The Christie NHS FT

Project Manager – GM Diagnostics Network

The closing date is 16 February 2026

Job summary

GM Diagnostic Network works collaboratively with the ICB, GM provider trusts in secondary care, primary care networks, public health, regional and national teams, and with a wide variety of stakeholders including NHS provider and locality staff and teams, voluntary sector and patients; to improve system-wide outcomes for the Greater Manchester and East Cheshire population and influencing national policy.

The Project Manager will support delivery of GM Diagnostic Network strategy, aims and objectives. The post will support a number of GM system-wide projects to achieve specific outcomes in line with the GM strategy in delivery of the aims of the NHS 10-year Health Plan working across multiple organisations in Greater Manchester including provider NHS trusts, primary care, localities, other Diagnostic Networks and NHS England. Also with VCSE and patient and carer representatives.

The post holder will deliver complex transformational projects that span multiple GM organisations, supporting improvements, recovery, and transformation through the GM-wide Diagnostic Network Boards/Clinical Reference Groups at a system level across Greater Manchester.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for an intelligent project manager committed to using evidence and clinical consensus to improve patient outcomes and experience.

The successful applicant will have experience of managing within a diagnostic environment within Greater Manchester, has led projects in complex and challenging environments and has both supported and challenged senior clinical colleagues. They will also be able to administrate and work at senior level, ensuring that they run smoothly and deliver against the plans that they have set themselves.

We are looking for an autonomous individual with experience in one of the specialties within the remit of the Diagnostic Network who will drive transformation, liaising with key stakeholders across the system to improve experience and outcomes for patients and families in Greater Manchester and East Cheshire.

About us

The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country. We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.

Details

Date posted

09 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

6 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

413-103177-GMC-SD

Job locations

Greater Manchester Cancer Services - E00466

Wilmslow Road

Manchester

M20 4BX


Job description

Job responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Managers will lead, support and co-ordinate projects to improve and sustain the quality and patient experience of an entire integrated care pathway across all the providers system-wide in Greater Manchester, and further afield. Project Managers are the conduit between the Greater Manchester Diagnostics core team and the organisations/teams in GM.

Set-up and organisation

1. Lead a number of multidisciplinary projects, ensuring full representation from across Greater Manchester NHS Trusts, relevant organisations, and key partners (including radiology, pathology, commissioning, primary care, patients representatives, charities) in the care of patients across the whole patient pathway. This requires considerable concentration for prolonged periods of time at least twice a week and leads to emotional strain and pressure associated with a high workload volume and engagement as a regular feature of the role

2. Creation of complex bids for funding e.g., to improve digital capability, capital assets

3. Analysing data from varying sources (qualitative and quantitative) and including relevant data in the comprehensive reports/bids/plans to support the cases of need produced by the postholder

4. Develop yearly work plans across a number of projects and manage the delivery of these plans in line with the NHS Long Term Health Plan

5. Developing evidence-based plans, projects, policy, and service developments to directly improve patient outcomes across the GM population, improving equity of access to specific diagnostic services. These plans/policies/service developments could be new GM patient pathways or services, or based upon national initiatives that are mandated to be delivered across the multiple Trusts/organisations in Greater Manchester

6. Lead specific GM/multiple organisation-wide projects and bids including responsibility and management of the budgets for these projects

7. Co-ordinate, facilitate and manage all the multi-organisational Project Board meetings, creating and presenting progress reports/documents at these meetings

8. Prepare agendas, papers, and minutes for Project Board meetings, being responsible for the follow up of agreed actions, holding to account the relevant senior clinicians/managers, and leading the progress of the actions

9. Propose and deliver meaningful educational events for a wide group of pathway stakeholders and interested parties across organisations and professions whether face to face or remotely, to allow new developments and learning from the Project Board to be disseminated across the system. These events can be regional or national to train/support the workforce to deliver improved patient outcomes/best practice, creating and delivering the content

10. Create opportunities and facilitate full and active patient participation in the work of Project Boards, working with patient representatives and adapting communication methods to overcome any barriers to communication

11. Lead on building meaningful relationships across GM organisations and beyond, including public health bodies and service user engagement, to enhance, share and embed best practice within the pathways, including working with voluntary community and social enterprise organisations

