Ready to shape the future of healthcare across Greater Manchester? Join the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance as a Programme Manager and play a pivotal role in delivering ambitious programmes that strengthen the workforce, transform services and support exceptional care for people affected by cancer.
Hosted by The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance is one of 20 Cancer Alliances in England, bringing together NHS organisations and partners to drive improvement, innovation and collaboration across the health and care system. In this strategic role, you'll lead a portfolio of complex programmes and projects, translating national priorities into practical solutions that improve services, develop workforce capability and support system-wide transformation.
Working closely with senior leaders, clinicians, education providers and partners, you'll build collaborative relationships, influence change and deliver measurable improvements aligned to NHS planning guidance and local priorities. You'll also play a key role in the continued development of GM Academy+.
If you're an experienced programme manager who enjoys leading complex programmes, working collaboratively and making a lasting impact, we'd love to hear from you. This is a 1.0 WTE fixed-term opportunity until 31 March 2028. Secondment opportunities will be considered.
The Programme Manager will:
- Lead the planning, delivery and evaluation of a portfolio of strategic programmes and projects that support organisational priorities across Greater Manchester.
- Develop and manage collaborative relationships with NHS organisations, education providers and system partners to deliver transformational change.
- Lead complex projects from initiation through to implementation, ensuring delivery against agreed objectives, timescales and performance measures.
- Translate national policy and strategic priorities into practical programmes that improve services, workforce capability and patient outcomes.
- Monitor programme performance, manage risks and resources, and provide high-quality reports, presentations and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
- Provide leadership, guidance and line management to members of the Workforce and Education Team, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Contribute to the development of GM Academy+, supporting innovative approaches to education, workforce development and system-wide collaboration.
Please see job description for full list of responsibilities.
The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, looking after more than 64,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 25% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.
We are the largest radiotherapy provider in the NHS with one in 20 treatments delivered at The Christie. We have up to 15 linear accelerators operating across our network of sites. We operate the largest chemotherapy unit in the UK on our main site and treatments are also provided at 13 other networked sites, and in patients homes. And as a specialist tertiary surgical centre, we focus on rare cancers, complex procedures, and multidisciplinary approaches to cancer surgery, specialising in colorectal, peritoneal, gynaecological, urological and plastic surgery.
We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We have been named by the UK’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), as one of the best hospitals providing opportunities for patients to participate in clinical research studies, with more than 800 studies open at any time, caring for over 3,000 patients.
LEADERSHIP AND EXPERTISE
- Provide day-to-day leadership for a portfolio of programmes, working collaboratively with stakeholders across the system to deliver agreed priorities.
- Lead the planning, implementation and evaluation of initiatives aligned to national, regional and local priorities.
- Act as a subject matter expert, providing advice and guidance on workforce transformation, education and service improvement.
- Maintain an up-to-date understanding of national policy, workforce developments and emerging best practice, translating these into local delivery.
- Work across organisational boundaries, using effective programme and project management approaches to deliver outcomes and respond to changing priorities.
- Provide line management and professional support to members of the team where appropriate.
- Work flexibly across the organisation, providing leadership and programme management support to other Programme Managers and portfolios where service need or organisational priorities require.
ORGANISATION
- Develop and maintain effective relationships with providers, system partners, education organisations and other stakeholders to support priorities.
- Work collaboratively across health and care organisations to identify opportunities for workforce transformation and service improvement.
- Ensure patient, public and stakeholder engagement is embedded
- Build effective partnerships with education providers and national organisations to support collaborative working and reduce duplication.
COMMUNICATION AND SUPPORT
- Act as the lead contact for allocated programmes of work.
- Prepare and present reports and presentations for governance groups and senior stakeholders.
- Communicate complex information clearly to a wide range of audiences, supporting informed decision making.
- Provide regular updates on programme progress, risks and opportunities, escalating issues where appropriate.
- Develop effective working relationships across organisations to support successful programme delivery.
SYSTEMS AND DATA MANAGEMENT
- Analyse data to inform programme planning, workforce development and continuous improvement.
- Work with colleagues to develop outcome measures and evaluate the impact of initiatives.
- Ensure information is managed appropriately and in accordance with relevant information governance requirements.
- Research and interpret national guidance, evidence and best practice to support programme development.
PLANNING AND REPORTING
- Support the development and delivery of workforce and education plans that align with organisational priorities, NHS planning guidance and national workforce strategies.
- Develop, monitor and report against programme plans, milestones, risks and performance measures.
- Produce high-quality reports, business cases and briefing papers to support governance and decision making.
- Lead the evaluation of programmes and projects, identifying learning and opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Maintain programme documentation, including risk registers, action plans and reporting mechanisms.
- Contribute to organisational reporting, annual reports and service reviews as required.
FINANCIAL AND PHYSICAL RESOURCES
- Manage allocated programme budgets and commissioned activity, ensuring effective use of resources.
- Support procurement activity and the commissioning of external services where required.
- Identify funding opportunities and contribute to the development of business cases and funding proposals.
- Support workforce planning and resource management to ensure successful delivery of programme objectives.
EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY
- Promote equality, diversity and inclusion throughout all programmes and activities.
- Ensure equality considerations are incorporated into programme planning, delivery and evaluation.
- Carry out duties in accordance with Trust policies, legislation and best practice, promoting an inclusive culture for colleagues, partners and service users.
