Job summary
Project Director - Inquiry £109,179 - £125,637 per annum 37.5 hours per week 12 month fixed term contract (Fixed Term Contract until 31.12.2026) The Lodge, Wickford
We are looking for a professional who has a positive attitude and excellent personal attributes to start work with the Trust at the earliest opportunity. This is a senior post within the Trust with a wide range of responsibilities to ensure that the Trust meets the requirements of the Lampard Inquiry placed upon it.
The post holder will report directly to the Executive Director of Governance and be responsible for ensuring the high standard, consistent and effective delivery of the project. The post holder will have line management responsibility for the Project Team.
If you're shortlisted for this role, your interview will take place via MS Teams on 7 November 2025.
Main duties of the job
The Project Director will lead a core Trust team to liaise and support the secretariat and Chair. The Project Director and Project Team will ensure that all requests from the external Team are processed efficiently and effectively. This will involve obtaining and organising information for submission.
There is likely to be considerable stakeholder management associated with this programme both internal and externally, as well as potential media interest. The duties of the role will include regular liaison with senior leads across the NHS and health and care economy. This will require high levels of transparency and openness.
The post holder will set the strategy for major projects and programmes, and put in place the
The post holder will also prepare and oversee communications-related policies and SOPs, liaise with relevant parties in their development and present them for sign off by the Board of Directors/Executive Teams.
The Project Director will be required to operate independently, directing and overseeing the team, interpreting organisational policies, ensuring adherence by others within the Trust and challenging non-compliance.
The post holder will be based in South Essex but may be required to undertake regular journeys across Trust sites for meetings, and also work flexible hours in order to meet the demands and deadlines required. The post holder will be able to 'work smart' (from home or at any Trust facility).
About us
Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.
- Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
- Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
- If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
- We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.
Benefits
- 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
- Excellent pension of up to14.5% of your pensionable pay.
- Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
- £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
- Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.
Work that wraps around your needs
- Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
- Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Planning, designing and leading a range of large requests using project management skills including the use of action plans, risk logs and quality impact assessments, ensuring key milestones are adhered to.
Developing rapid and effective relationships with a range of stakeholders both inside and outside the organisation.
Producing reports as required, interpreting Inquiry guidance as appropriate.
Leading and facilitating teams across the Trust on the management of requests related to the Lampard Inquiry, including training and supervision as required. This will include the implementation of systems and processes as required by the programme.
Accountable for ensuring that project plans and project management arrangements are developed and implemented for all requests.
Accountable for ensuring the Project Team has all the necessary data and information to track the key milestones and progress.
Responsible for development and implementation of major policies, standard operating procedures and guidelines Trust wide as required by each programme.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Planning, designing and leading a range of large requests using project management skills including the use of action plans, risk logs and quality impact assessments, ensuring key milestones are adhered to.
Developing rapid and effective relationships with a range of stakeholders both inside and outside the organisation.
Producing reports as required, interpreting Inquiry guidance as appropriate.
Leading and facilitating teams across the Trust on the management of requests related to the Lampard Inquiry, including training and supervision as required. This will include the implementation of systems and processes as required by the programme.
Accountable for ensuring that project plans and project management arrangements are developed and implemented for all requests.
Accountable for ensuring the Project Team has all the necessary data and information to track the key milestones and progress.
Responsible for development and implementation of major policies, standard operating procedures and guidelines Trust wide as required by each programme.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Degree level qualification or equivalent experience/extensive knowledge and expertise across the areas detailed in job description
- Master's degree or equivalent experience which can be demonstrated to be equitable to a Master's degree
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Project Management Qualification such as PRINCE 2
Knowledge/Skills/Experience
Essential
- Project Management tools and techniques
- Advanced IT skills, database/spreadsheet applications, MS Excel/Word and PowerPoint
- Experience and achievements as a senior management level within the NHS
- Substantial relevant experience in a Board-level or senior leadership role
- Experience within large complex organisation
- Excellent presentation and report writing skills
- Development of option appraisals, feasibility studies and business cases
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Ability to engage at all levels in a large complex organisation and achieve effective co-operation
- Successful conflict resolution
- Convey confidence
- Convey confidence
- Exercising judgement to deliver solutions
- Tenacity and drive to achieve required objectives
- Manage competing priorities and achieve objectives
- Deliver on non-negotiable deadlines
- Prepared to put forward alternative views
- Flexible and able to adapt
- Diplomatic and sensitive to the needs of others
Corporate
Essential
- Full UK Drivers Licence
- Ability to Travel across Trust sites as required
- Ability to work smart (from home and access to shared/hot desk space across Trust sites)
- Reliable and prepared to work outside normal hours as appropriate
- Ability to convey unwelcome news to staff regarding, for example, performance management issues
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Degree level qualification or equivalent experience/extensive knowledge and expertise across the areas detailed in job description
- Master's degree or equivalent experience which can be demonstrated to be equitable to a Master's degree
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Project Management Qualification such as PRINCE 2
Knowledge/Skills/Experience
Essential
- Project Management tools and techniques
- Advanced IT skills, database/spreadsheet applications, MS Excel/Word and PowerPoint
- Experience and achievements as a senior management level within the NHS
- Substantial relevant experience in a Board-level or senior leadership role
- Experience within large complex organisation
- Excellent presentation and report writing skills
- Development of option appraisals, feasibility studies and business cases
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Ability to engage at all levels in a large complex organisation and achieve effective co-operation
- Successful conflict resolution
- Convey confidence
- Convey confidence
- Exercising judgement to deliver solutions
- Tenacity and drive to achieve required objectives
- Manage competing priorities and achieve objectives
- Deliver on non-negotiable deadlines
- Prepared to put forward alternative views
- Flexible and able to adapt
- Diplomatic and sensitive to the needs of others
Corporate
Essential
- Full UK Drivers Licence
- Ability to Travel across Trust sites as required
- Ability to work smart (from home and access to shared/hot desk space across Trust sites)
- Reliable and prepared to work outside normal hours as appropriate
- Ability to convey unwelcome news to staff regarding, for example, performance management issues
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.
