Senior Programme Manager- Operational Performance

Job overview

Senior Programme Manager- Operational Performance – Band 8C

East Midlands Cancer Alliance (EMCA)

Location: County Hall, Leicester (Hybrid Working)

Band: 8C

Responsible to: Associate Director for Programmes

Lead regional transformation. Improve cancer outcomes. Shape the future of NHS cancer services.

The East Midlands Cancer Alliance (EMCA) is looking for an outstanding Senior Programme Manager to provide strategic leadership for some of the NHS's most ambitious cancer improvement programmes.

This is an exceptional opportunity to lead large-scale transformation across one of England's largest Cancer Alliances, working with NHS England, Integrated Care Boards, provider Trusts, clinical leaders and system partners to deliver sustainable improvements in cancer services.

If you're an experienced strategic leader with a track record of delivering complex transformation programmes across organisational boundaries, we'd love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

As a Senior Programme Manager, you will provide leadership across a significant portfolio of operational and transformational programmes, ensuring national priorities are translated into measurable improvements for patients across the East Midlands.

Working directly with senior executives, clinicians and national colleagues, you will oversee programme delivery, governance, operational performance and assurance across eight NHS provider organisations and five Integrated Care Boards.

What you'll do

This is a senior leadership role where you will:

• Lead the delivery of complex regional cancer transformation programmes.
• Develop and implement operational performance improvement strategies.
• Translate national policy into deliverable regional programmes.
• Provide executive leadership for cancer performance improvement, including Cancer Waiting Times.
• Oversee governance, assurance, programme risks and delivery milestones.

Key areas of responsibility

You will provide senior leadership across a wide range of strategic programmes, including:

• Cancer operational performance and recovery
• Cancer Waiting Times improvement
• Regional transformation programmes
• Diagnostic and treatment pathway redesign
• Service Development Funding (SDF)
• Strategic planning and business development
• Governance, assurance and risk management
• Expert Clinical Advisory Groups (ECAGs)

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

About you

We're looking for an experienced senior leader who can operate confidently across complex healthcare systems.

You'll bring:

• A Master's degree (or equivalent experience) with evidence of continuing professional development. Further specialist training or qualifications equivalent to doctoral level are desirable.
• Significant experience leading large-scale transformation programmes within the NHS or similarly complex organisations.
• Extensive knowledge of programme management, governance and operational performance.
• Exceptional leadership, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Experience developing long-term strategic plans and translating policy into delivery.
• Strong financial management skills, including oversight of significant programme budgets.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing organisational change.
• Outstanding communication skills with the ability to influence executive and clinical leaders across multiple organisations.
• A collaborative leadership style with a passion for improving patient outcomes.

Why join the East Midlands Cancer Alliance?

At EMCA you'll join a high-performing regional team delivering meaningful improvements in cancer care for more than five million people.

You'll have the opportunity to:

• Influence regional and national cancer strategy.
• Lead transformational programmes that improve patient outcomes.
• Work alongside nationally recognised clinical and operational leaders.
• Shape innovative approaches to service redesign and performance improvement.
• Build partnerships that deliver lasting change across the NHS.

We offer:

• Hybrid and flexible working.
• NHS Pension Scheme.
• Generous annual leave.
• Excellent learning and leadership development opportunities.
• A supportive, collaborative and ambitious working environment.

Working arrangements

The role is based at County Hall, Leicester, with hybrid working available. Regular travel throughout the East Midlands is required, including attendance at provider Trusts, Integrated Care Boards and regional meetings. The successful candidate will also work on-site within provider organisations when required to support operational performance recovery, pathway improvement, diagnostic transformation and service redesign.

Make a lasting impact

This is more than a programme management role—it's an opportunity to influence the future of cancer services across an entire region.

Your leadership will help deliver earlier diagnosis, faster treatment, improved patient experience and better outcomes for thousands of people affected by cancer every year.

Join the East Midlands Cancer Alliance and help shape the future of cancer care across the East Midlands.

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.