12. In conjunction with the Clinical Leads, identify and mitigate/escalate any issues/risks to the programmes of work

13. Ensure research is supported and identify opportunities for equity of access and to reduce health inequalities

Communication and support

14. The post holder is the key management support for the Project Clinical Leads and the programme management, including delivery of GM-wide projects and provide updates into the GM Diagnostic Network governance structure reporting progress and risk mitigation/issues for escalation

15. The post holder is the key communication link between Project Clinical Leads and the Greater Manchester Diagnostic Network Senior Leadership Team

16. Has responsibility to develop and write innovative proposals and business cases, including financial modelling, outcomes and benefits for system-wide service change, improvement, and transformation for diagnostic pathways, with the Project Clinical Leads.

17. Actively engage with the Clinical Leads, members of the Clinical Reference Groups and managerial colleagues to ensure the project/work programme objectives are prioritised and delivered, using a range of communication methods to suit the varying audiences

18. Is the main point of contact and link to expertise and resources regarding the specific projects

19. Challenge and hold to account the Project Clinical Leads and their Project Boards if they exhibit a lack of ambition or consider objectives that do not contribute towards those of Greater Manchester Diagnostic Network

20. Maintain excellent communication for wider Greater Manchester Diagnostic developments

21. Formally update the Greater Manchester Diagnostic Network Senior Leadership Team via the assurance framework with project plans, and identify where support or challenge is needed

22. Responsible for creation of reports and papers from the postholders data sources/involvement with the programmes of work to update the Greater Manchester & Pharmacy Partnership Group on project developments and to seek approval for recommended action

Human Resources

23. Responsible for the recruitment of administration/support staff

24. Line management of administration/support staff, including appraisal and development, performance, and work streams, including responsibility for grievance and disciplinary procedures

25. Maintaining all records pertaining to line management functions

26. Contributing to the recruitment and annual appraisal of the Project Clinical Leads (senior clinicians)

Data and information

27. Research general and tumour-specific background data and literature from national and international sources to support the programmes of work/projects/focus of future projects across Greater Manchester organisations/Trusts

28. Collate data and literature into concise reports and tools and present to relevant Boards to support the direction of the projects

29. Develop measurable outcomes for each element of the project and track and report progress to the relevant Boards and GM Diagnostic Network Senior leadership Team.

30. Analyse diagnostic data and intelligence to identify trends, key messages, and opportunities to improve patient outcomes and experience

31. Support GM Diagnostic Network programmes in the collation, critical analysis, and presentation of GM system-wide audit data, comparing this to national data to inform decisions and prioritisation of objectives

32. Use of appropriate systems such as Curator/Tableau to create reports to inform GM-wide system performance for the specified projects

Financial Management

33. Manage and monitor the budgets associated with the projects including procurement, transacting funds to the relevant organisations and regular reporting of spend for local, regional, and national financial returns

34. Lead the development of funding bids and business cases including the establishment of a compelling case of need required to support the implementation of performance programmes. This will also include budget analysis, modelling and projection to ensure that the programmes continue to maximise all available external funding and revenue streams throughout their lifecycle.

35. Ensure a comprehensive benefits realisation strategy is in place, including management of benefits beyond the lifecycle of the programmes to ensure that the programmes deliver the expected outcomes and improvements

36. Accountable for authorising expenditure of projects in line with agreed delegated authorities/decision rights

Planning and reporting

37. In conjunction with the Project Clinical Leads and their Project Boards, manage responses to the NHSE Long Term Plan diagnostic elements

38. Develop system-wide (across GM Trusts and organisations) operational procedures and documentation in line with national strategies for the relevant staff within these Trusts/organisations to use operationally, to ensure equitable access and progression of the diagnostic pathways and specific services

39. Develop and manage the projects to contribute towards the delivery of the GM Diagnostic workplan in conjunction with the Project Clinical Leads. Ensuring the projects contain clear objectives, tasks and identified leads, and holding these leads to account for their specific actions

40. Manage and monitor a number of competing deadlines to support delivery of the projects instigating corrective action where appropriate

41. Develop and support Project Boards in defining outcome measures so that achievement can be monitored during the year

42. Track progress against the project outcome measures and provide progress reports to GM Diagnostic Network

43. Develop and maintain a risk register for the Project objectives, reporting risks and issues to the Project Clinical Lead (Greater Manchester trusts will retain responsibility for the clinical governance of diagnostic services provision)

