About this role
Job summary
Are you an experienced transformation leader with a strong track record of delivering large-scale change within complex healthcare environments? We are seeking an exceptional Programme Director to join the Group Transformation Office and lead major transformation programmes across Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group.
This is a senior leadership opportunity where you will focus on operational recovery, pathway redesign, quality improvement, cost improvement and major service transformation across all three Trusts.As Programme Director, you will provide strategic and hands-on leadership across complex programmes, ensuring delivery of measurable outcomes, benefits realisation and strong programme governance. You will work closely with senior clinical and operational leaders to design and implement sustainable improvements that support patient care, operational performance and workforce transformation.
Main duties of the job
The role requires an agile and adaptable leader who can move across programmes and Trusts as priorities evolve, bringing consistent methodology, pace and delivery discipline. You will oversee programme governance, manage risks and dependencies, support operational readiness and ensure transformation initiatives are both ambitious and deliverable within frontline healthcare settings.
This Group-level role is primarily based in Norwich but requires regular travel across all three Trusts, including Great Yarmouth and King's Lynn.This is an exciting opportunity to shape and deliver transformational change at scale, working collaboratively across the Group to improve services, strengthen operational performance and support better outcomes for patients and staff.
About us
The newly formed Norfolk & Waveney University Hospitals Group (NWUHG) is placing people and culture at the heart of its transformation.
By working as one system, the Group is strengthening workforce development, improving staff experience and creating consistent, supportive leadership across all three hospitals. This unified approach enables better training, enhanced well-being support, and a stronger culture rooted in compassion, flexibility and continuous learning.
Focusing on people also supports national priorities - ensuring the workforce is skilled, adaptable and ready for the future models of care - and strengthens NWUHG's overall performance by improving qualify, resilience and sustainability.
Together, this creates a Groupwide commitment to making NWUHG a great place to work, with clear benefits for staff including:
Flexible working hours
Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
Multi Faith prayer room at NNUH Colney Lane site
Discounted Gym memberships
Generous pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
Wagestream - access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it
Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH Colney Lane site
Free 24 hour confidential counselling support
On-site Nursery at NNUH Colney Lane
On-site cafes offering staff discounts at NNUH Colney Lane
Support in career development
Flexible staff bank
Salary sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics
Job description Job responsibilities
The Programme Director is a senior leadership role within the Group Transformation Office, responsible for leading and delivering complex, large-scale transformation and change programmes across Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group. The postholder is an agile resource, deployable across any of the Group's three Trusts and across the full range of transformation and improvement priorities as they evolve over time.
The immediate and primary focus of the role is the One Recovery portfolio - the Group's flagship transformation programme - which spans operational recovery, pathway redesign, quality improvement, cost improvement and major service transformation across all three Trusts. The postholder will lead one or more of the One Recovery programmes, holding accountability for delivery outcomes, benefits realisation and robust programme governance. As the One Recovery portfolio matures and transitions to business-as-usual, the Programme Director's focus will flex to support subsequent Group transformation priorities as directed by the Group Transformation Director.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Formal programme management qualification (e.g. MSP, PRINCE2, APM, Lean) Degree-level education or equivalent experience
Experience Essential
Significant experience leading large-scale, complex transformation programmes within the NHS, healthcare, or similar complex environment. Experience of leading change across more than one programme or priority simultaneously, adapting quickly between different contexts.
Skills Essential
Ability to analyse complex data and translate insight into action. Ability to adapt rapidly to new programme contexts, building credibility and relationships quickly across different clinical and operational settings
Attitude Essential
Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
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 Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital
Address Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group
The Centrum, Norwich Research Park
Norwich
NR4 7UG
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.nnuh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)