Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is one of the largest NHS organisations in the country, serving a diverse population across Greater Manchester and beyond. As we continue to transform the way we deliver care, we are seeking an exceptional Programme Director (VSM) for Large Scale Change to play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering our ambitious improvement agenda.
Reporting to the Trust Director of Improvement and working closely with the Chief Delivery Officer, this senior leadership role will lead the development, implementation and delivery of a portfolio of large-scale transformation and improvement programmes that support safer, more effective and sustainable services for patients, carers and staff.
This is an outstanding opportunity for a highly experienced improvement leader with a proven track record of delivering complex organisational change within healthcare. You will work across organisational boundaries to embed a culture of continuous improvement, supporting leaders and teams to translate strategic ambitions into practical actions and measurable outcomes. As a visible and influential leader, you will champion MFT’s values, foster innovation and help build the capability, systems and culture required to ensure continuous improvement becomes part of everyday practice across the Trust.
The Programme Director will lead and drive a portfolio of complex, cross-organisational improvement and transformation programmes, ensuring delivery of measurable benefits across quality, operational performance, workforce, finance, patient experience and staff experience.
Working with senior clinical, operational and corporate leaders, the post holder will provide expert leadership and advice on large-scale change and organisational improvement, including urgent and emergency care improvement, pathway redesign, flow optimisation and performance recovery.
The role will be responsible for establishing robust governance arrangements, monitoring programme outcomes, tracking benefits realisation and ensuring improvement priorities remain aligned to organisational strategy. The post holder will coach and support leaders at all levels, helping teams build the confidence, skills and capability to lead and sustain improvement locally.
The successful candidate will work collaboratively with colleagues across MFT, the wider health and care system, academic partners and external stakeholders to develop innovative solutions to complex challenges, while promoting a culture of improvement supported by effective use of data, digital technologies and evidence-based improvement methodologies.
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe. We are an ambitious organisation, serving over 1 million patients and users annually through our 10 hospitals and extensive community services. With a workforce of 30,000 plus, we are a driving force for innovation, clinical excellence, and system leadership across Greater Manchester.
As a senior leader at MFT, you will shape strategy and transformation at scale, working alongside a diverse, high-performing executive team. Our £3bn plus turnover and leading-edge digital infrastructure, including the Hive EPR, enable us to deliver integrated, patient-centred care and drive continuous improvement.
We are committed to fostering an inclusive, values-led culture where your expertise, vision, and leadership will directly influence organisational direction and population health outcomes. You will have the opportunity to lead complex change, champion research and innovation, and develop future talent in a supportive, collaborative environment.
Join us to make a lasting impact—on our Trust, our communities, and the future of healthcare.
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the ‘Supporting Documents’ heading.
Explore ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place’
To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place . This welcoming one‑stop hub gives you a real sense of who we are — what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. You’ll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.
To access ‘ Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the ‘Supporting Documents’ section and once opened, you can where either scan QR code or click on the link provided.
Closing vacancy listings early
We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.
Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU—for our patients, our communities, and each other.
As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application—especially personal statements and responses to role-specific questions—is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.
Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.
