Programme Manager – Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Location: North Manchester General Hospital, Manchester
Salary: £57,528–£64,750 per annum, pro rata
Band: NHS Agenda for Change Band 8a
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Closing date: 22 September 2026
Reference: 349-NMGH-8189371-RL4-C
Employer: Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT)
Job Details
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting an experienced Programme Manager to join the North Manchester Clinical Group Programme Management Office.
This is a senior programme management opportunity involving leadership, delivery support, governance and assurance across a portfolio of complex clinical and operational transformation programmes.
The successful candidate will work with clinical, operational and corporate teams to deliver high-priority programmes focused on service improvement, productivity, access, quality and patient outcomes.
About Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust is a major NHS provider delivering care to more than 1 million patients and service users each year through 10 hospitals and extensive community services.
The Trust has a workforce of more than 30,000 people and offers opportunities to contribute to large-scale healthcare transformation and operational improvement.
In this role, you will work across clinical and non-clinical teams to support improvements in patient experience, staff wellbeing and service efficiency.
About the Role
The Programme Manager will lead and manage a portfolio of complex programmes and projects from initiation through implementation, evaluation and handover.
Key areas of work may include:
- Elective care improvement
- Productivity and efficiency
- Outpatient transformation
- Theatre productivity
- Clinical pathway redesign
- Service improvement
- Value improvement for patients
You will work closely with Senior Responsible Officers, clinical leaders, operational managers and corporate teams to establish clear objectives, deliverables, benefits and implementation plans.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead complex programmes and projects from initiation through to implementation, evaluation and handover.
- Develop programme briefs, project initiation documents, delivery plans and milestone plans.
- Maintain risk and issue logs, dependency maps and benefits trackers.
- Provide programme governance, assurance and appropriate escalation.
- Prepare information for programme boards, senior governance groups and Clinical Group leadership forums.
- Work with clinical and operational leaders to agree programme scope, objectives, deliverables and benefits.
- Analyse performance, activity, workforce, financial and quality information.
- Identify opportunities for improvement and support evidence-based decision-making.
- Facilitate workshops, task-and-finish groups and stakeholder sessions.
- Support productivity, efficiency, access and quality improvement programmes.
- Help ensure improvements are embedded into operational practice.
- Provide line management, coaching and support to project managers, project support staff or workstream leads where required.
- Promote consistent programme and project management methodologies.
- Support benefits realisation, risk management, dependency management and post-implementation evaluation.
Requirements / Person Specification
Essential qualifications and professional development:
- Degree-level education or equivalent senior experience.
- Formal project management qualification such as MSP or PRINCE2.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
Desirable qualifications:
- APM, Agile, Lean, QSIR or equivalent improvement/project qualification.
- Leadership or management qualification.
Essential experience:
- Significant experience managing complex programmes or projects within an NHS provider organisation.
- Experience of business case development, planning, governance, risk management and benefits realisation.
- Experience interpreting complex performance, financial, workforce and quality information.
- Experience identifying issues, developing options and making recommendations.
- Experience producing board-level reports.
- Experience facilitating workshops and influencing senior stakeholders.
- Experience working with clinical leaders and operational managers.
- Ability to manage competing priorities, interdependencies and deadlines across multiple workstreams.
- Ability to work autonomously within a complex and fast-paced environment.
- Experience leading through influence, coaching others and working through matrix arrangements.
- Experience of effective line management.
Desirable experience and knowledge:
- NHS acute, community or integrated care experience.
- Elective care, productivity, outpatient or theatre improvement experience.
- Experience using benchmarking tools, PLICS, Model Health System, Business Intelligence dashboards or similar platforms.
- Experience managing a portfolio through formal PMO arrangements.
- Experience working with commissioners and corporate teams.
- Knowledge of MFT priorities and Clinical Group structures.
- Knowledge of the North Manchester site and managed single-service arrangements.
Salary & Benefits
The salary for this permanent Band 8a position is £57,528 to £64,750 per annum, pro rata.
MFT also highlights access to professional development, digital tools and opportunities to contribute to transformational healthcare projects.
The Trust states that it is committed to supporting staff development and wellbeing and promoting an inclusive working environment.
Working Pattern
This is a full-time, permanent position based at:
North Manchester General Hospital
Delaunays Road
Crumpsall
Manchester
M8 5RB
United Kingdom
Visa / Right-to-Work
Skilled Worker sponsorship is available for eligible applicants.
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust states that applications from people who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside other applications.
Applicants requiring sponsorship should review the role’s eligibility and the latest UK immigration requirements before applying.
For applicants applying from overseas, the advert also notes that Skilled Worker applicants entering the UK may need to provide criminal record certificates covering countries where they have lived for the required period.
Application / Selection Process
Applicants should review the full Job Description and Person Specification provided with the vacancy before applying to ensure they meet the essential criteria.
MFT also provides its Inside MFT Your Candidate Place, which includes information about the Trust, its values, staff support, rewards and application guidance.
The Trust advises that vacancies may close early if a high level of applications is received, so early applications are encouraged.
Applications should reflect the applicant’s own experience, skills and motivations. MFT states that AI tools may be used for spelling, grammar or formatting support, but personal statements and role-specific responses should be written by the applicant.
Deadline
Closing date: 22 September 2026
The vacancy may close earlier if sufficient applications are received.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Skilled Worker visa sponsorship available for this Programme Manager role?
Yes. The advert states that applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome and will be considered alongside other applications.
What is the salary?
The salary is £57,528–£64,750 per annum, pro rata.
Is this a permanent position?
Yes. The role is offered on a permanent, full-time basis.
What NHS Band is the Programme Manager role?
The position is Band 8a under Agenda for Change.
Where is the job based?
The role is based at North Manchester General Hospital, Crumpsall, Manchester, M8 5RB.
What qualifications are required?
Applicants need degree-level education or equivalent senior experience, a formal project management qualification such as MSP or PRINCE2, and evidence of continuing professional development.
Do I need NHS programme management experience?
Significant experience managing complex programmes or projects in an NHS provider organisation is listed as an essential requirement.
When does the vacancy close?
The stated closing date is 22 September 2026, although MFT warns that the vacancy may close early if it receives a high level of interest.
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