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Job requirements
Essential
34 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Other Factors
Proven ability to work flexibly to meet the demands of the role
- Other Factors
Proven ability to travel across organisational and system sites as required
- Other Factors
Willingness to represent the Trust at regional and national meetings
- Other Factors
Commitment to the Trust's values and behaviours
- Other Factors
Proven ability to participate in senior management and escalation arrangements as required.
- Qualifications
Educated to Master's degree level or equivalent demonstrable experience.
- Qualifications
Evidence of continuing professional development at a senior leadership level.
- Qualifications
Formal qualification in programme management, leadership, improvement science or organisational development, or equivalent experience.
- Aptitude & Abilities
Exceptional strategic leadership and programme delivery skills.
- Aptitude & Abilities
Proven ability to influence, negotiate and build credibility with Executive Directors, clinicians and system partners
- Aptitude & Abilities
Proven ability to lead organisational change and transformation in complex and politically sensitive environments.
- Aptitude & Abilities
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with proven ability to interpret and communicate highly complex information.
- Aptitude & Abilities
Proven ability to balance strategic objectives with operational delivery requirements.
- Aptitude & Abilities
Proven ability to hold senior leaders and stakeholders to account for delivery.
- Aptitude & Abilities
Excellent communication, presentation and report-writing skills, including preparation of Board-level papers.
- Aptitude & Abilities
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver outcomes within demanding timescales.
- Aptitude & Abilities
Proven ability to develop productive relationships across organisational and professional boundaries.
- Aptitude & Abilities
Strong financial awareness with the ability to link programme delivery to productivity and financial improvement.
- Knowledge & Experience
Significant demonstrable senior leadership experience within a complex healthcare organisation, operating at Director, Deputy Director or equivalent level.
- Knowledge & Experience
Extensive demonstrable experience of leading large-scale transformation, recovery or improvement programmes across organisational boundaries.
- Knowledge & Experience
Demonstrable track record of delivering sustained improvements in Urgent and Emergency Care performance, patient flow, discharge, admission avoidance or operational recovery.
- Knowledge & Experience
Demonstrable experience of leading complex programmes involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities and significant organisational risk.
- Knowledge & Experience
Demonstrable experience of developing and implementing strategic plans and translating these into deliverable operational programmes.
- Knowledge & Experience
Significant demonstrable experience of programme governance, assurance, risk management and benefits realisation.
- Disposition / Attitude / Motivation
Visible, authentic and values-driven leader
- Disposition / Attitude / Motivation
Demonstrates resilience, tenacity and determination in delivering improvement
- Disposition / Attitude / Motivation
Strong commitment to improving patient outcomes, demonstrable experience and safety
- Disposition / Attitude / Motivation
Politically astute with proven ability to navigate complex organisational environments.
- Disposition / Attitude / Motivation
Collaborative and inclusive leadership style.
- Disposition / Attitude / Motivation
High levels of personal credibility, integrity and professionalism.
- Disposition / Attitude / Motivation
Self-aware, emotionally intelligent and able to lead with compassion.
- Disposition / Attitude / Motivation
Results-focused with a strong commitment to delivery and accountability.
- Disposition / Attitude / Motivation
Adaptable and comfortable operating in environments of ambiguity and change.
- Disposition / Attitude / Motivation
Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Desirable
13 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Other Factors
Established professional network within urgent and emergency care, operational performance or transformation communities
- Other Factors
Demonstrable experience of contributing to regional or national NHS improvement programmes.
- Qualifications
MBA or postgraduate management qualification.
- Qualifications
Accredited improvement methodology qualification (e.g. Lean, Six Sigma, Quality Improvement, Transformation Leadership).
- Qualifications
Registered healthcare professional qualification.
- Aptitude & Abilities
Demonstrable experience of facilitation and coaching senior teams.
- Aptitude & Abilities
Demonstrable experience of leading cultural and organisational development programme
- Knowledge & Experience
Demonstrable experience of leading system-wide recovery programmes across an Integrated Care System.
- Knowledge & Experience
Demonstrable experience of working with NHS England, Integrated Care Boards or regional improvement programmes.
- Knowledge & Experience
Demonstrable experience of leading major UEC, flow, discharge or productivity programmes at scale
- Knowledge & Experience
Demonstrable experience of working within a teaching or tertiary hospital environment.
- Disposition / Attitude / Motivation
Passion for innovation and continuous improvement.
- Disposition / Attitude / Motivation
Demonstrable experience of mentoring and developing senior leaders.
Job overview
We are seeking an exceptional and inspiring leader to join University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust as our UEC Programme Director on a 12 month FTC.
Working alongside Executive colleagues and system partners, you will lead delivery of our Urgent and Emergency Care Recovery Programme, driving improvements in patient flow, emergency care performance, discharge, admission avoidance and the elimination of corridor care.
This is a unique opportunity to shape strategic change at scale, influencing services across the Trust and wider health and care system to improve outcomes and experiences for patients.
We are looking for a credible, collaborative and delivery-focused leader with a proven track record of leading complex transformation programmes and achieving sustainable results.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
Main duties of the job
The UEC Programme Director will provide strategic leadership for the Trust's Urgent and Emergency Care Recovery Programme, ensuring delivery of recovery objectives through effective programme management, organisational influence and system-wide collaboration.
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the postholder will lead the Trust-wide UEC Recovery Programme, overseeing seven interconnected workstreams covering front-door standards, patient flow, ward processes, discharge, intermediate care, admission avoidance, Emergency Department performance and demand reduction.
Working closely with Executive Directors, Divisional Leadership Teams and system partners, the postholder will provide visible leadership across organisational boundaries, bringing together operational, clinical and transformation teams to deliver measurable improvements in patient safety, patient experience, access standards, flow, productivity and financial sustainability.
The role will drive delivery of priority improvement programmes, including the elimination of corridor care, reduction in long waits, improved ambulance handovers, enhanced discharge productivity and reduced avoidable admissions. The postholder will operate in a complex and politically sensitive environment, balancing immediate operational pressures with longer-term transformation objectives to support sustained UEC recovery and improved outcomes for patients.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. Strategic Programme Leadership
a) Provide executive leadership for the Trust's Urgent and Emergency Care Recovery Programme, ensuring delivery of agreed strategic, operational, quality, workforce and financial objectives across all recovery workstreams.
b) Act as the Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) for designated elements of the UEC Recovery Programme, ensuring delivery of agreed outcomes, benefits and performance trajectories.
c) Develop, maintain and oversee a single integrated recovery programme, ensuring clear alignment between operational priorities, service transformation, organisational objectives and system-wide programmes.
d) Identify, assess and resolve strategic barriers to delivery, influencing decision-making at Executive, Board and system level to ensure programme success.
2. Programme Delivery and Recovery Improvement
a) Lead the delivery of the Trust's programme to eliminate corridor care and improve urgent and emergency care flow, ensuring sustainable improvement in patient safety, patient experience and operational performance.
b) Ensure delivery of agreed recovery trajectories relating to Emergency Department performance, ambulance handovers, admission avoidance, patient flow, discharge performance and length of stay.
c) Hold Executive Leads, Divisional Directors, Clinical Leaders and Workstream Leads accountable for the delivery of agreed milestones, outcomes and benefits.
d) Challenge, influence and support senior leaders to remove barriers to delivery and accelerate recovery where performance falls below agreed trajectories.
For further information please see attached job description
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for UEC Programme Director with University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust in Plymouth, England. It is listed as a Band 9 Programme manager role. The advertised salary is £112,782 - £129,783 Per annum. The contract type is 12 months (Fixed Term). The application deadline is 18 Sep 2026.
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