About this role
Job summary
3-year term: This post will be offered as a fixed-term contract for candidates from outside the NHS or as a secondment for those employed by an NHS organisation.
Please note: This opportunity is only open to applicants currently working within the East of England region. When stating your current employer, please also include the area in which you work.
Do you want to help deliver a programme that will transform lives across Essex? WorkWell is a major investment supporting people whose health affects their ability to find, stay in or return to work. By bringing together partners from health, care, local government, employment services and the voluntary sector, the programme aims to improve health, wellbeing, confidence and access to employment for thousands of residents.
We are seeking an experienced Programme Lead to drive the development and delivery of the Essex WorkWell model. You will oversee the mobilisation and implementation of a £6.3 million programme, ensuring contractual, performance and outcome targets are achieved. Acting as the key link between the Essex system, the National Support Team and Regional Adviser, you will provide strategic leadership across organisational boundaries.
You will work closely with senior leaders and partners to embed learning, drive improvement and support system-wide adoption, ensuring WorkWell aligns with wider priorities including neighbourhood health, prevention, reducing economic inactivity and health and care transformation.
Main duties of the job
You will lead the strategic development and continual refinement of the Essex WorkWell operating model, ensuring alignment with national policy, local priorities and emerging evidence. You will interpret highly complex national guidance, legislation and policy and translate these into local strategies, frameworks and delivery plans. You will lead the development and implementation of system-wide policies, programmes and service improvements which impact across partner organisations and identify opportunities for innovation, service redesign and integration with wider health, care and employment pathways.
You should be experienced in strategic leadership in relevant commissioning functions as outlined in the ICB model blueprint and have substantial experience of working at a senior level in a relevant healthcare environment (NHS or other) and across complex health and care systems with demonstrable impact. Strong data analysis and interpretation skills involving highly complex data, including an understanding of analytical methods and how to use data to support Population Health Management is essential, along with the ability to use research and innovation effectively to improve outcomes. Accreditation or certification in learning and development, change management, project management or a related field would be desirable but is not essential.
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.
The Head of Learning and Change is a senior strategic leadership role responsible for providing system-wide leadership for the Essex WorkWell Programme across a complex partnership of NHS organisations, local authorities, employment support providers, voluntary and community sector organisations and wider stakeholders.
The postholder will lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of the Essex WorkWell delivery model, ensuring successful mobilisation and delivery of a 6.3 million pound programme and achievement of contractual, performance and outcome requirements. They will be responsible for translating national policy and programme requirements into local strategy and delivery plans that support both national objectives and local system priorities.
Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the postholder will act as the principal strategic link between the Essex system, the National Support Team and Regional Programme Adviser, providing expert advice on learning, change, service transformation and work and health integration.
The role will provide leadership across organisational boundaries, influencing senior leaders and partners where there may be competing priorities, differing organisational objectives and no established precedent. The postholder will be accountable for ensuring that WorkWell learning, behavioural change, performance improvement and system adoption are embedded across the Essex health and care system and aligned with wider transformation programmes including neighbourhood health, prevention, economic inactivity reduction and Local Government Reorganisation.
As the ICB transitions to become a leaner, more focused strategic commissioning organisation the post holder will be expected to support WorkWell 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
Lead the strategic development and continual refinement of the Essex WorkWell operating model, ensuring alignment with national policy, local priorities and emerging evidence.Interpret highly complex national guidance, legislation and policy and translate these into local strategies, frameworks and delivery plans.Lead the development and implementation of system-wide policies, programmes and service improvements which impact across partner organisations.Identify opportunities for innovation, service redesign and integration with wider health, care and employment pathways.Lead the development of learning, capability and organisational development approaches that support sustainable system transformation.Ensure learning from programme delivery informs future strategy, policy development and commissioning decisions across Essex.Contribute to wider ICB strategic development and transformation agendas where there are significant interdependencies with WorkWell.Strategy and analysis
Lead the strategic analysis of complex performance, financial, workforce and population health information to support delivery of programme objectives.Interpret highly complex qualitative and quantitative data from multiple sources where there may be uncertainty, conflicting evidence or differing professional views.Develop strategic options and recommendations for senior leaders and partnership boards to inform decision making.Lead programme evaluation, benefits realisation and continuous improvement activities.Provide expert advice on learning, change management, behavioural change and system transformation.Produce high-level reports and briefings for Executive Directors, Boards, national programme teams and external stakeholders.Ensure service design and improvement activity is informed by lived experience, population need and evidence-based practice.Lead the identification and management of strategic delivery risks, dependencies and opportunities.Planning and organisation
