Project Lead

Job responsibilities

Main duties and Responsibilities

Project and Transformation Delivery

Lead a portfolio of projects and improvement initiatives aligned to GPSU priorities and the needs of general practice.

Support practices, PCNs and neighbourhood teams to identify opportunities for service redesign, efficiency and quality improvement.

Apply recognised project management and improvement methodologies proportionate to the scale and complexity of initiatives.

Develop and maintain key project documentation including project plans, action logs, risk registers, benefits plans and highlight reports.

Monitor delivery against agreed milestones, escalating risks and issues appropriately.

Support implementation and embedding of new ways of working, ensuring improvements are sustained beyond project closure.

Ensure projects deliver agreed outcomes, benefits and service improvements.

Service Transformation & Improvement

Facilitate pathway reviews, workflow redesign and service improvement activities across primary care settings.

Use improvement tools and techniques such as process mapping, PDSA cycles, driver diagrams and stakeholder analysis to support change.

Work collaboratively with frontline teams to understand challenges and co-produce practical solutions.

Support testing, evaluation and implementation of improvement ideas.

Promote continuous improvement approaches and shared learning across organisations and teams

Engagement, Co-Design & Partnership Working

Build effective working relationships with clinicians, managers, practice teams, PCNs, neighbourhood teams and wider system partners.

Facilitate workshops, meetings and engagement events to support project delivery and service redesign.

Support meaningful engagement with patients, carers and communities to ensure services are shaped by lived experience.

Manage stakeholder expectations and navigate competing priorities professionally and diplomatically.

Develop collaborative approaches that encourage participation, ownership and adoption of change.

Governance, Reporting & Assurance

Provide clear and timely reports to governance groups, programme boards and senior leaders.

Maintain accurate project records and reporting systems.

Monitor progress, risks, issues and dependencies, taking appropriate corrective action where required.

Ensure projects are delivered in line with organisational governance arrangements, policies and procedures.

Support the preparation of business cases, briefing papers and project updates where required.

Data, Insight & Benefits Realisation

Work with colleagues and stakeholders to identify measures of success and project outcomes.

Use quantitative and qualitative information to inform decision-making and project delivery.

Support the monitoring and evaluation of project performance.

Track benefits and outcomes to demonstrate impact and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Contribute to the development of reports, dashboards and presentations that communicate progress and achievements.

Communication & Influencing

Produce clear, concise and engaging communications for a range of audiences.

Present complex information in a way that is understandable and actionable.

Influence and support stakeholders through periods of change.

Build credibility and trust through a collaborative and solutions-focused approach.

Support GPSU events, webinars, engagement sessions and meetings as required.

Continuous Improvement & Professional Development

Participate in relevant professional development activities and training opportunities.

Work flexibly to support occasional events and meetings outside normal working hours.

Scope and Autonomy

Responsible for the day-to-day leadership and coordination of assigned projects and improvement initiatives.

Works independently across multiple programmes of work, prioritising activities within agreed objectives.

Uses professional judgement to manage delivery risks and make recommendations for action.

No direct line management responsibility but will lead, coordinate and influence multidisciplinary teams through matrix working arrangements.

Personal Effectiveness

Prioritise and manage own workload effectively across competing demands, working with a high degree of autonomy within agreed objectives.

Take ownership of personal development, maintaining awareness of NHS, public sector and transformation best practice.

Attend relevant GPSU, practice, PCN and system meetings.

Be flexible to support occasional events or meetings outside normal working hours as required.

This post is subject to continual development. The job description is intended as a guide to the key responsibilities and duties of the post. It is not inclusive of all duties, and you may be required to provide additional support at the request of the line manager.

Other Requirements

Essential

• Right to work in the UK
• Flexible to attend in-person meetings/events across Somerset
• Car driver with willingness to travel within the county as required

Qualifications

Essential

• Evidence of continuous professional development

Desirable

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience in a relevant role
• Project or programme management qualification (e.g. Prince2 Foundation, APM) or equivalent experience

Other requirements

Essential

• Right to work in the UK
• Flexible to attend in-person meetings/events across Somerset
• Car driver with willingness to travel within the county as required

Training and Communication

Essential

• Willing to undertake mandatory training required by
• GPSU
• Willing to undertake role-related training as identified by the line manager
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with colleagues and stakeholders
• Capable of communicating confidently and clearly across a range of platforms

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience of supporting delivery of transformation or improvement programmes
• Experience of managing workstreams, tracking milestones and reporting on progress
• Strong planning and organisational skills
• Able to identify and track benefits, opportunities, risks and issues.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure
• Knowledge of the NHS, primary care, or public sector landscape
• Able to demonstrate advanced computer literacy / keyboard skills

Experience

Essential

• Experience of supporting engagement or co-design with people who use services
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills experience to influence and engage partners
• Extensive experience of working effectively as part of a team and positively contributing to shared objectives
• Experience of having to communicate complex or sensitive information to a variety of audiences

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Adaptable and resilient in a dynamic working environment
• Enthusiastic, creative, and self-motivated
• Committed to upholding confidentiality and professional integrity
• Demonstrates empathy, diplomacy, and professionalism in all interactions
• Works effectively independently and as part of a team
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Excellent time management skills