Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

Climb Programme Manager 8a

The closing date is 22 September 2025

Job summary

As a senior professional manager the post holder will play a key role in supporting the Dragon's Heart Institute and Shaping Change team in the development and implementation of the Climb Programme and associated projects as part of the Intensive Learning Academy for Innovation in Health and Social Care (ILA:IHSC). Climb is a 10-month programme which combines world-leading teaching with immersive development experiences. It has a focus on innovation in health and care, enabling candidates to learn new skills, forge networks and build relationships that will support them for the rest of their careers. The post holder will manage dedicated project resources contributing to project delivery. The post holder will also work closely with identified managers within partner organisations to ensure the programme delivers against ILA:IHSC commitments. In particular, the post holder will have specific programme management responsibilities, often working within tight timescales and competing demands. As well as shaping change by designing and implementing new policies and systems related to the ILA:IHSC the post holder will need to use their influencing skills to make fundamental changes to the way we work, overcoming resistance along the way.

English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Main duties of the job

Lead Programme DeliveryManage the full lifecycle of the Climb Programme--from initiation and recruitment to delivery, evaluation, reporting and mobilisation of alumni.

Strategic Planning & AlignmentWork with senior leads to align Climb's strategic and operational priorities with Welsh Government goals and ILA:IHSC commitments.

Stakeholder EngagementEngage with internal and external stakeholders to co-design and deliver programme outcomes, ensuring effective communication and collaboration.

Performance ManagementDevelop and implement performance frameworks, metrics, and reporting systems to monitor progress and assure quality delivery.

Financial OversightEnsure the programme is delivered within budget, monitor financial variance, and support income generation strategies for long-term sustainability.

Leadership & Team DevelopmentLead project teams, workshops, and engagement events, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and high performance.

Communication StrategyPresent complex information to diverse audiences including Welsh Government, academia, and delivery partners, ensuring clarity and impact.

Governance & Risk ManagementMaintain robust systems for financial, staff, audit, and information governance, and actively manage programme risks.

Cross-Sector CollaborationWork with other ILA programmes across Wales and UK to share best practices, learnings, and innovations.

About us

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest Integrated Health Boards in the UK, employing over 17,000 staff, providing over 100 specialist services. Working across 6 hospital sites, we have a diverse range of career opportunities to offer. Serving over 500,000 people living in Cardiff and the Vale, we are focussed on the health and care needs of our local population whilst working with our partners to develop regional services. Together we are committed to improving health outcomes for everyone, delivering excellent care and support.

Our mission is "Living Well, Caring Well, Working Together", and our vision is that every person's chance of leading a healthy life should be equal. Our 10-year transformation and improvement strategy, Shaping Our Future Wellbeing, is our chance to work collaboratively with the public and our workforce to make our health board more sustainable for the future.

Details

Date posted

08 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£56,514 to £63,623 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

001-AC179-0925

Job locations

Woodland House

Maes-y-Coed Road

Cardiff

CF144TT


Job description

Job responsibilities

The main responsibilities and further detail can be found in the job description and person specification.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The main responsibilities and further detail can be found in the job description and person specification.

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

  • Educated to Masters level or equivalent level of knowledge and experience
  • Highly developed knowledge of project management methodologies and techniques, including change management and service redesign, acquired through training, experience and/or qualification to Masters or equivalent level

EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • In-depth specialist knowledge and expertise across a range of disciplines including Performance Management, Project Management, Leadership, Innovation, Quality and Service Improvement Tools/Techniques
  • Partnership working and stakeholder management acquired through training and experience over an extended period

Desirable

  • Knowledge of the work of other partners, including universities, local authorities and the third sector

SKILLS

Essential

  • Up to date knowledge and understanding of current priorities within the Welsh Public Sector
  • Demonstrable ability to communicate effectively using excellent communication skills, including strong report writing and presentation skills

PERSONAL QUALITIES

Essential

  • Understands the need to deliver short-term priorities and achieve long-term goals with a sense of balance
  • Ability to "broad scan" to keep abreast of developments in public services

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE

Essential

  • Knowledge of organisational performance management principles and practice

Desirable

  • Knowledge of leadership theory and adult learning approaches
Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

  • Educated to Masters level or equivalent level of knowledge and experience
  • Highly developed knowledge of project management methodologies and techniques, including change management and service redesign, acquired through training, experience and/or qualification to Masters or equivalent level

EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • In-depth specialist knowledge and expertise across a range of disciplines including Performance Management, Project Management, Leadership, Innovation, Quality and Service Improvement Tools/Techniques
  • Partnership working and stakeholder management acquired through training and experience over an extended period

Desirable

  • Knowledge of the work of other partners, including universities, local authorities and the third sector

SKILLS

Essential

  • Up to date knowledge and understanding of current priorities within the Welsh Public Sector
  • Demonstrable ability to communicate effectively using excellent communication skills, including strong report writing and presentation skills

PERSONAL QUALITIES

Essential

  • Understands the need to deliver short-term priorities and achieve long-term goals with a sense of balance
  • Ability to "broad scan" to keep abreast of developments in public services

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE

Essential

  • Knowledge of organisational performance management principles and practice

Desirable

  • Knowledge of leadership theory and adult learning approaches

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

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

Address

Woodland House

Maes-y-Coed Road

Cardiff

CF144TT


Employer's website

https://cavuhb.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

Address

Woodland House

Maes-y-Coed Road

Cardiff

CF144TT


Employer's website

https://cavuhb.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head of the Dragon's Heart Institute

Huw Griffiths

huw.griffiths@wales.nhs.uk

07793274468

Details

Date posted

08 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£56,514 to £63,623 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

001-AC179-0925

Job locations

Woodland House

Maes-y-Coed Road

Cardiff

CF144TT


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)