NHS England

Senior Programme Manager

The closing date is 31 August 2025

Job summary

We are recruiting for a Senior Programme Manager to working within our Cyber Operations function.

Cyber Operations purpose is to support safe care and build public trust by building NHS England's cyber resilience and enabling the wider health system to be cyber resilient, supporting Transformation Directorate's purpose of delivering the best care and outcomes for the NHS.

Cyber Operations sub-directorate consists of 4 operational areas:o Cyber Security Operations Unit (CSOU).o Cyber Delivery Unit (CDU).o Cyber Improvement Programme (CIP).o Chief Information Security Office Function (CISO)

At the highest level, the Cyber Delivery Unit comprises of four pillars:o Delivery Infrastructureo Cyber Security Engagemento Delivery Tiger Teamo Regional Engagement

Main duties of the job

In this role you will be responsible for leading on the delivery of high value multiple IT/Technology and people projects and programmes of work that directly impact across the health and care sector.

You will be cyber operations "champion for change"; being responsible for delivering programmes that support the Cyber Operations vision of 'a cyber resilient NHS England, where security choices are evidence based and business enabling aligned to the agreed risk appetite' both within NHS England and the wider health and care sector.

Your main responsibilities will be: -o Leading on whole programme lifecycles, each containing multiple projects, relating to system change that will facilitate the uptake of initiatives that support and embed cyber excellence within the health system, championing best practice.

o Communicating the vision for NHS England and Cyber Operations; leading the development of operational/delivery strategies, plans, milestones, performance indicators and guidance that support this vision from a programmatic standpoint.

o Develop complex communications to support clear project reporting and project outcomes; this will from time to time include dealing with contentious issues.

o Leading the Cyber Infrastructure Team, including line management of function leads.

It is desirable that you will have experience in delivering large scale; sector driven, technical programmes of work and has some previous experience in benefits realisation.

About us

The NHS England board have set out the top-level purpose for the new organisation to lead the NHS in England to deliver high-quality services for all, which will inform the detailed design work and we will achieve this purpose by:

  • Enabling local systems and providers to improve the health of their people and patients and reduce health inequalities.
  • Making the NHS a great place to work, where our people can make a difference and achieve their potential.
  • Working collaboratively to ensure our healthcare workforce has the right knowledge, skills, values and behaviours to deliver accessible, compassionate care
  • Optimising the use of digital technology, research, and innovation
  • Delivering value for money.

If you would like to know more or require further information, please visithttps://www.england.nhs.uk/.

Colleagues with a contractual office base are expected to spend, on average, at least 40% of their time working in-person.

Staff recruited from outside the NHS will usually be appointed at the bottom of the pay band.

NHS England hold a Sponsor Licence; this means that we may be able to sponsor you providing the Home Office requirements are met. To be eligible for sponsorship through the Skilled Worker route you'll usually need to be paid the 'standard' salary rate of at least £38,700 per year, or the 'going rate' for your job, whichever is higher. You can find more information on the Government website.

Details

Date posted

15 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8c

Salary

£76,965 to £88,682 a year (exclusive of HCAS)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

14 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

990-TD-14992-E

Job locations

Any NHSE Office

Leeds/London/Exeter: Other Locations could be considered

LS1 4AP


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more information about the role and responsibilities. Please ensure your supporting statement includes demonstratable evidence and specific examples on how you meet the criteria for each of the key skills specified. This will be used in both the shortlisting and interview processes

Important: Please be aware there are residency requirements you need to meet:

All NHS England Cyber Security personnel must hold Security Clearance level as a minimum. To meet National Security Vetting requirements, SC clearances require 5 years continuous UK residency. In certain cases, this can be reduced to three years continuous UK residency, with additional overseas checks for the previous two years. Candidates who were posted abroad for service with HM Government, Armed Forces or within a UK government role - will still be considered.Please make sure you meet these requirements before applying for this role. You dont need to have SC already, however, failure to achieve the requirements for SC after offer will result in the job offer being withdrawn. For further advice please check https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels#security-check-sc

Please note that the reason for the fixed term of this contract isshort term vacancy.

If you like what you have read and think you have the skills and experience, we need then don't delay, apply today! We get lots of applications for our roles and so we sometimes have to close our posts early. Don't miss out!

