Programme Director

Job overview

The Programme Director is a senior leadership role responsible for the strategic leadership, design and delivery of one or more large-scale, complex and high-risk programmes that are critical to the Trust’s strategic objectives. The post holder will provide visible leadership across organisational and system boundaries, ensuring that programmes deliver measurable improvements in quality, outcomes, performance, productivity, workforce sustainability and value for money. The role will translate strategic priorities into coherent programme architecture, robust governance, effective stakeholder engagement and disciplined delivery, while maintaining a clear focus on patient benefit, operational improvement and sustainable change.

Main duties of the job

• Lead the development, mobilisation and delivery of complex strategic programmes, ensuring alignment with Trust priorities, statutory requirements and system plans.
• Provide senior leadership to multidisciplinary programme teams, creating a high-performing, accountable and delivery-focused culture.
• Develop and maintain programme strategies, business cases, delivery plans, milestones, benefit realisation frameworks and resource plans.
• Ensure robust governance, assurance and reporting arrangements are in place, including escalation of risks, issues, dependencies and decisions to the appropriate forum.
• Work with clinical, operational and corporate leaders to design and implement service transformation, pathway redesign and new operating models.
• Lead stakeholder engagement and communication activity to secure commitment, manage resistance to change and maintain confidence in delivery.
• Direct the development of options appraisals, impact assessments and evidence-based recommendations to inform executive and Board decision-making.
• Oversee programme finances, including budget planning, forecasting, benefits tracking and delivery of value for money.
• Ensure programmes are supported by appropriate analytical insight, demand and capacity assumptions, workforce planning and performance measures.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the full job description & person specification attached -

This job description is intended as an outline of the general nature and level of work of the post. It is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties appropriate to the grade and scope of the role, following discussion with the line manager.