Job summary
The Diagnostics and Genomics Project Director is a senior leadership role at Band 9, with national significance and influence in shaping the future of diagnostic services within CUH and the broader NHS landscape. This role requires strategic leadership, expert clinical knowledge, and the ability to deliver major transformation across complex diagnostics services, including genomics.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will play a key role in leading the implementation of the CUH Diagnostics and Genomics strategic vision. Working with senior clinical and executive stakeholders, they will guide and coordinate multiple interdependent projects to ensure the sustainability, efficiency, and clinical excellence of CUH's diagnostic services, securing its status as a Genomic Laboratory Hub.
The successful candidate will influence policy development at a regional and national level, mentor clinical and non-clinical staff, and lead high-impact service redesigns. They will leverage advanced scientific knowledge and innovation to support service improvement, quality, safety, and personalised care.
About us
Our Trust
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.
CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Please note:- Internal applicants on permanent contracts can only apply for this post as a secondment and must have the approval of your current line manager before applying.
For NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough based roles, all applicants from NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who have identified that they are at risk of redundancy will be prioritised over those not at risk. However, interviews cannot be guaranteed.
This vacancy will close at midnight on 17th July 2025
Interviews are due to be held on 28th July 2025
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Please note:- Internal applicants on permanent contracts can only apply for this post as a secondment and must have the approval of your current line manager before applying.
For NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough based roles, all applicants from NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who have identified that they are at risk of redundancy will be prioritised over those not at risk. However, interviews cannot be guaranteed.
This vacancy will close at midnight on 17th July 2025
Interviews are due to be held on 28th July 2025
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Masters level or demonstrable equivalent level of knowledge.
- Evidence of Project Management training
- Evidence of continuous professional development.
Desirable
- Master's degree or equivalent experience
Knowledge
Essential
- Advanced knowledge of diagnostics and genomics, including current innovation and NHS priorities
- Understanding of diagnostic laboratory management and quality standards
- In depth knowledge of NHS governance and business case development
- Strategic understanding of NHS and public sector investment frameworks
Experience
Essential
- Extensive senior management experience in diagnostics or related clinical service.
- Proven track record of delivering complex, multi-agency projects.
- Demonstrated influence in policy development and national strategic planning.
- Experience mentoring, coaching, and developing clinical/operational leaders.
- Experience managing clinical services or laboratories at scale.
- Demonstrated ability to influence across organisational boundaries.
Desirable
- Experience of working within a clinical or academic research setting
- Considerable experience of training, mentoring, coaching particularly in project and programme management
- Experience of public sector major projects such as large strategic investment programmes
Skills
Essential
- Exceptional leadership and strategic thinking.
- Highly developed interpersonal, negotiation, and influencing skills.
- Analytical problem-solving skills using complex data.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.
- Commitment to patient safety, service quality, and continuous improvement.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and project management software.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and project management software.
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Uphold and role model CUH values of safe, Kind, Excellent
- Demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and emotional intelligence
- Able to learn rapidly, and take in a wide range of information, distilling out the key points into clear succinct well-argued documents.
- Maintain confidentiality and adhere to information governance standards
- Accepts responsibility and accountability for own work and can define the responsibilities of others.
- Able to manage competing demands and produce high quality work to tight deadlines.
- Able to establish positive relationships and mutual respect with people at all levels
- A clear communicator with excellent written, analytical and presentation skills
- Demonstrates empathy and concerns for others
- Shows respect for others' feelings, views and circumstances.
- Has realistic knowledge of personal strengths and areas for development.
- Learn from mistakes and ask for support where necessary.
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Masters level or demonstrable equivalent level of knowledge.
- Evidence of Project Management training
- Evidence of continuous professional development.
Desirable
- Master's degree or equivalent experience
Knowledge
Essential
- Advanced knowledge of diagnostics and genomics, including current innovation and NHS priorities
- Understanding of diagnostic laboratory management and quality standards
- In depth knowledge of NHS governance and business case development
- Strategic understanding of NHS and public sector investment frameworks
Experience
Essential
- Extensive senior management experience in diagnostics or related clinical service.
- Proven track record of delivering complex, multi-agency projects.
- Demonstrated influence in policy development and national strategic planning.
- Experience mentoring, coaching, and developing clinical/operational leaders.
- Experience managing clinical services or laboratories at scale.
- Demonstrated ability to influence across organisational boundaries.
Desirable
- Experience of working within a clinical or academic research setting
- Considerable experience of training, mentoring, coaching particularly in project and programme management
- Experience of public sector major projects such as large strategic investment programmes
Skills
Essential
- Exceptional leadership and strategic thinking.
- Highly developed interpersonal, negotiation, and influencing skills.
- Analytical problem-solving skills using complex data.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.
- Commitment to patient safety, service quality, and continuous improvement.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and project management software.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and project management software.
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Uphold and role model CUH values of safe, Kind, Excellent
- Demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and emotional intelligence
- Able to learn rapidly, and take in a wide range of information, distilling out the key points into clear succinct well-argued documents.
- Maintain confidentiality and adhere to information governance standards
- Accepts responsibility and accountability for own work and can define the responsibilities of others.
- Able to manage competing demands and produce high quality work to tight deadlines.
- Able to establish positive relationships and mutual respect with people at all levels
- A clear communicator with excellent written, analytical and presentation skills
- Demonstrates empathy and concerns for others
- Shows respect for others' feelings, views and circumstances.
- Has realistic knowledge of personal strengths and areas for development.
- Learn from mistakes and ask for support where necessary.
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent
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).
Employer details
Employer name
Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Addenbrookes Hospital-Division Corporate
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0DD
Employer's website
https://www.cuh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)