Programme Manager

Programme Manager – NHS Blood and Transplant

UK JOB OPPORTUNITY | BAND 8A | HYBRID WORKING

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is recruiting a Programme Manager to join its Digital Data & Technology Services (DDTS) team.

This is a Band 8a, full-time, fixed-term position with a salary of £57,528–£64,750 per year.

IMPORTANT: This vacancy is NOT eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have another valid means of establishing the right to work in the UK.

Job Snapshot

About the Role

The successful candidate will join a highly skilled programme and project management team within NHSBT’s Digital Data & Technology Services (DDTS) directorate.

You will lead either large, complex projects or a smaller programme, helping NHSBT deliver strategic change across a challenging and rewarding environment.

You will use your programme and project management expertise to:

• Drive complex change and delivery.
• Translate strategic objectives into practical delivery plans.
• Manage risks, dependencies, budgets and resources.
• Support transformation across NHSBT.
• Deliver measurable programme benefits.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams.
• Ensure projects meet agreed time, cost and quality requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the scoping, definition and planning of complex programmes and projects.
• Translate strategic objectives into clear delivery plans.
• Manage the complete programme/project lifecycle.
• Apply NHSBT standards and P3M methodology.
• Manage financial, human and technical resources.
• Lead programme delivery, planning and budgeting.
• Manage risks, issues and dependencies.
• Support business readiness and lessons learned.
• Manage stakeholder engagement and communications.
• Identify, track and deliver programme benefits.
• Ensure measurable value for NHSBT, donors and patients.
• Provide leadership to multidisciplinary teams.
• Support staff development and performance.
• Manage complex programme milestones and quality requirements.
• Ensure delivery remains within agreed budgets and timescales.

Essential Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent senior-level experience.
• Programme Management qualification such as MSP Practitioner, MSP Advanced Practitioner or equivalent experience.
• Project Management qualification such as APM Registered Project Professional, Major Projects Leadership Academy or PRINCE2.
• Risk Management qualification such as MoR or equivalent experience.
• Better Business Cases – Five Case Model training or equivalent experience.

Essential Experience

• Significant experience leading complex change programmes and specialist projects.
• Evidence of delivering measurable programme benefits.
• Extensive experience as a Programme Manager.
• Experience managing complex specialist programmes from beginning to end.
• Experience developing business cases using the Five Case Model.
• Experience navigating public-sector approval processes.
• Strong risk, issue, governance and assurance management experience.
• Senior-level stakeholder engagement experience.
• Experience developing communications plans.
• Line management experience.
• Performance management and staff development experience.
• Experience managing budgets and procurement in a public-sector environment.
• Experience delivering benefits realisation and change management in complex environments.

Hybrid Working

NHSBT classifies this role as a hybrid position.

The majority of duties will be performed from home, with the successful candidate assigned to an NHSBT centre closest to their home address.

Due to the national nature of the role, travel to other NHSBT locations may be required, including occasional irregular hours and overnight stays where necessary.

Possible NHSBT Locations

• Barnsley Blood Centre – South Yorkshire
• Tooting Blood Centre – London
• Birmingham Blood Centre
• Bristol Filton Blood Centre
• Liverpool Speke Blood Centre
• Colindale Blood Centre – London
• Manchester Blood Centre

What NHSBT Offers

Annual Leave

• 27 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays.
• 29 days after 5 years of service.
• 33 days after 10 years of service.

NHS Pension

Access to the NHS Pension Scheme.

Learning & Development

NHSBT supports continuous professional development through its learning culture and Thrive programme.

Health & Wellbeing

Access to occupational health, employee assistance services and wellbeing resources.

VISA SPONSORSHIP – IMPORTANT

CERTIFICATE OF SPONSORSHIP IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THIS VACANCY.

The official advert specifically states that this vacancy is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

Applicants who require employer-sponsored permission to work in the UK should not apply unless they have another valid means of establishing their right to work in the UK.

Closing Date

6 September 2026 at 23:59

Expected Interview Date

18 September 2026, subject to confirmation.

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity may suit experienced professionals with backgrounds in:

• Programme Management
• Project Management
• Digital Transformation
• NHS/Public Sector Change
• Technology Programmes
• Business Case Development
• Risk & Governance
• Benefits Realisation
• Change Management
• Senior Stakeholder Management

Employer

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT)

NHSBT employs more than 6,000 people and plays a unique role within the NHS, supporting blood, organ, tissue and stem cell donation services across the UK.

Application deadline: 6 September 2026

Please review the official vacancy, job description and person specification carefully before applying.

Important: Always verify sponsorship availability and right-to-work requirements directly from the official vacancy before applying.