Lead the strategic planning, mobilisation and delivery of the Essex WorkWell Programme across multiple organisations and sectors.Develop long-term plans and implementation strategies that support successful delivery of national and local objectives.Ensure appropriate governance, assurance and performance arrangements are in place to support programme oversight.Coordinate complex interdependent workstreams across multiple organisations, balancing competing priorities and resources.Lead recovery planning where delivery risks emerge and implement corrective action where required.Support the development of future sustainability plans and options for continuation beyond the funded programme period.Communications and Partnerships
Develop and maintain effective relationships with senior leaders across NHS organisations, local authorities, DWP, VCFSE organisations, providers and wider system partners.Influence strategic decision-making across organisational boundaries where there may be competing priorities, differing perspectives and significant barriers to agreement.Lead complex negotiations relating to programme delivery, partnership arrangements and service development.Present highly complex, sensitive and sometimes contentious information to Boards, senior leadership teams, advisory groups and wider stakeholder audiences.Act as an ambassador for WorkWell across Essex, building commitment, ownership and visible leadership support.Manage situations where programme performance, funding, delivery risks or organisational priorities may be subject to challenge or scrutiny.Establish and maintain effective relationships with national and regional programme leads to ensure compliance, effective reporting and adoption of best practice.Lead stakeholder engagement strategies that support behavioural change, service adoption and sustainable cultural change across the system.Financial and resource management
Hold responsibility for the effective management of the 6.3 million pound WorkWell programme budget and associated financial resources.Lead financial planning, monitoring and forecasting activities to ensure delivery within available resources.Ensure compliance with grant conditions, financial controls, governance requirements and audit standards.Identify and mitigate financial risks that may impact programme delivery or future funding.Ensure appropriate commissioning, procurement and contract management arrangements are implemented where required.Provide financial assurance and performance reporting to local, regional and national stakeholders.Team management and capability building
Provide strategic leadership to the WorkWell team and wider learning and change network.Lead recruitment, appraisal, performance management and workforce development activities.Create a culture of continuous learning, innovation and improvement.Develop leadership and capability across partner organisations to support delivery of work and health ambitions.Design and oversee learning and development programmes that support transformation at scale.Coach, support and influence senior leaders and stakeholders in leading change and service transformation.Other
Use initiative and work autonomously to deliver on requirements of the rolePrimarily desk-based work that requires use of visual display units, focused concentration and frequent participation in on-line or in person meetingsAble to use software required to develop report, including ability to deliver high quality documents through Microsoft suite (word, power point, excel) add any other software requirements here if not specifically included above 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:
National WorkWell Programme TeamRegional Programme AdviserDWP and Department of Health and Social Care representativesEssex ICB Executive and Senior Leadership TeamsLocal Authority Chief Officers and DirectorsPlace-based partnershipsEmployment support providersPrimary Care, Community and Acute ProvidersVCFSE leadersEmployer representatives and business networksNeighbourhood Health Programme leadsWider transformation and commissioning leadsSIRO, DPO and Information Governance teamsHealth & Wellbeing Board officers and senior staff
Person Specification
Personal Attributes and Values Essential
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 wide health system. A high level of self-awareness and emotional intelligence, with an understanding of own strengths and limitations.
Experience Essential
Experience of managing sensitive situations with patients, families, or carers and/or with wider advocating agencies. Experience of leading and delivering complex and contentious change and transformation projects and / or programmes at scale. Knowledge of the health, care and local government landscape, including relevant legislation, policies and guidance.
People & Culture Essential
Commitment to continuous improvement, organisation learning and achieving positive outcomes. Evidence of compassionate leadership. Experience in promoting diversity, inclusion and equality of opportunity.
Strategy & Analysis Essential
Experience in scoping and delivering effective evaluations of projects and interventions. Experience working at a strategic level, using analytical skills to address complex problems. Able to identify policy implications and how to manage potential competing priorities / interests in developing strategies.
Partnerships & Communities Essential
Experience of working across organisational boundaries in the development and delivery of projects. Excellent influencing and negotiation skills. Able to represent the organisation credibly and positively in internal and external meetings.
Qualifications Essential
Educated to Masters level (relevant focus) or equivalent managerial experience Evidence of sustained commitment to continuing professional development
Governance & Assurance Essential
Experience of leading projects requiring collective decision-making. Understanding of the importance of effective corporate governance. Able to balance the need to seek relevant board and executive support for decisions with the ability to work autonomously to drive delivery of decisions.
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)