Quality and peer review

44. Work collaboratively with GM Diagnostic Network programmes and across the GM system to ensure adherence to all required quality assurance programmes, including the national quality surveillance programme and peer review across GM Trusts

45. Proactively engage and work to embedding policies/agreements that relate to post holders projects to develop and sustain services that meet local and national commissioner specifications and NICE improving outcomes guidance

Behaviours

46. Demonstrates the agreed set of GM Diagnostic Network values and is accountable for own attitude and behaviour

Job description

Job responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Managers will lead, support and co-ordinate projects to improve and sustain the quality and patient experience of an entire integrated care pathway across all the providers system-wide in Greater Manchester, and further afield. Project Managers are the conduit between the Greater Manchester Diagnostics core team and the organisations/teams in GM.

Set-up and organisation

1. Lead a number of multidisciplinary projects, ensuring full representation from across Greater Manchester NHS Trusts, relevant organisations, and key partners (including radiology, pathology, commissioning, primary care, patients representatives, charities) in the care of patients across the whole patient pathway. This requires considerable concentration for prolonged periods of time at least twice a week and leads to emotional strain and pressure associated with a high workload volume and engagement as a regular feature of the role

2. Creation of complex bids for funding e.g., to improve digital capability, capital assets

3. Analysing data from varying sources (qualitative and quantitative) and including relevant data in the comprehensive reports/bids/plans to support the cases of need produced by the postholder

4. Develop yearly work plans across a number of projects and manage the delivery of these plans in line with the NHS Long Term Health Plan

5. Developing evidence-based plans, projects, policy, and service developments to directly improve patient outcomes across the GM population, improving equity of access to specific diagnostic services. These plans/policies/service developments could be new GM patient pathways or services, or based upon national initiatives that are mandated to be delivered across the multiple Trusts/organisations in Greater Manchester

6. Lead specific GM/multiple organisation-wide projects and bids including responsibility and management of the budgets for these projects

7. Co-ordinate, facilitate and manage all the multi-organisational Project Board meetings, creating and presenting progress reports/documents at these meetings

8. Prepare agendas, papers, and minutes for Project Board meetings, being responsible for the follow up of agreed actions, holding to account the relevant senior clinicians/managers, and leading the progress of the actions

9. Propose and deliver meaningful educational events for a wide group of pathway stakeholders and interested parties across organisations and professions whether face to face or remotely, to allow new developments and learning from the Project Board to be disseminated across the system. These events can be regional or national to train/support the workforce to deliver improved patient outcomes/best practice, creating and delivering the content

10. Create opportunities and facilitate full and active patient participation in the work of Project Boards, working with patient representatives and adapting communication methods to overcome any barriers to communication

11. Lead on building meaningful relationships across GM organisations and beyond, including public health bodies and service user engagement, to enhance, share and embed best practice within the pathways, including working with voluntary community and social enterprise organisations

12. In conjunction with the Clinical Leads, identify and mitigate/escalate any issues/risks to the programmes of work

13. Ensure research is supported and identify opportunities for equity of access and to reduce health inequalities

Communication and support

14. The post holder is the key management support for the Project Clinical Leads and the programme management, including delivery of GM-wide projects and provide updates into the GM Diagnostic Network governance structure reporting progress and risk mitigation/issues for escalation

15. The post holder is the key communication link between Project Clinical Leads and the Greater Manchester Diagnostic Network Senior Leadership Team

16. Has responsibility to develop and write innovative proposals and business cases, including financial modelling, outcomes and benefits for system-wide service change, improvement, and transformation for diagnostic pathways, with the Project Clinical Leads.

