About this role
Job summary
This is a fixed term / secondment until 31/03/2027.If you are a Hywel Dda University Health Board employee and are applying for this post as a secondment, agreement for the secondment is needed from your current manager prior to application.
Turn good ideas into better services. Scale what works. Make change happen.
We are looking for a forward-thinking innovation and improvement professional to help drive meaningful change across health and social care in West Wales.
This role is about bringing innovation to life by spotting what is working, helping ideas grow and supporting partners to turn improvement activity into tangible outcomes for communities.
Main duties of the job
You will sit at the heart of regional innovation and improvement activity, working closely with partners to connect people, ideas and programmes that can transform how services are delivered.
You will:
Identify promising innovation and improvement activity with potential to be adopted or scaled Coordinate and support regional projects, pilots and improvement programmes Work with partners across health, social care, academia and the wider public sector to support joined-up solutions Promote learning, spread good practice and support a culture of continuous improvement Translate national priorities into practical local action that delivers real impact This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys working across systems, navigating complexity and helping change move from concept to delivery.
About us
Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.
We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.
We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.
Our services are provided in:
Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 99 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services
Job description Job responsibilities
You will be confident, collaborative and outcomefocused, with a passion for innovation that improves services for our communities. You will bring:
Experience working in innovation, improvement, quality improvement and/or service transformation A great track record of managing projects and delivering change at pace An ability to work closely with a wide range of stakeholders and influence across organisational boundaries Excellent communication and facilitation skills A practical mindset, focused on solutions, learning and impact Why join us?
This is a chance to play a visible role in shaping innovation and improvement across a whole region, helping create better services through collaboration, creativity and shared learning. You will be trusted to lead, connect and influence, supported by a team committed to doing things differently and doing them better.
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Interviews will be held on 29/05/2026.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge Essential
Masters level education or demonstrable equivalent experience in Research, Innovation and Improvement Experience of working in a Research, Innovation and Improvement environment Knowledge of Research, Innovation and Improvement Tools and Techniques Continuous Improvement or Quality Improvement qualification or relevant experience of applying CQ / CQ methodology
Desirable
PRINCE II
Experience Essential
Proven track record in managing and delivering high quality and successful RI&I initiatives Experience in delivering innovative solutions for organisational improvement Demonstrable experience of introducing service improvement and managing change Demonstrable experience of facilitating a range of activity to a variety of audience Experience of collaborative working across a range of partners Experience in qualitative and quantitative data analysis
Desirable
Extensive previous experience within public services NHS experience Project Management
Other Essential
Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner Flexible approach to needs of the service
Desirable
Welsh Speaker (Level 1)
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 Hywel Dda University Health Board
Address Block C, Government Buildings
Picton Terrace
Carmarthen
SA31 3BT
Employer's website https://hduhb.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)