Secondment

Applicants from within the NHS will be offered on a secondment basis only, agreement should be obtained from their employer prior to submitting the application.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more information about the role and responsibilities. Please ensure your supporting statement includes demonstratable evidence and specific examples on how you meet the criteria for each of the key skills specified. This will be used in both the shortlisting and interview processes

Important: Please be aware there are residency requirements you need to meet:

All NHS England Cyber Security personnel must hold Security Clearance level as a minimum. To meet National Security Vetting requirements, SC clearances require 5 years continuous UK residency. In certain cases, this can be reduced to three years continuous UK residency, with additional overseas checks for the previous two years. Candidates who were posted abroad for service with HM Government, Armed Forces or within a UK government role - will still be considered.Please make sure you meet these requirements before applying for this role. You dont need to have SC already, however, failure to achieve the requirements for SC after offer will result in the job offer being withdrawn. For further advice please check https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels#security-check-sc

Please note that the reason for the fixed term of this contract isshort term vacancy.

If you like what you have read and think you have the skills and experience, we need then don't delay, apply today! We get lots of applications for our roles and so we sometimes have to close our posts early. Don't miss out!

Secondment

Applicants from within the NHS will be offered on a secondment basis only, agreement should be obtained from their employer prior to submitting the application.

Person Specification

Knowledge

Essential

  • Has led on change programmes and facilitate the uptake of initiatives that support and embed excellence within the health system; evidencing how they were a champion for best practice, learning from experience and from others, supporting the spread of innovation within the organisation and beyond.
  • Can evidence how they have communicated, engage and build relationships with key strategic policy makers to influence the development of strategy and policies across the organisation and the wider health and social care system.

Desirable

  • Has had oversight on the delivery of benefits and track realisation of project/programme outcomes.

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to Masters level in a relevant area of academic practice or equivalent experience working at a commensurate band / level.
  • To have one or more of the below programme /project management qualifications or equivalent level of experience: oManaging Successful. oProgrammes Practitioner oManaging Successful Programmes Advanced oPractitioner. oP3O Practitioner. oMajor Projects Leadership Academy.

Skills and Experience

Essential

  • Can evidence how they have developed complex communications including how they have interrogated and analysed, sometimes highly complex and contentious, information to support the delivery of clear project reporting and project outcomes.
  • Can evidence how they have communicated the vision for NHS England and support the development of strategy and operational policies that support this vision, including reporting on progress and managing risks and issues, acting as a point of escalation for project managers within the team, including the development and management of KPI/KRI and milestones.
  • Has managed whole programme lifecycles, containing multiple projects through to effective closure of a number of programmes relating to system change, ensuring excellent governance throughout

Desirable

  • Has managed large scale IT programmes of work that have directly impacted the sector
Person Specification

Knowledge

Essential

  • Has led on change programmes and facilitate the uptake of initiatives that support and embed excellence within the health system; evidencing how they were a champion for best practice, learning from experience and from others, supporting the spread of innovation within the organisation and beyond.
  • Can evidence how they have communicated, engage and build relationships with key strategic policy makers to influence the development of strategy and policies across the organisation and the wider health and social care system.

Desirable

  • Has had oversight on the delivery of benefits and track realisation of project/programme outcomes.

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to Masters level in a relevant area of academic practice or equivalent experience working at a commensurate band / level.
  • To have one or more of the below programme /project management qualifications or equivalent level of experience: oManaging Successful. oProgrammes Practitioner oManaging Successful Programmes Advanced oPractitioner. oP3O Practitioner. oMajor Projects Leadership Academy.

Skills and Experience

Essential

  • Can evidence how they have developed complex communications including how they have interrogated and analysed, sometimes highly complex and contentious, information to support the delivery of clear project reporting and project outcomes.
  • Can evidence how they have communicated the vision for NHS England and support the development of strategy and operational policies that support this vision, including reporting on progress and managing risks and issues, acting as a point of escalation for project managers within the team, including the development and management of KPI/KRI and milestones.
  • Has managed whole programme lifecycles, containing multiple projects through to effective closure of a number of programmes relating to system change, ensuring excellent governance throughout

Desirable

  • Has managed large scale IT programmes of work that have directly impacted the sector

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.

Employer details

Employer name

NHS England

Address

Any NHSE Office

Leeds/London/Exeter: Other Locations could be considered

LS1 4AP


Employer's website

https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/working-for/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

NHS England

Address

Any NHSE Office

Leeds/London/Exeter: Other Locations could be considered

LS1 4AP


Employer's website

https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/working-for/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Deputy Director of Security (Delivery)

Catherine O'Keeffe

england.cyberoperationsrecruitment@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

15 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8c

Salary

£76,965 to £88,682 a year (exclusive of HCAS)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

14 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

990-TD-14992-E

Job locations

Any NHSE Office

Leeds/London/Exeter: Other Locations could be considered

LS1 4AP


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

NHS England's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)