Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

MIAA - Deputy Associate Director - Continuous Improvement

The closing date is 15 April 2026

Job summary

We are looking for an individual who will lead in the development and delivery Strategic R&D within MIAA bringing together a multi-disciplinary group to assess current and emerging national guidance and priorities and deliver impactful interpretation internally and to our clients.

Oversight and management of the Quality Assurance framework includes ISO9001/2015 accreditation, public sector internal audit standards Internal and External Quality Assessments, and operational quality assurance processes (e.g. management review, peer review, client feedback etc.)

The role will work with both senior colleagues within MIAA and externally, provide expert advice on professional standards and positioning MIAA with professional bodies and groups across the Northwest and Nationally.

This will require excellent communication and co-ordination across a wide range of staff at clients, within MIAA and across other organisations including professional bodies, regulators, Integrated Care Systems (ICS) and other stakeholders.

Alongside this, the role will include Senior Internal Audit Manager responsibilities for a portfolio of clients. This will include the planning, management and delivery of internal audit plans; supporting the Regional Assistant Director with the leadership and management of the team; and maintaining effective external profile and relationships.

Main duties of the job

The purpose of the role is to provide a lead role in the development and delivery of R&D and insights across MIAA and to its clients; ensure oversight and management of the Quality Assurance framework for all MIAA services; and provide professional leadership to ensure continued compliance with professional internal audit standards and positioning and influence with professional bodies.

The role leads the Strategic R&D within MIAA bringing together a multi-disciplinary group to assess current and emerging national guidance and priorities and deliver impactful interpretation internally and to our clients (circa 60).

Oversight and management of the Quality Assurance framework includes ISO9001/2015 accreditation, public sector internal audit standards, Internal and External Quality Assessments, and operational quality assurance processes (e.g., management review, peer review, client feedback etc.)

The role will collaborate with both senior colleagues within MIAA and externally, provide expert advice on professional standards and position MIAA with professional bodies and groups across the Northwest and Nationally.

This will require excellent communication and co-ordination across a wide range of staff at clients, within MIAA and across other organisations including professional bodies, regulators, Integrated Care Systems (ICS) and other stakeholders.

About us

MIAA is an NHS Shared service, hosted by Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. MIAA is the predominant provider of assurance and solutions services to over 60+ NHS and wider public and third sector, including local government, police & fire, charities and housing organisations. With a client base of over 60 and expansion of our solutions offer we are continuing to grow at pace.

MIAA offer clients a number of services in addition to internal audit including Solutions, Anti-Fraud, Technical Risk Assurance, Clinical Coding and Healthcare Quality.

MIAA's budgeted turnover is 12 million, which is demonstrative of the organisation's ambitious and strategic goals.

We pride ourselves in promoting equality and valuing diversity.

All our teams benefit from:-

  • Flexible/hybrid Working
  • Generous pension scheme
  • Development and protected learning time
  • Career Progression

Our values

  • Trust
  • Respect and Compassion
  • Innovation and Excellence

Details

Date posted

01 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£64,455 to £74,896 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

287-MIAA-3-26

Job locations

Regatta Place

Brunswick Business Park, Summers Road

Liverpool

L3 4BL


Job description

Job responsibilities

LeadershipLead the development and implementation of Strategic R&D across MIAA.Lead the establishment and oversight of the Quality Assurance framework across MIAA services.Promote and position MIAA with professional bodies.Provide expert advice and guidance to MIAA Directors, managers, and staff on professional internal audit standards.

ManagementEnsure that any issues of staff performance and disciplinary issues are dealt with in accordance with organisational policy.Develop, manage, and evaluate stakeholder relationships to enable the delivery of high-quality services.Communicate clearly and effectively with all relevant internal and external stakeholders to promote the services, share insights, and best practice.Manage and maintain the participation of members of staff in the organisation to support R&D and embedding of initiatives and priorities.Manage the delivery of a range of internal audit plans to a portfolio of clients.