17. Actively engage with the Clinical Leads, members of the Clinical Reference Groups and managerial colleagues to ensure the project/work programme objectives are prioritised and delivered, using a range of communication methods to suit the varying audiences

18. Is the main point of contact and link to expertise and resources regarding the specific projects

19. Challenge and hold to account the Project Clinical Leads and their Project Boards if they exhibit a lack of ambition or consider objectives that do not contribute towards those of Greater Manchester Diagnostic Network

20. Maintain excellent communication for wider Greater Manchester Diagnostic developments

21. Formally update the Greater Manchester Diagnostic Network Senior Leadership Team via the assurance framework with project plans, and identify where support or challenge is needed

22. Responsible for creation of reports and papers from the postholders data sources/involvement with the programmes of work to update the Greater Manchester & Pharmacy Partnership Group on project developments and to seek approval for recommended action

Human Resources

23. Responsible for the recruitment of administration/support staff

24. Line management of administration/support staff, including appraisal and development, performance, and work streams, including responsibility for grievance and disciplinary procedures

25. Maintaining all records pertaining to line management functions

26. Contributing to the recruitment and annual appraisal of the Project Clinical Leads (senior clinicians)

Data and information

27. Research general and tumour-specific background data and literature from national and international sources to support the programmes of work/projects/focus of future projects across Greater Manchester organisations/Trusts

28. Collate data and literature into concise reports and tools and present to relevant Boards to support the direction of the projects

29. Develop measurable outcomes for each element of the project and track and report progress to the relevant Boards and GM Diagnostic Network Senior leadership Team.

30. Analyse diagnostic data and intelligence to identify trends, key messages, and opportunities to improve patient outcomes and experience

31. Support GM Diagnostic Network programmes in the collation, critical analysis, and presentation of GM system-wide audit data, comparing this to national data to inform decisions and prioritisation of objectives

32. Use of appropriate systems such as Curator/Tableau to create reports to inform GM-wide system performance for the specified projects

Financial Management

33. Manage and monitor the budgets associated with the projects including procurement, transacting funds to the relevant organisations and regular reporting of spend for local, regional, and national financial returns

34. Lead the development of funding bids and business cases including the establishment of a compelling case of need required to support the implementation of performance programmes. This will also include budget analysis, modelling and projection to ensure that the programmes continue to maximise all available external funding and revenue streams throughout their lifecycle.

35. Ensure a comprehensive benefits realisation strategy is in place, including management of benefits beyond the lifecycle of the programmes to ensure that the programmes deliver the expected outcomes and improvements

36. Accountable for authorising expenditure of projects in line with agreed delegated authorities/decision rights

Planning and reporting

37. In conjunction with the Project Clinical Leads and their Project Boards, manage responses to the NHSE Long Term Plan diagnostic elements

38. Develop system-wide (across GM Trusts and organisations) operational procedures and documentation in line with national strategies for the relevant staff within these Trusts/organisations to use operationally, to ensure equitable access and progression of the diagnostic pathways and specific services

39. Develop and manage the projects to contribute towards the delivery of the GM Diagnostic workplan in conjunction with the Project Clinical Leads. Ensuring the projects contain clear objectives, tasks and identified leads, and holding these leads to account for their specific actions

40. Manage and monitor a number of competing deadlines to support delivery of the projects instigating corrective action where appropriate

41. Develop and support Project Boards in defining outcome measures so that achievement can be monitored during the year

42. Track progress against the project outcome measures and provide progress reports to GM Diagnostic Network

43. Develop and maintain a risk register for the Project objectives, reporting risks and issues to the Project Clinical Lead (Greater Manchester trusts will retain responsibility for the clinical governance of diagnostic services provision)

Quality and peer review

44. Work collaboratively with GM Diagnostic Network programmes and across the GM system to ensure adherence to all required quality assurance programmes, including the national quality surveillance programme and peer review across GM Trusts

45. Proactively engage and work to embedding policies/agreements that relate to post holders projects to develop and sustain services that meet local and national commissioner specifications and NICE improving outcomes guidance

Behaviours

46. Demonstrates the agreed set of GM Diagnostic Network values and is accountable for own attitude and behaviour

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to postgraduate degree level or equivalent or significant experience of working at a similar level
  • Postgraduate degree in management studies or equivalent or significant experience of working at a similar level

Desirable

  • Formal project management qualification (e.g., PRINCE 2 practitioner or equivalent)

Experience

Essential

  • Has worked with senior clinical colleagues to improve services in one of the domains covered in the Diagnostic Network portfolio
  • Has managed members of staff
  • Has led projects in complex and challenging environments
  • Has managed and reported on risks and issues
  • Has financial management experience
  • Has delivered service changes and improvements within own area or organisation
  • Has supported the delivery of plans for service changes and improvements across multiple teams or organisations

