmes across the system to support the delivery of national and local performance strategies.  They will be expected to develop and monitor delivery of strategic and system wide programmes of work that will support GM in achieving cancer performance standards as well as the national cancer planning guidance requirements. They will lead and chair a number of system wide forums bringing together key stakeholders across GM. They will also manage project plans, assurance reporting and undertaking risk and issue management to ensure effective and timely delivery of the NHSE directives and the GM performance delivery plan. We are looking for an autonomous individual with experience working in cancer performance management and improvement who will drive transformation, liaising with key stakeholders across the system to improve experience and outcomes for patients and families in Greater Manchester and East Cheshire.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, oversee and co-ordinate GM wide performance improvement initiatives •    Line management of project team members •    Project management and day to day running of one or more large scale transformation projects •    Setting up and planning of the project(s) including project steering groups, project assurance function, project teams, project documentation using the CA programme management documentation and recognised project management methodologies •    Identifying resources to enable project delivery and assuring delivery on time and to budget •    Project reporting compliant with the CA programme governance framework •    Identifying and managing the risks associated with each project •    Maintaining knowledge of local, regional and national projects that are current and pending •    Providing expert project management advice and support to other staff and teams within the CA and partner organisations.

Leadership and expertise •    Act as a genuine and credible manager and leader for projects.  •    Act as a subject matter expert for the scope of projects •    Exert influence upon senior clinical and managerial colleagues to ensure that project objectives remain a priority in their own work programmes •    Act as a local source of expertise about projects and co-ordinates all the resources that are available to support those seeking to improve services  •    Remain up-to-date with developments and disseminate these developments to the appropriate audience

Set-up and organisation •    Lead the setting up of Project Boards, ensuring full representation from all key partners (including patients) and relevant stakeholders  •    Manage the administration of Project Board meetings  •    Oversee the preparation of agendas, papers and minutes for the Project Board meetings/Pathway Boards and the follow up agreed actions with responsible group members, holding them to account for lack of progress   •    Facilitate full and active patient participation in improvement initiative design and delivery •    Build relationships across the Greater Manchester, including primary, secondary and community care as well as public & patient engagement

Communication and support •    Be the first point of contact for designated projects  •    Act as a conduit between Clinical Lead and the Greater Manchester Cancer core team  •    Lead the development of innovative proposals for pathway change and improvement   •    Challenge Clinical Leads and the Project Boards if they exhibit a lack of ambition or consider objectives that do not contribute towards those of the GM Cancer plan •    Regularly update Greater Manchester Cancer senior management team with project developments and identify where support or challenge is needed •    Create reports and papers to update the Greater Manchester Cancer Board on project developments and to seek approval for recommended action

Data and information •    Research background data and literature from national and international sources •    Collate data and literature into concise reports and tools and present to the Clinical Lead, making clear recommendations for action   •    Analyse cancer data and intelligence to identify trends, key messages and opportunities to improve patient outcomes and experience  •    Lead the Project Boards in the collation and presentation of local system-wide audit data

Planning and reporting •    Develop and manage a performance improvement work programme ensuring that this contains clear objectives, tasks and identified leads  •    Ensure that the work plan reflects, and contributes towards the achievement of, the wider Greater Manchester Cancer plan, goal and objectives of improved clinical care and patient experience and delivery of the planning guidance in a sustainable manner •    Lead the definition of outcome measures that can be monitored during the course of the work projects •    Track progress against these outcome measures and provide progress reports to GM Cancer •    Develop and maintain a risk register for the Project Board objectives and annual work plan, reporting risks and issues to the Clinical Lead according to a risk assessment framework  •    Actively contribute to any provider service reviews as required