About this role
Job summary
We are seeking an exceptional Director of Portfolio and Strategy to join our NWLP team and continue to shape the future of pathology services.
Driven by visionary leadership, strategic investment and transformative initiatives, NWLP has grown into one of the UK's most forward-thinking diagnostic service providers. We are recognised as pioneers in England for establishing one of the first fully integrated NHS pathology networks.
As a key member of the NWLP Executive Team, you will:
Provide strategic and operational leadership for a complex and far-reaching portfolio of programmes and projects for NWLP. Ensure the effective management of the NWLP portfolio, aligning programmes and projects with the organisations strategic objectives. Maintain strong partnerships across NHS organisations, integrated care systems and external stakeholders across organisational and system boundaries. Operate with a very high degree of autonomy, interpreting national policy, system priorities and organisational strategy to shape the portfolio and strategic delivery agenda. As a thriving pathology network, NWLP continues to have an exciting future ahead as we work to deliver our strategic goals, focusing on our people, operational excellence, sustainability, innovation, technological advancement, and delivering value for our clinical users and patients.
Main duties of the job
To provide inspirational leadership to the NWLP senior management teams and seniorleaders and professionals across the organisation in service of delivering the NWLP visionand strategy. Implement change management strategies that support the cultural and operational shiftsrequired for transformation, ensuring staff engagement and buy-in at all levels. Develop project scopes, budgets and programmes. Prepare highly complex and detailed reports and business cases that require sustained concentration and intensive focus toensure they accurately reflect strategic objectives and financial impacts. Drive the development of business cases for NWLP for major projects, securing investmentand funding as required.
About us
Benefits include career development, flexible working, staff wellbeing programmes, staff awards and recognition scheme. We also have available benefits including Cycle to Work, car lease schemes, season ticket loan or membership options for onsite leisure facilities.
Environmental sustainabilityClimate change and poor air quality is a health emergency that harms people's health and wellbeing and widens health inequalities. The Trust is also committed to reducing its impact on the environment by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions to Net Zero by 2045. All our employees have a role to play, and we have an active green network that supports staff to act in ways that ensures that our services are efficient, sustainable and reduce our impact on the environment www.imperial.nhs.uk/about-us/our-strategy/green-plan
NWLP Induction
The NWLP induction will run on the first Monday of each month (provided it does not fall on a bank holiday) and includes laboratory training (for relevant laboratory roles). All new staff must attend the NWLP induction during their first week with NWLP.
2026-2027 start dates which you will be able to book once you have completed all your pre-employment checks.
Monday 2 November 2026
Monday 7 December 2026
Monday 4 January 2027
Monday 1 February 2027
Monday 1 March 2027
Monday 5 April 2027
Candidates are advised to consider these start dates before agreeing end of service date with their current employer.
Job description Job responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required.
For both overviews please view the Job Description attachment with the job advert.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications Essential
Postgraduate qualification or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in relevant area. Evidence of continuous professional development MoP certified to Practitioner Level or equivalent experience managing portfolios and strategic delivery
Desirable
Other project or programme management Qualification (e.g Prince 2, Agile) Continuous improvement qualification
Knowledge and Experience Essential
Significant experience operating at Director or equivalent senior leadership level within a complex NHS or comparable organisation Proven experience of leading large-scale transformation and change across organisational and system boundaries Experience of influencing Executive-level stakeholders and system partners (e.g. ICBs, NHS England) Strong financial management experience, including budgetary control and investment decision-making
Desirable
Experience of operating at executive level across NHS organisational boundaries. Knowledge and understanding of clinical services delivery, development, redesign, and best practice. Knowledge and clear understanding of the background of laboratory diagnostics current challenges and future trends.
Skills and Abilities Essential
Highly developed leadership, influencing and negotiation skills Strong analytical and decision-making capability Ability to manage complexity, uncertainty and competing priorities Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name North West London Pathology
Address St Mary's Hospital
Praed Street
London
W21NY
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.nwlpathology.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)