Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Transformation Programme Manager

The closing date is 05 February 2026

Job summary

The Senior Transformation Programme Manager is a part time role (0.2 wte) which will lead specified programmes of strategic transformation across the collaborative. The role will be responsible for driving change initiatives aimed at improving clinical services, patient care, and operational efficiency across the collaborative. The post holder will play a critical role in facilitating the implementation of strategic changes, ensuring that programmes are aligned with the organisation's overall vision and objectives and those of partner organisations. Reporting to the Programme Director , you will work closely with cross-functional teams and senior leaders across all partner organisations, and external stakeholders to ensure timely, cost-effective, and impactful programme delivery. The postholder will work with minimal supervision and within a matrix management structure collaborating with senior operational and clinical teams across the Collaborative.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will ensure that transformation programmes are fully aligned with all partner organisation's strategic goals, ICS and NHSE mandates, particularly in areas such as policy reforms, budgetary constraints, and service delivery improvements.Responsible for ensuring the design and completion of major areas of cross partner change within specialist forensic mental health services including working with the contracts and procurements teams to establish suitable service contracts.

Responsible for compiling detailed transformation plans, developing strategy for allocated project areas of activity, ensuring implementation and that performance targets, strategic objectives are met; contributes to corporate policies and strategy.Responsible for ensuring that projects are designed within available contract value.Responsible for ensuring that co-production is a key element of all projects and supporting the experts by experience working within individual programmes of change.

About us

Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust (SPFT) is lead provider for Kent Surrey and Sussex provider collaborative (PC) adult secure. The Collaborative is comprised of 3 NHS Trusts of which SPFT is one and independent sector partners. The collaborative operates a continuous programme of Transformation & Change, enabling the collaborative to deliver its major change programmes across partner organisations, to improve outcomes and deliver better value for money.

Details

Date posted

22 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8c

Salary

£76,965 to £88,682 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

354-CO-21821

Job locations

Portland House

Richmond Road

Worthing

BN11 1HS


Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details of this position, please see the job description attached. This also contains the person specification.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details of this position, please see the job description attached. This also contains the person specification.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
  • Relevant Masters qualification or equivalent experience of working as a senior operational or strategic manager in a relevant field
  • Project or programme management training, qualification or equivalent recognised qualification
  • Evidence on ongoing CPD activity

Knowledge/Experience

Essential

  • Background in healthcare transformation with experience in leading complex projects within mental health settings
  • Clinical experience to understand the challenges and requirements of clinical and operational services
  • Clinical background in mental health with experience of working in a clinical setting
  • Extensive experience in programme management, particularly within the NHS or healthcare sector, with a focus on mental health services
  • Proven track record of leading large-scale transformation programmes, from concept through to successful implementation
  • Strong track record in change management, particularly in environments subject to significant policy, regulatory, or operational changes
  • Demonstrated ability to work with senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
  • Strong knowledge of programme management methodologies, such as PRINCE2, MSP, or Agile
  • Experience of managing a team to achieve delivery of planned benefits
  • Experience influencing staff at all levels to ensure project objectives are owned by all members of the
  • Experience of budget management
  • Experience of financial recovery and turnaround, or improving financial sustainability within an organisation
  • Experience of working in a demanding environment with many, sometimes conflicting priorities.
  • Experience of working in a demanding environment with many, sometimes conflicting priorities
  • Experience of successfully developing collaborative relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
  • Relevant Masters qualification or equivalent experience of working as a senior operational or strategic manager in a relevant field
  • Project or programme management training, qualification or equivalent recognised qualification
  • Evidence on ongoing CPD activity

Knowledge/Experience

Essential

  • Background in healthcare transformation with experience in leading complex projects within mental health settings
  • Clinical experience to understand the challenges and requirements of clinical and operational services
  • Clinical background in mental health with experience of working in a clinical setting
  • Extensive experience in programme management, particularly within the NHS or healthcare sector, with a focus on mental health services
  • Proven track record of leading large-scale transformation programmes, from concept through to successful implementation
  • Strong track record in change management, particularly in environments subject to significant policy, regulatory, or operational changes
  • Demonstrated ability to work with senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
  • Strong knowledge of programme management methodologies, such as PRINCE2, MSP, or Agile
  • Experience of managing a team to achieve delivery of planned benefits
  • Experience influencing staff at all levels to ensure project objectives are owned by all members of the
  • Experience of budget management
  • Experience of financial recovery and turnaround, or improving financial sustainability within an organisation
  • Experience of working in a demanding environment with many, sometimes conflicting priorities.
  • Experience of working in a demanding environment with many, sometimes conflicting priorities
  • Experience of successfully developing collaborative relationships with a variety of stakeholders.

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).

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Portland House

Richmond Road

Worthing

BN11 1HS


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Portland House

Richmond Road

Worthing

BN11 1HS


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Programme Director

Suzy Dobson

suzy.dobson@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

22 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8c

Salary

£76,965 to £88,682 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

354-CO-21821

Job locations

Portland House

Richmond Road

Worthing

BN11 1HS


Supporting documents

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