Search for more NHS jobs in Cambridge
Job requirements
Essential
35 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Skills
Proven leadership skills at a senior management level
- Skills
Excellent and effective verbal and written communication at a senior level
- Skills
Proven ability to work in an organised manner and to high standards
- Skills
Proven project management skills
- Skills
Excellent presentation skills for conveying complex concepts to a range of audiences
- Skills
Excellent attention to detail and the ability to meet multiple and competing deadlines
- Skills
Problem solving/trouble shooting skills
- Skills
Excellent skills in the use of Microsoft office applications (including Excel, Word and PowerPoint) and databases
- Skills
Highly developed communication and negotiation skills for delivering key and contentious messages to a range of stakeholders both internal and external (including outside the NHS) to the organization, some at very senior level
- Skills
Ability to use informed persuasion to influence others
- Skills
Ability to identify risks, anticipate issues and create solutions and to resolve problems in relation to or service delivery
- Skills
Ability to understand a broad range of complex information quickly and making decisions where opinions differ/no obvious solution
- Skills
Evidence of planning and delivering programmes and projects and services, on time
- Skills
Financial and staff management
- Skills
Ability to work without supervision, providing specialist advice to the organisation, working to tight and often changing timescales
- Skills
Ability to consider the most effective way to promote equality of opportunity and good working relationships in employment and service delivery and to take actions which support and promote this agenda.
- Knowledge
Extensive knowledge of strategy and policy within the Trust, region and NHS. Including an understanding of tertiary treatment pathways, commissioning of pathways and the future changes Cancer Alliances and networks will bring.
- Knowledge
Knowledge of auditing processes
- Knowledge
Knowledge and understanding of best practice risk management processes
- Knowledge
Must have a comprehensive understanding of the background to and aims of current healthcare policy and appreciate the implications of this on engagement
- Knowledge
Comprehensive understanding of the relationship between the Department of Health and Social Care, and individual provider and commissioning organisations
- Knowledge
Extensive knowledge of business and activity planning processes
- Knowledge
Extensive knowledge of risk management processes
- Knowledge
Knowledge of IT/technology used in a clinical environment
- Experience
Proven experience in senior operational management, covering multiple specialities and pathways. Knowledge of inpatient, outpatient and diagnostic requirements of pathways
- Experience
Proven experience in project management
- Experience
Experience in the development and use of a quality management system
- Experience
Proven experience of managing a team including: Appraisal skills, Recruitment and selection skills, Disciplinary and capability procedures, Experience in workforce planning to ensure service continuity
- Experience
Evidence of continuing professional development
- Experience
Experience in finance, policy and service development changes
- Experience
Substantial proven experience of budget management on a large scale (revenue and capital)
- Qualifications
Educated to First Degree Level or equivalent
- Qualifications
Educated to masters level or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in specialist areas
- Qualifications
Evidence of CPD
- Additional Requirements
The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.
Desirable
3 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Knowledge
Knowledge of research and development
- Qualifications
Postgraduate Management qualification
- Qualifications
Project Management or Change Management qualification
Job overview
The post holder will play a central role in shaping CUH’s neighbourhood health strategy—helping define future models of care, informing investment decisions, and ensuring that learning from pilots translates into scalable, sustainable change. The role focusu on the Integrated Urgent & Emergency Care portfolio, with the flexibility to support wider programme priorities as required.
Working collaboratively with senior stakeholders, the Strategic Project Lead will use data and evidence to guide decision making, and lead the design, testing and scale up of new models of care, addressing operational, cultural and financial barriers. The post holder will maintain an active awareness of the evolving national and local policy landscape, and any implications for our system. The role requires close collaboration with clinical and operational leaders across CUH and our partners, and offers wide exposure to our executive team and board, commissioners, primary/community care, and regional/national teams.
Main duties of the job
Have overall responsibility for developing and managing the operational implementation of strategic projects, including the development of the model and implementation plan (including the use of a risk register, escalating issues when required).
Identify and diagnose strategically relevant issues and opportunities (e.g. through horizon scanning), generating solutions, and iterating with relevant stakeholders.
Work with Divisional Directors, Finance, Workforce and external partners (e.g. charities), to assess and plan requirements for the delivery of strategies / major projects.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
This vacancy will close at midnight on 8th November 2026.
Interviews are due to be held on 19th November 2026.
All appointments with a start date on or after 1 October 2026 will be subject to a 12-week probationary period. This provides a structured and supportive period to help you settle into your role, with regular reviews and feedback.
Right to Work
As there is a 12-week probationary period, successful candidates are expected to have the Right to Work for a period of at least 6 months from the proposed start date. Immigration and Right to Work status will be discussed with successful candidates at conditional offer. CUH will not offer sponsorship to candidates that have applied for a fee waiver.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full-time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full-time permanent contract unless you have:
- applied for a Graduate visa
- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment
As per Home Office guidelines, please be aware that, unfortunately, the Trust is unable to offer sponsorship for this position.
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only café, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
WhatsApp job alerts
Get instant WhatsApp alerts for Band 8 Project manager roles in Cambridge
Create your Job Clerk account first. We'll collect your alert preferences during onboarding and help you turn on WhatsApp notifications for matching healthcare roles.
Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Strategic Projects Lead – Neighbourhood Health with Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Cambridge, England. It is listed as a Band 8 Project manager role. The advertised salary is £66,582 - £77,368 p.a. pro rata. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 08 Nov 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (22 Oct 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHSjob search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
For more context, review related Job Clerk pages for the same profession, band or location where they exist, then use the application-support guides to tailor your statement and prepare for interview.