Job summary
The Royal Marsden is one of the world's leading cancer centres, recognised internationally for pioneering research, cutting edge treatments, and outstanding patient care.
We are seeking an exceptional Deputy Programme Director to support delivery of the redevelopment and expansion of our Chelsea Site, a major, high-profile capital programme that will shape cancer care for generations.
With the planning application submitted in December 2025 and the programme now in the final stages of RIBA Stage 3, this is a pivotal opportunity to join the programme leadership team.
Reporting to the Programme Director and accountable to the Deputy Chief Executive, the postholder will provide senior operational and strategic leadership, overseeing day-to-day delivery of the programme.
Main duties of the job
The Deputy Programme Director is the senior operational and strategic deputy to the Programme Director.
In conjunction with the Programme Director, they will be responsible for the programme on a day-to-day basis managing both the internal core team, key internal stakeholders and external specialist and technical advisors.
They will develop robust business cases (OBC/FBC) and ensure that the development is delivered to time, cost and quality parameters and in line with the Trust's Clinical Strategy. The Deputy Programme Director will also ensure that the operational readiness plan is fit for purpose to support a successful launch of the new development.
About us
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.
At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.
At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information, please refer to the Job Description / Person Specification
Programme Management & Delivery
With the support of the Programme Director
- Provide day-to-day leadership of the programme.
- Establish and maintain programme controls including scheduling, resource planning, reporting etc.
- Establish and lead a high performing, multi-disciplinary cost-effective programme team.
- Manage external advisors consultants and contractors.
- Provide leadership, challenge and direction across multiple complex workstreams (design, planning, estates, finance)
- Support the development of the future clinical operational model and ensure that the development aligns.
Governance & Risk Management
With the support of the Programme Director
- Maintain robust governance, controls and reporting arrangements.
- To engage with the Programme Director, the Director of Projects and Estates and the external Project Managers in ensuring client sign off of the relevant RIBA stages of work.
- To work with the Programme Director to provide clear and accurate assurance to Programme Board, Trust Board, Charity Trustees and Executive Teams.
- Lead engagement with external regulators and assurance bodies including NHS England, Cabinet Office and other statutory stakeholders
Staff Management
With the support of the Programme Director
- To direct, lead, manage, motivate and develop staff so as to maintain the highest level of staff morale and to create a workplace environment characterised by high standards and openness.
- To provide leadership as required within the organisation and ensure that staff understand the strategic direction of the Programme Plan and the Trust and the part that they play in delivering the organisations objectives.
- To ensure the contributions and perspectives of all staff are heard, valued and where appropriate influence management decision making.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information, please refer to the Job Description / Person Specification
Programme Management & Delivery
With the support of the Programme Director
- Provide day-to-day leadership of the programme.
- Establish and maintain programme controls including scheduling, resource planning, reporting etc.
- Establish and lead a high performing, multi-disciplinary cost-effective programme team.
- Manage external advisors consultants and contractors.
- Provide leadership, challenge and direction across multiple complex workstreams (design, planning, estates, finance)
- Support the development of the future clinical operational model and ensure that the development aligns.
Governance & Risk Management
With the support of the Programme Director
- Maintain robust governance, controls and reporting arrangements.
- To engage with the Programme Director, the Director of Projects and Estates and the external Project Managers in ensuring client sign off of the relevant RIBA stages of work.
- To work with the Programme Director to provide clear and accurate assurance to Programme Board, Trust Board, Charity Trustees and Executive Teams.
- Lead engagement with external regulators and assurance bodies including NHS England, Cabinet Office and other statutory stakeholders
Staff Management
With the support of the Programme Director
- To direct, lead, manage, motivate and develop staff so as to maintain the highest level of staff morale and to create a workplace environment characterised by high standards and openness.
- To provide leadership as required within the organisation and ensure that staff understand the strategic direction of the Programme Plan and the Trust and the part that they play in delivering the organisations objectives.
- To ensure the contributions and perspectives of all staff are heard, valued and where appropriate influence management decision making.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Master's degree or equivalent extensive experience gained of delivery of major projects with direct accountability
- Extensive experience of overseeing/managing successful major projects.
- Experience in a responsible director/senior management position in a complex operational environment, reporting into Trust Boards.
- Extensive knowledge of the strategic, financial and management issues facing major project functions in a senior management position.
- Experience of working on projects with significant charitable funding
- Senior management experience in a variety of health and/or social care settings
- Experience of representing organisations in public forums with a positive influential impact.
Skills Abilities/knowledge
Essential
- Effective partnership working and multi stakeholder engagement, both internally and externally.
- Strong inter-personal skills with an ability to build credibility and trust quickly.
- Able to think and plan strategically, and to prioritise work programmes in the face of competing demands.
- Literate in information, communications and digital technologies including the full Microsoft package.
- Working knowledge of the UK healthcare sector and its regulation.
- Managing conflict, displaying high levels of emotional intelligence, and remaining calm and resilient.
- Strong people management skills - to motivate and inspire clinical and non-clinical colleagues.
- Resilient, self-motivated, honest and strong sense of personal integrity and inclusiveness. Evidence of holding strong public service valu
- Excellent presentation and facilitation skills to very senior audiences, and external audiences.
Desirable
- Commercially minded supporting the development of compelling offerings for potential partners.
- Able to lead changes to services that deliver significant value for patients and taxpayers.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Master's degree or equivalent extensive experience gained of delivery of major projects with direct accountability
- Extensive experience of overseeing/managing successful major projects.
- Experience in a responsible director/senior management position in a complex operational environment, reporting into Trust Boards.
- Extensive knowledge of the strategic, financial and management issues facing major project functions in a senior management position.
- Experience of working on projects with significant charitable funding
- Senior management experience in a variety of health and/or social care settings
- Experience of representing organisations in public forums with a positive influential impact.
Skills Abilities/knowledge
Essential
- Effective partnership working and multi stakeholder engagement, both internally and externally.
- Strong inter-personal skills with an ability to build credibility and trust quickly.
- Able to think and plan strategically, and to prioritise work programmes in the face of competing demands.
- Literate in information, communications and digital technologies including the full Microsoft package.
- Working knowledge of the UK healthcare sector and its regulation.
- Managing conflict, displaying high levels of emotional intelligence, and remaining calm and resilient.
- Strong people management skills - to motivate and inspire clinical and non-clinical colleagues.
- Resilient, self-motivated, honest and strong sense of personal integrity and inclusiveness. Evidence of holding strong public service valu
- Excellent presentation and facilitation skills to very senior audiences, and external audiences.
Desirable
- Commercially minded supporting the development of compelling offerings for potential partners.
- Able to lead changes to services that deliver significant value for patients and taxpayers.
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.