Research & DevelopmentTo support the Associate Director Continuous Improvement in developing and implementing a strategic approach to R&D to support innovative service offers across all MIAA Business Units.To promote, coordinate and support the delivery of breakfast briefings briefing notes, benchmarking and insights including the use of different channels, media, and communications.To lead the coordination of the horizon scanning assessments and opportunities.Leading the development of R&D insights ensuring high quality information and timely communication internally and across MIAAs extensive client base (Circa 60 clients).

For further details on the key and principles responsibilities please read the Job description and person specification in full.

Job description

Job responsibilities

LeadershipLead the development and implementation of Strategic R&D across MIAA.Lead the establishment and oversight of the Quality Assurance framework across MIAA services.Promote and position MIAA with professional bodies.Provide expert advice and guidance to MIAA Directors, managers, and staff on professional internal audit standards.

ManagementEnsure that any issues of staff performance and disciplinary issues are dealt with in accordance with organisational policy.Develop, manage, and evaluate stakeholder relationships to enable the delivery of high-quality services.Communicate clearly and effectively with all relevant internal and external stakeholders to promote the services, share insights, and best practice.Manage and maintain the participation of members of staff in the organisation to support R&D and embedding of initiatives and priorities.Manage the delivery of a range of internal audit plans to a portfolio of clients.

Research & DevelopmentTo support the Associate Director Continuous Improvement in developing and implementing a strategic approach to R&D to support innovative service offers across all MIAA Business Units.To promote, coordinate and support the delivery of breakfast briefings briefing notes, benchmarking and insights including the use of different channels, media, and communications.To lead the coordination of the horizon scanning assessments and opportunities.Leading the development of R&D insights ensuring high quality information and timely communication internally and across MIAAs extensive client base (Circa 60 clients).

For further details on the key and principles responsibilities please read the Job description and person specification in full.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to master's degree level, CCAB or CIIA qualification with demonstrable CPD
  • Evidence of further development, education and/or training, including management training

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of leading a team
  • Relevant professional development and demonstrable internal audit experience
  • Evidence in the production of high-level analytical information and formal written report writing including Board level
  • Demonstrable experience of dealing with external NHS bodies and other agencies
  • Experience of publishing information using electronic reporting tools

Desirable

  • Experience of managing or assisting in the management of a department budget (financial or delivery)

Knowledge

Essential

  • Extensive knowledge of internal audit and associated professional standards
  • Knowledge of relevant NHS agendas and strategic developments
  • Knowledge of Quality Assurance approaches, measures and assessments
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to master's degree level, CCAB or CIIA qualification with demonstrable CPD
  • Evidence of further development, education and/or training, including management training

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of leading a team
  • Relevant professional development and demonstrable internal audit experience
  • Evidence in the production of high-level analytical information and formal written report writing including Board level
  • Demonstrable experience of dealing with external NHS bodies and other agencies
  • Experience of publishing information using electronic reporting tools

Desirable

  • Experience of managing or assisting in the management of a department budget (financial or delivery)

Knowledge

Essential

  • Extensive knowledge of internal audit and associated professional standards
  • Knowledge of relevant NHS agendas and strategic developments
  • Knowledge of Quality Assurance approaches, measures and assessments

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Regatta Place

Brunswick Business Park, Summers Road

Liverpool

L3 4BL


Employer's website

https://www.liverpoolft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Regatta Place

Brunswick Business Park, Summers Road

Liverpool

L3 4BL


Employer's website

https://www.liverpoolft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Associate Director - Continuous Improvement

Sarah Dowbekin

sarah.dowbekin@miaa.nhs.uk

07788308155

Details

Date posted

01 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£64,455 to £74,896 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

287-MIAA-3-26

Job locations

Regatta Place

Brunswick Business Park, Summers Road

Liverpool

L3 4BL


Supporting documents

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