Job summary
University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) is undergoing a significant period of transformation, with major investment in our hospital estate, service reconfiguration, and a strong focus on delivering sustainable, high-quality care for our communities.
At the heart of this transformation is our People agenda, with a clear Mission to be a Great Place to Work, enabling excellent healthcare. We are seeking an experienced and credible Programme Manager to lead the design and delivery of several high-profile, complex People transformation programmes, supporting how the People Services Directorate meets its governance obligations and delivers a valued, efficient and effective service to around 10,000 staff, alongside a portfolio of People Promise improvement projects.
This is a senior role within the People Directorate, working closely with executive sponsors, clinical leaders and operational teams to plan, coordinate and deliver large-scale change.
Our closing date for applications is 12 midnight on Sunday 15th February 2026.
Shortlisting will take place on Monday 16th February 2026.
We will be contacting applicants from Tuesday 17th February 2026.
The selection process will take place on Thursday 25th February 2026 - please ensure you are available on that date.
Main duties of the job
Reporting to the Deputy Chief People Officer, the Programme Manager will lead the delivery and coordination of a portfolio of complex People programmes, ensuring they are well planned, effectively governed and deliver measurable outcomes aligned to Trust and system priorities.
This will include programmes such as:
You will be responsible for programme planning, delivery and performance oversight, including the development of delivery plans, milestones, risks and dependencies, and for providing clear reporting and assurance to senior forums including Trust Management Group, People & Culture Committee and other relevant governance groups.
Working within agreed governance and strategic frameworks, you will collaborate closely with clinical, operational and corporate colleagues to support delivery, manage interdependencies and maintain momentum across multiple workstreams.
You will also provide leadership to programme and project staff, operating within a matrix environment and ensuring resources are coordinated effectively to deliver agreed outcomes.
About us
UHD is an ambitious and supportive organisation with a strong focus on improvement, collaboration and staff experience. This role offers a genuine opportunity to lead and deliver programmes that make a tangible difference to how our people are supported and how services are sustained.
We are investing, developing and transforming Trust services in line with the New Hospital Programme. As part of this, some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or permanently. Recruiting Managers will be happy to answer any service-specific questions at interview.
If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not be reimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions.
UHD has active networks including Women's, BAME, Pride, EU, Pro Ability, and Armed Forces. We support Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant interview schemes.
AI tools may be used, but applications must honestly reflect your own skills and experience. Integrity is key to our recruitment process.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Job Description and Person Specification are available via NHS Jobs.
You will be an experienced programme manager with a proven track record of delivering complex change programmes in large, fast-paced organisations.
You will bring:
You will be resilient, organised and delivery-focused, with the judgement to escalate issues appropriately and the credibility to work effectively with senior leaders and partners.
If you would like an informal conversation about the role, please contact Melissa Duncan, UHD Head of Workforce Resourcing, at melissa.duncan1@nhs.net.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Job Description and Person Specification are available via NHS Jobs.
You will be an experienced programme manager with a proven track record of delivering complex change programmes in large, fast-paced organisations.
You will bring:
You will be resilient, organised and delivery-focused, with the judgement to escalate issues appropriately and the credibility to work effectively with senior leaders and partners.
If you would like an informal conversation about the role, please contact Melissa Duncan, UHD Head of Workforce Resourcing, at melissa.duncan1@nhs.net.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree level qualification or equivalent professional qualification
- Postgraduate diploma, Master's level qualification or equivalent level of experience supported by specialist programme/project management knowledge or training
Desirable
- Formal programme or project management qualification (e.g. MSP, PRINCE2 or equivalent)
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience delivering complex programmes or major projects to agreed outcomes, timescales and budgets
- Experience coordinating multiple workstreams or projects within a programme or portfolio
- Experience working across organisational and professional boundaries with a wide range of stakeholders
- Evidence of direct and/or matrix leadership, supporting others to deliver change
- Experience working within healthcare, People services, workforce/OD or a comparably complex environment
Desirable
- Experience delivering People-focused or workforce-related programmes
- Experience working in a multi-site or system environment
Skills
Essential
- Strong programme/project management skills, including planning, governance, risk and reporting
- Ability to analyse and interpret complex information to support delivery and assurance
- Clear, confident written and verbal communication, including with senior stakeholders
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Delivery-focused, resilient and well-organised
- Credible, professional and able to build effective working relationships
- Able to work with autonomy, judgement and discretion
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree level qualification or equivalent professional qualification
- Postgraduate diploma, Master's level qualification or equivalent level of experience supported by specialist programme/project management knowledge or training
Desirable
- Formal programme or project management qualification (e.g. MSP, PRINCE2 or equivalent)
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience delivering complex programmes or major projects to agreed outcomes, timescales and budgets
- Experience coordinating multiple workstreams or projects within a programme or portfolio
- Experience working across organisational and professional boundaries with a wide range of stakeholders
- Evidence of direct and/or matrix leadership, supporting others to deliver change
- Experience working within healthcare, People services, workforce/OD or a comparably complex environment
Desirable
- Experience delivering People-focused or workforce-related programmes
- Experience working in a multi-site or system environment
Skills
Essential
- Strong programme/project management skills, including planning, governance, risk and reporting
- Ability to analyse and interpret complex information to support delivery and assurance
- Clear, confident written and verbal communication, including with senior stakeholders
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Delivery-focused, resilient and well-organised
- Credible, professional and able to build effective working relationships
- Able to work with autonomy, judgement and discretion
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
