About this role
Job summary
Fixed Term/Secondment for 14 months to cover maternity leave
Position will be offered as a secondment if coming from an NHS organisation.Position will be offered as a fixed term contract if coming from an outside organisation
We are looking for an experienced and highly motivated Delivery Unit Manager to help drive delivery of Essex ICBs strategic priorities and our Population Health Improvement Plan.
You will be at the centre of priority project and programme coordination, assurance and performance reporting, working with senior leaders and programme teams to turn complex information into clear insights and action. You will support robust project planning, risk management and governance, challenge constructively where delivery is at risk and help prepare evidence-based updates for executive oversight.
This role will suit someone who combines strong analytical and programme management skills with the ability to build trusted relationships across organisational boundaries. You will work with colleagues and partners from across the health and care system to support collaborative delivery and system-wide improvement.
Join us for the opportunity to influence high-profile priorities, shape consistent ways of working and make a tangible contribution to better outcomes for communities across Essex.
Main duties of the job
You will support the oversight and delivery of the ICB's priority programmes and Population Health Improvement Plan. Key responsibilities include coordinating projects and programmes, monitoring performance, managing risks and issues, producing high-quality reports and assurance documentation, supporting governance and executive decision-making processes. You will analyse complex data and information, provide actionable insight and work with programme teams to maintain delivery momentum and resolve challenges. You will also support the development of consistent approaches to programme management, reporting and performance improvement across the ICB.
You should have significant experience of programme, project or transformation management within the NHS, wider public sector or a similar complex environment. You should demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills, experience using project tools and software, programme governance and risk management, and the ability to communicate complex information to a range of audiences. Experience of working across organisational boundaries, building effective stakeholder relationships and supporting large-scale change programmes is essential. You should be educated to Master's level or have equivalent experience. A recognised programme or project management qualification is desirable. Strong organisational skills, political awareness, and the ability to influence and challenge constructively are key.
About us
NHS Essex ICB is a statutory organisation responsible for the planning and funding of NHS services for around 1.9 million people across Essex. Our role as an ICB is to bring health and care services together, improve the health and wellbeing of our population and ensure equitable access to services and outcome for everyone. The organisations headquarters is Seax House, Chelmsford, and we operate a hybrid working model (2 office-based days) that includes working across Essex and from home. Essex ICB currently has offices in Brentwood, Harlow and Colchester, in addition to the Chelmsford HQ.
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity. We know that different experiences, ideas and perspectives help create a stronger and more innovative organisation that delivers better outcomes for patients. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, including people of all ages, disabilities, sex, gender identity or expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or personal circumstances. Our policies ensure all applicants are treated fairly and consistently throughout the recruitment process, including consideration of reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants.
Please note that the organisation does not hold a sponsorship licence.
Job description Job responsibilities
ROLE PURPOSE / SUMMARY
The Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) is a new organisation formed through the consolidation of three ICB areas in response to the NHSs ambition to deliver a more streamlined, strategic and cost-effective model of health commissioning. The ICB will oversee the commissioning of care for the approximately 2 million people who live in Essex. Operating within a reduced running cost envelope and aligned to the new requirements of ICBs in England, the ICB will focus on improving population health outcomes, health equity and smarter resource allocation.
This post will sit within the Corporate Services Directorate, which is committed to delivering high quality corporate services through collaboration across team boundaries, the adoption of new approaches and the use of modern technology. The directorate will create the conditions for the ICBs success by ensuring that its corporate functions are efficient, responsive and aligned to organisational priorities.
The Delivery Unit Manager will play a key role in supporting the ICBs streamlined operating model, helping the organisation maintain disciplined focus on a defined set of strategic priorities. Working as part of a small, high impact team, the postholder contributes to the coordination, oversight and assurance of priority programmes, ensuring that delivery is consistent, transparent and aligned with organisational expectations. Their work strengthens the ICBs ability to track progress, identify risks and maintain momentum across its most important areas of focus.
A central aspect of the role will be supporting the adoption of consistent delivery approaches across all priority areas. The postholder will work closely with programme leads and senior responsible officers to embed shared methodologies, reporting standards and performance frameworks. By promoting alignment and reducing variation, they help create a coherent delivery environment that enables the organisation to understand progress clearly and intervene effectively when challenges arise.
The postholder will act as a key point of coordination for data and intelligence relating to priority delivery. They will gather, analyse and synthesise information from multiple sources, ensuring that progress updates are accurate, timely and meaningful. Through structured monthly meetings with each priority area, the postholder assesses delivery confidence, identifies emerging risks and ensures that issues are escalated appropriately. Their work will support a culture of constructive challenge, accountability and evidence based decision making.
The postholder will provide practical support with delivery planning, risk management and performance tracking, helping SROs maintain a clear line of sight on progress and areas requiring attention. They also contribute to preparations for the CEOs quarterly performance meetings with executive directors, ensuring that discussions are grounded in robust analysis and a shared understanding of organisational priorities.
The role requires strong cross organisational coordination. The postholder brings together colleagues from clinical, operational and corporate teams to support collaborative working on key directives and shared priorities. They help ensure that interdependencies are understood, that information flows effectively and that priority programmes benefit from collective expertise and aligned effort. Their work strengthens organisational cohesion and supports the ICBs wider ambitions for improvement and transformation.
The manager also plays an important role in supporting the governance and reporting processes that underpin the ICBs approach to priority delivery. They ensure that progress reports, risks and key decisions are clearly documented and appropriately routed through central governance structures. Their contribution helps maintain transparency, strengthens assurance and supports the Executive Team in maintaining oversight of organisational performance.
