Do you have significant experience leading complex, high-cost programmes and delivering impactful change at scale?
We are looking for a Deputy Programme Director to join our Portfolio Management Directorate and work to deliver the Future NHS Workforce Solution Programme within NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA).
This is a senior leadership role, responsible for supporting the delivery of a nationally critical transformation programme. The FWS will build on the success of the Electronic Staff Record (ESR), the NHS’s national HR and payroll system used by over 1.9 million colleagues across England and Wales.
This role offers a unique opportunity to shape and deliver a large, complex programme that is central to the future of NHS workforce services.
The role will be appointed on a permanent basis and is being recruited to primarily support a specific workstream within the Future NHS Workforce Solution Transformation Programme, which is scheduled to run until 2030.
This is a national role with hybrid working. Regular travel will be required for collaboration, governance forums and supplier engagement.
What do we offer?
- 27 days leave (increasing with length of service) plus 8 bank holidays
- Flexible working (we are happy to discuss options such as compressed hours)
- Hybrid working model
- Career development
- Active wellbeing and inclusion networks
- Excellent pension
- NHS Car lease scheme
- Access to a wide range of benefits and high street discounts!
As Deputy Programme Director, you will be accountable to the Programme Director and Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) to lead delivery of a major, complex programme. The programme is part of the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) and operates within a highly complex, multi-stakeholder national environment.
You will:
Lead the delivery of programme outcomes, ensuring alignment to agreed time, cost and quality constraints
Build and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders across NHSBSA, DHSC, NHS organisations and suppliers
Provide leadership and direction to multi-disciplinary teams, creating a high-performing delivery environment
Oversee programme governance, reporting and assurance activities, including external assurance requirements
Lead on business case development, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and securing approvals
Manage programme risks, issues and dependencies, ensuring effective mitigation and escalation
Drive benefits realisation, ensuring the programme delivers measurable value
About you
You will be an experienced programme delivery professional with a proven track record of leading complex transformation initiatives in challenging environments.
You will bring:
Strong, inclusive leadership skills with the ability to engage and influence at senior levels
Experience delivering large-scale programmes, ideally within government or the NHS
Confidence working in complex, ambiguous environments with significant stakeholder engagement
The ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and drive delivery at pace
Experience managing programme governance, assurance and external scrutiny
You will be comfortable operating with a high degree of autonomy and accountability, while supporting and deputising for the Programme Director as required.
Following shortlisting, we anticipate 1 st round conversations to take place week commencing 29 th June. Successful candidates will then be invited to a final stage, week commencing 13 th July.
This role may close early if a sufficient number of applications are received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Here at the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), what we do matters.
We manage the NHS Pension scheme, process prescription payments and much more. Our services are used by NHS organisations, contractors and the public: we’re proud to be part of something meaningful, that touches millions of lives.
We design our services around customer needs and place people at the heart of our organisation. That’s why when you join us, you’ll be empowered and supported to help your career grow.
As one of the UK’s Best Big Companies to work for, we’re connected to our values: Collaborative, Adventurous, Reliable and Energetic. We care about our people, our purpose, and your progress.
We strive to offer a fantastic colleague experience, where every colleague is heard, supported and respected. Wellbeing, diversity and inclusion is at the centre of this, and you can join our Lived Experience Networks who help us bring our authentic selves to work.
We’re committed to being a flexible employer and we try to offer a working pattern that suits you where possible, through hybrid working, flexible hours and more.
Alongside a competitive salary with pay progression, we offer a people-centric benefits package, connecting you to the rewards and benefits you value most!
Ready to join us in delivering business service excellence to the NHS, helping people live longer, healthier lives? Apply today and see where the NHSBSA can take you.
We are people connected to care.
In this role, you will be accountable for:
Establishing robust governance and assurance, managing risks and issues, and ensuring readiness for change.
Managing multiple stakeholder groups in complex environments, build consensus across diverse stakeholders, and develop strategic relationships with internal and external suppliers, with the support of the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO).
Building and leading high-performing, multidisciplinary programme teams, ensuring delivery to time, cost, and quality.
Ensuring strategic alignment of the transformation programme, to both NHSBSA and the wider NHS strategies and plans (ensuring technology, commercial, and people aspects are considered).
Developing Business Cases, (as per HM Treasury’s five case model) and securing approvals from Programme Board, SRO, DHSC, Cabinet Office, and HM Treasury.
Managing a significant Transformation Programme budget, ensuring that the Programme is delivered within the agreed budgetary commitments, in line with the agreed delegated authority and tolerances set, whilst delivering taxpayer value.
Representing the NHSBSA and the programme working with senior stakeholders to identify, escalate and resolve issues and mitigate significant risks to delivery.
Establishing proportionate and effective governance in line with NHSBSA and wider system standards, engaging with and influencing a range of strategic stakeholders providing regular updates to Cabinet Office, NISTA, DHSC and NHS sponsors, commissioners and users ensuring alignment to the NHSBSA portfolio management framework and other best practice guidelines.
Overseeing the procurement and implementation of products and solutions which replace the existing legacy platform(s), in line with national, regional and local commercial strategies, ensuring value for the taxpayer.
Providing strategic leadership to monitor and maximise benefit delivery.
Ensuring smooth transition to live service and implementation of new solutions, replacing legacy platforms where applicable
Ensuring the programme management office function, can deliver accordingly with the necessary skills and capabilities to meet the programmes internal and external demands and delivers in accordance with portfolio and programme management frameworks and ‘best practice’ using digital tools and data insights to inform decisions and track delivery.
Ensuring quality assurance of dependency management and alignment with business governance.
Embedding sustainability and social value into programme design, procurement and delivery.
Working in partnership with Directors and colleagues across the business to ensure the full engagement of all colleagues in their area and support in the delivery of the NHSBSA’s portfolio management purpose and vision.
Providing professional leadership to all programme team colleagues at all levels throughout the NHSBSA, lead and oversee the day-to-day performance of staff in line with NHSBSA HR processes ensuring the active adoption of the GROW appraisal system and compliance with all mandatory training as specified by the organisation.
Role modelling NHSBSA CARE values and behaviours, ensuring compliance with health and safety, financial stewardship, and equality standards.