Desirable

  • Has worked in a Greater Manchester health care environment

Skills

Essential

  • Can use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint software to a high standard
  • Can produce concise and insightful written materials for senior stakeholders or a broader audience as appropriate
  • Can create and deliver presentations to a broad range of different stakeholders
  • Can influence others to develop a shared vision
  • Can challenge other team members and senior colleagues when necessary
  • Numerate and able to understand complex financial information
  • Can analyse very complex information from a wide range of sources where material may be conflicting
  • Can use experience to make inferences and act where information is incomplete
  • Can develop plans for the short and long term for services that extend across multiple organisations and adjust them as required
  • Can monitor progress against plans, escalating risks and issues as appropriate
  • Can manage own workload
  • Can make informed decisions in the absence of complete information
  • Can work to demanding and changing timescales

Knowledge

Essential

  • Has a thorough understanding of diagnostic services in Greater Manchester

VALUES

Essential

  • Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours
  • Committed to quality in all that they do
  • Values diversity and difference and promotes equality of opportunity
  • Committed to working to help clinicians deliver better outcomes for patients
  • Committed to patient and carer involvement in the development of health services
  • Committed to the use of evidence and clinical consensus to bring about change Operates with integrity and openness
  • Committed to personal development and supporting others to do the same
  • Energetic and enthusiastic, capable of generating enthusiasm in others
  • Challenges received wisdom and acceptance of the status quo

OTHER

Essential

  • Some travel across Greater Manchester and East Cheshire is required as part of this role
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to postgraduate degree level or equivalent or significant experience of working at a similar level
  • Postgraduate degree in management studies or equivalent or significant experience of working at a similar level

Desirable

  • Formal project management qualification (e.g., PRINCE 2 practitioner or equivalent)

Experience

Essential

  • Has worked with senior clinical colleagues to improve services in one of the domains covered in the Diagnostic Network portfolio
  • Has managed members of staff
  • Has led projects in complex and challenging environments
  • Has managed and reported on risks and issues
  • Has financial management experience
  • Has delivered service changes and improvements within own area or organisation
  • Has supported the delivery of plans for service changes and improvements across multiple teams or organisations

Desirable

  • Has worked in a Greater Manchester health care environment

Skills

Essential

  • Can use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint software to a high standard
  • Can produce concise and insightful written materials for senior stakeholders or a broader audience as appropriate
  • Can create and deliver presentations to a broad range of different stakeholders
  • Can influence others to develop a shared vision
  • Can challenge other team members and senior colleagues when necessary
  • Numerate and able to understand complex financial information
  • Can analyse very complex information from a wide range of sources where material may be conflicting
  • Can use experience to make inferences and act where information is incomplete
  • Can develop plans for the short and long term for services that extend across multiple organisations and adjust them as required
  • Can monitor progress against plans, escalating risks and issues as appropriate
  • Can manage own workload
  • Can make informed decisions in the absence of complete information
  • Can work to demanding and changing timescales

Knowledge

Essential

  • Has a thorough understanding of diagnostic services in Greater Manchester

VALUES

Essential

  • Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours
  • Committed to quality in all that they do
  • Values diversity and difference and promotes equality of opportunity
  • Committed to working to help clinicians deliver better outcomes for patients
  • Committed to patient and carer involvement in the development of health services
  • Committed to the use of evidence and clinical consensus to bring about change Operates with integrity and openness
  • Committed to personal development and supporting others to do the same
  • Energetic and enthusiastic, capable of generating enthusiasm in others
  • Challenges received wisdom and acceptance of the status quo

OTHER

Essential

  • Some travel across Greater Manchester and East Cheshire is required as part of this role

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

The Christie NHS FT

Address

Greater Manchester Cancer Services - E00466

Wilmslow Road

Manchester

M20 4BX


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

The Christie NHS FT

Address

Greater Manchester Cancer Services - E00466

Wilmslow Road

Manchester

M20 4BX


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Associate Director

Alison Armstrong

alison.armstrong7@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

09 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

6 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

413-103177-GMC-SD

Job locations

Greater Manchester Cancer Services - E00466

Wilmslow Road

Manchester

M20 4BX


Supporting documents

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