Through strong analytical capability, disciplined coordination and a commitment to continuous improvement, the Delivery Unit Manager helps ensure that the ICB maintains focus on the outcomes that matter most. Their work enhances organisational delivery capability and supports the successful implementation of the ICBs strategic priorities.
As the ICB transitions to become a leaner, more focused strategic commissioning organisation the post holder will be expected to support the ICB in delivering on the three fundamental shifts set out in the NHS 10-year plan:
From Treatment to Prevention: Embedding preventative, personalised and population based approaches to commissioning.
From Hospital to Community: Championing care model redesign that supports community and neighbourhood health.
From Analogue to Digital: Enabling clinically driven transformation through digital innovation, data analytics and evidence based improvement.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To deliver on the job description set out above, the job holder will be expected to deliver on the requirements set out below:
Policy and service development
Implement policy developments that support effective project and programme management to support the delivery of the ICBs strategy and Population Health Improvement Plan
Ensure compliance with relevant ICB policies
Use research and innovation to inform service improvements or performance management
Strategy and analysis
Use of complex health data sets, including those relating to performance across activity, finance and quality to inform decision making
Analysis of complex qualitative and quantitative data relating required to support projects and programmes
Turning analysis into useful insights that can be used to inform decision making and delivery
Present complex data, information and insights, including qualitative and quantitative data, through clear and simple written and verbal briefings
Use of Population Health Management methodologies and tools to inform projects and programmes that will improve outcomes for patients and sustainability of health services
Planning and organisation
Support development and delivery of strategic project plans across the ICB, ensuring appropriate governance, risk management, escalations and reporting
Managing competing priorities, prioritizing own and team resources to effectively deliver on short, medium and longer term priorities
Ensure accurate reporting and records management
Support delivery of business plan for the Delivery Unit
Communications and Partnerships
Work collaboratively, modelling inclusive, respectful and compassionate leadership
Able to take account of a broad range of perspectives, including staff, patients and the public, to inform decision making
Present information and training to large groups
Build strong, trust-based relationships across the ICB, with NHS providers, local government, VCFSE partners and communities as needed
Effective engagement with patients and the public as required
Work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams to enable the collective ownership and delivery of projects that are seeking to improve outcomes, reduce inequalities and deliver a sustainable health and care system
Share complex and challenging information which may relate to service performance or staffing
Able to manage conflict, find compromise and persuade based on evidence as needed
Financial and resource management
Responsible for management of budget for the Delivery Unit, ensuring delivery against the agreed budget
Supports procurement of relevant services
Team management and capability building
Contribute to leadership of the Delivery Unit, including overseeing recruitment, onboarding, development and performance management of team members
Support staff through ICB transition, including the development of teams to deliver on new ICB portfolios as agreed through transition
Support the effective transition of relevant functions to new portfolios within or beyond the ICB to support the new NHS operating model, in line with the requirements of the Model ICB Blueprint
Work collaboratively with system partners to facilitate transitional arrangements
Maintain a focus on quality, safety and affordability during transition
Supporting effective Information Asset Management for the team
Other
Able to use initiative and work independently as needed to deliver on requirements of the role
Primarily desk-based work that requires use of visual display units, focused concentration and frequent participation in on-line or in person meetings
Able to use software required to develop report, including ability to deliver high quality documents through Microsoft suite (word, power point, excel), project management software (e.g. Aspyre) and nationally available tools to support best practice.
Flexibility and evolving responsibilities
As the ICB continues to evolve, portfolios may be subject to change to reflect the needs of the organization, the health and care system and national policy direction. This may include adjustments to areas of responsibility or realignment of reporting structures.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
The post holder will need to build constructive relationships with partners from across the health and care system. Key relationships will be with:
ICB senior leadership
Information Governance team
Local Authority partners
NHS Providers
NHSEI regional partners
Other system partners, such as VCFSE
Person Specification
Experience Essential
Experience of delivering complex and contentious change and transformation projects Experience of working at a senior level in a relevant healthcare environment (NHS or other) Uses technology to effectively plan work and evaluate effectiveness through audits
Personal Attributes and Values Essential
Advanced IT skills in Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook and excellent keyboarding skills Personal commitment to the values of the NHS 10-year Plan, the NHS People Plan, the Nolan Principles, to championing equality, diversity and inclusion within the ICB and the wider health system
Strategy & Analysis Essential
Able to translate complex information into clear communications for a range of audiences, including to deliver effective reports to senior leadership Experience using proven programme service development and project management methodologies to ensure delivery Enthusiasm for and experience of championing the critical role of technology and digitalisation in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery and associated outcomes
Governance & Assurance Essential
Experience delivering projects that require collective decision-making and how to negotiate success in those situations A good understanding effective corporate governance and the route for decision making within the ICB
Qualifications Essential
Educated to Masters level (relevant focus) or equivalent managerial experience Evidence of sustained commitment to continuing professional development
People & Culture Essential
Experience in leading and motivating teams, including recognising and promoting talent, as well as appropriately dealing with under-performance, when necessary Evidence of compassionate leadership and experience in promoting diversity, inclusion and equality of opportunity A commitment to continuous improvement, organisation learning and achieving positive outcomes for all staff, patients, service users and carers working in line with the NHS People Promise
Partnerships & Communities Essential
Experience working across organisational boundaries in the development and delivery of projects Experience working on projects that require cross organisational collaboration, and an understanding of the concept and aims of whole-system working Strong influencing and negotiation skills, challenging within areas of responsibility and escalating appropriately where necessary
Employer details Employer name NHS Essex Integrated Care Board
Address Seax House
Victoria Road South
Chelmsford
Essex
CM1 1QH
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.essex.icb.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)