Programme Manager

Job summary

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There are two roles available, one permanent and one fixed term for 12 months.

As a Programme Manager at NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), you'll lead complex programmes that help deliver our strategic priorities and make a lasting difference for donors, patients and colleagues. You'll turn ambitious goals into clear plans, bringing together people, resources and expertise to deliver meaningful outcomes and measurable benefits. Working with senior stakeholders and multi-disciplinary teams, you'll provide leadership, direction and confidence in environments that can be complex and fast moving. This is an opportunity to contribute to work with real purpose, while using your expertise to drive change, improve services and help NHSBT continue saving and improving lives. Based on the NHSBT talent brand guidance, this role offers the chance to contribute, learn and progress while making a genuine impact.

This is a national role, requiring travel across England based on business needs. The role offers a hybrid working option. You will be assigned a base location, which could be one of the NHSBT main centres or blood centres. The exact location will be confirmed after the final interview and mutually agreed upon with the line manager during the verbal offer stage.

Main duties of the job

In this role you will be responsible for managing programmes or portfolios of projects from inception through to completion within the Clinical Services Directorate.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Lead high-profile programmes from planning through to delivery, helping NHSBT achieve strategic goals that save and improve lives.
• Shape clear delivery plans, governance arrangements and resources so that programmes achieve their outcomes, benefits and quality standards.
• Work closely with senior stakeholders to build support, influence decisions and keep programmes moving forward.
• Create visibility and confidence in delivery by monitoring progress, managing risks and resolving complex challenges.
• Lead benefits realisation activities, ensuring programme investment delivers measurable value for NHSBT, donors and patients.
• Support business readiness and change activities so that new ways of working are adopted successfully.
• Manage programme budgets and resources responsibly, ensuring effective use of public funds.
• Lead, coach and develop multi-disciplinary teams, creating an environment where people can learn, contribute and perform at their best.

You will be required to travel and spend time away from base, which will involve working irregular hours and overnight stays when required, with prior notice.

About us

It takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHS Blood and Transplant, you'll join a team of more than 6,000 people who are making a genuine difference to communities, families, friends, relatives and more across the UK. We play a unique and special role in the NHS by helping people do something extraordinary- donate blood, blood products, organs, tissues, or stem cells to save someone in need.

Our three core values are what set us apart. They guide and inspire everything we do. By being caring, expertly meeting the needs of our patients and our people, and accepting nothing less than the best quality, we can do extraordinary work and help our people to do something extraordinary in their career, too.

Three small words, one big difference - Caring, Expert and Quality. Together we'll save and improve more lives than ever. You will join us on our journey to create an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with, and we positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

Details

• Date posted: 16 October 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 8a
• Salary: £57,528 to £64,750 a year
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 009540
• Job locations: NHSBT, Capitol Way, England, South Yorkshire, S75 3FG, United Kingdom, NHSBT, Vincent Drive, Birmingham, West Midlands, B15 2SG, United Kingdom, NHSBT, 75 Cranmer Terrace, Tooting, London, SW17 0RB, United Kingdom, NHSBT, Long Road, Cambridge, CB2 0PT, United Kingdom, NHSBT, Plymouth Grove, Manchester, M13 9LL, United Kingdom, NHSBT, Christopher Martin Road, Basildon, Essex, SS14 3EZ, United Kingdom, NHSBT, 500 North Bristol Park, Filton, Bristol, BS34 7QH, United Kingdom, NHSBT, Holland Drive, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 4NQ, United Kingdom, NHSBT, Coxford Road, Southampton, SO16 5AF, United Kingdom, NHSBT, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9BQ, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

As a Programme Manager at NHS Blood and Transplant, you’ll lead complex, high-impact programmes that help deliver strategic priorities and improve outcomes for donors, patients and colleagues. Working with senior stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams, you’ll turn ambitious goals into successful delivery by driving change, managing risks, overseeing resources and budgets, and ensuring measurable benefits are realised. This is a fantastic opportunity to shape the future of Clinical Services, lead teams to success, and make a genuine difference while developing your career in a nationally influential role with hybrid working and travel across England as required.

What we offer:

• Hybrid working arrangements – because NHSBT works nationally, we’re able to offer hybrid working options that give you more flexibility to balance work with life.
• Flexible working options – we promote flexible working where the role allows. We’re happy to discuss what flexibility might look like for you.
• Generous annual leave - 27 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time) plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years’ service and to 33 days after 10 years.
• Inclusive pension scheme - the NHS Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme (not dependent on investment returns). Further details and outline of benefits can be found at: http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/information-about-nhs-pensions‎
• Supportive learning culture - we’ve fostered a culture of continuous learning where colleagues are well-led, engaged, and encouraged to grow. We support you in reaching your full potential, both in your current role and future career. Our Thrive program embodies our commitment to learning and development, offering a wide range of activities to support your personal and professional growth. It’s open to everyone at NHSBT, ensuring you have the resources to succeed and shine in your role.
• Health and wellbeing support – we offer confidential services including occupational health, employee assistance programme, and wellbeing resources. Our support is available to all colleagues and we endeavour to provide tailored workplace adjustments where possible.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we welcome applications from disabled candidates. We will talk with you to explore any adjustments that may help you during the recruitment process.

You can find more information about accessibility, our culture, and how we support applicants on the NHSBT Careers website:

• Read about our application process
• Learn more about our culture at NHSBT

To learn more, please see the job description and person specification. These can be accessed via the link below, or by clicking ‘Apply’ if you are viewing this advert on another site.