Programme Manager; VCSE & Community

We are looking for an experienced Programme Manager to lead our work with voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations and communities across the West of England. This is a senior, purpose-driven role with the opportunity to build influential partnerships and lead complex programmes that tackle inequalities and improve people’s lives. You do not need to have worked in the NHS. We welcome applicants with senior programme leadership experience from voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations, local government, social care, public health, housing, education or other purpose-led settings.

We welcome applications from candidates seeking to work between 0.6 whole-time equivalent and full-time hours; please state clearly in your application the hours or working pattern you are seeking.

You will lead a developing portfolio focused on community partnership, equity and co-production. You will ensure communities and people with lived experience are equal partners in designing and delivering our work. A significant part of the role will be providing strategic leadership for our Black Maternity Matters programme. You will work with communities, maternity and neonatal (perinatal) services, local authorities and voluntary and community organisations to support anti-racist improvement and reduce inequalities.

You will also work closely with the Associate Director for Strategic Partnerships & Delivery, and other members of Leadership Team, to explore further opportunities for our organisation to understand and meet the innovation needs of the VCSE sector working in health & care. This will include joining and convening collaborative discussions with VCSE sector leadership and working closely with front-line organisations to scope collaborative projects for HIWE, informing future business planning.

• Lead complex, high-profile programmes from strategy through to delivery and evaluation working with colleagues across Health Innovation West of England.
• Develop trusted partnerships across communities, voluntary organisations and wider health and care services.
• Turn community insight, evidence and data into clear recommendations and action.
• Influence senior leaders, executives, boards and national partners.
• Embed equity, co-production and anti-racist practice across our work.
• Manage programme budgets, risks, outcomes and reporting.
• Lead, support and manage colleagues.
• Represent Health Innovation West of England locally, regionally and nationally.

You will bring:

• Significant experience of leading complex programmes, partnerships or portfolios.
• A strong understanding of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector or community-led approaches.
• Experience of working alongside communities and people with lived experience.
• The ability to influence senior decision-makers and work across organisational boundaries.
• Strong programme, financial and people management skills.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and relationship-building skills.
• A clear commitment to equity, inclusion, co-production and anti-racist practice.

Experience relating to health inequalities, maternity, public health or anti-racist practice would be valuable. However, we recognise that relevant expertise can come from many sectors and career paths.

At Health Innovation West of England, you will have the autonomy to shape an evolving area of work and build partnerships that create lasting change. We particularly welcome applicants whose experience has been developed outside traditional NHS career pathways. Health Innovation West of England embraces a hybrid working model, offering the flexibility to work from home and in our office in Bristol.

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