Senior Programme Manager- Operational Performance

Go back University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

The closing date is 28 September 2026

Senior Programme Manager
- Operational Performance - Band 8C

East Midlands Cancer Alliance (EMCA)

Location:
County Hall, Leicester (Hybrid Working)

Band: 8C

Lead regional transformation. Improve cancer outcomes. Shape the future of NHS cancer services.

The East Midlands Cancer Alliance (EMCA) is looking for an outstanding Senior Programme Manager to provide strategic leadership for some of the NHS's most ambitious cancer improvement programmes.

This is an exceptional opportunity to lead large-scale transformation across one of England's largest Cancer Alliances, working with NHS England, Integrated Care Boards, provider Trusts, clinical leaders and system partners to deliver sustainable improvements in cancer services.

If you're an experienced strategic leader with a track record of delivering complex transformation programmes across organisational boundaries, we'd love to hear from you.

As a Senior Programme Manager, you will provide leadership across a significant portfolio of operational and transformational programmes, ensuring national priorities are translated into measurable improvements for patients across the East Midlands.

Working directly with senior executives, clinicians and national colleagues, you will oversee programme delivery, governance, operational performance and assurance across eight NHS provider organisations and five Integrated Care Boards.

What you'll do

This is a senior leadership role where you will:

Lead the delivery of complex regional cancer transformation programmes.

Develop and implement operational performance improvement strategies.

Provide executive leadership for cancer performance improvement, including Cancer Waiting Times.

Oversee governance, assurance, programme risks and delivery milestones.

Key areas of responsibility

You will provide senior leadership across a wide range of strategic programmes, including:

Cancer operational performance and recovery

Regional transformation programmes

Diagnostic and treatment pathway redesign

Service Development Funding (SDF)

Strategic planning and business development

Governance, assurance and risk management

Expert Clinical Advisory Groups (ECAGs)

Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years ).

We have four primary goals:

• high-quality care for all,
• being a great place to work,
• partnerships for impact,
• research and education excellence

And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.

Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:

• we are compassionate,
• we are proud,
• we are inclusive,
• we are one team

This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.

About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:

About you

We're looking for an experienced senior leader who can operate confidently across complex healthcare systems.

You’ll bring:

A Master's degree (or equivalent experience) with evidence of continuing professional development. Further specialist training or qualifications equivalent to doctoral level are desirable.

Significant experience leading large-scale transformation programmes within the NHS or similarly complex organisations.

Extensive knowledge of programme management, governance and operational performance.

Exceptional leadership,…