ACCEND Project Manager

Job summary The Aspirant Cancer Career and Education Development programme (ACCEND) will provide transformational reform in the education, training and career pathways for cancer support workers, nurses and AHPs supporting people affected by cancer. Herts and West Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) is seeking to appoint an experienced professional with project management expertise to work alongside the Lead Cancer Nurses in supporting and driving transformation across the ICB. The post holder will work with a range of stakeholders to develop a strategy and ensure that the implementation of the ACCEND framework is successfully integrated into cancer services across Herts and West Essex Geographical footprint. Main duties of the job Develop a strategy for the implementation of ACCEND across East and North Herts, Watford Teaching Hospital and Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trusts. Run socialization sessions and drop‑in clinics within Trusts. Baseline all training and development opportunities currently offered across the Trusts and externally. Review and map identified training and development opportunities to the capabilities within the ACCEND framework. Empower staff to use self‑assessment tools to demonstrate their existing skills, knowledge, and capabilities and to identify training that will support them to fulfil any training needs. Advise on possible digital passport solutions and their integration with professional development reviews across the three Trusts taking into account the transformation projects occurring across the acute trust. Review and standardise job roles and descriptions using the capabilities within the framework. Work flexibly but will be expected to travel and work across all three Trusts East and North Herts, Watford Teaching Hospital and Princess Alexandra NHS Trusts. Work in close partnership with the other Trusts in the East of England for a region‑wide approach. The post holder will be required to attend meetings (face to face and via Teams) within the ICB, region and potentially other regions, as agreed with the Lead Cancer Nurses. About us The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high‑quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wave; a national programme that’s changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined‑up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector. This means we’re working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives. We’re a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences. Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex. Details Date posted: 05 December 2025 Pay scheme: Agenda for change Band: Band 8a Salary: £57,888 to £64,880 a year Contract: Fixed term Duration: 12 months Working pattern: Full‑time Reference number: 000286 Job locations: The Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow, Essex, CM20 1QX Responsibilities Operational To deliver the requirements listed above; engage and liaise with key stakeholder, in particular: To support the delivery of day‑to‑day activities and projects To drive delivery of a range of business initiatives and projects To support the identification and sharing of best practice in employee engagement To operate in a highly political and sensitive environment To support the portfolio of initiatives in demonstrating value for money for the current spend through tracking, managing and delivering agreed benefits Project Management Lead in the delivery of project plans, allocating tasks as appropriate, identifying risks, issues and dependencies, considering best practice and current options and ultimately making decisions in the best interest of the project Develop a comprehensive and cohesive plan for the transition period which is consistent with the overall project timetable, meets the strategic direction of the team and minimises unnecessary disruption to stakeholders involved in the process and is operationally sound Pro‑actively manage stakeholders, respond to and resolve conflict between different stakeholders when this arises through facilitation or other appropriate mechanisms Be responsible for a high standard of work supporting the delivery of projects on time, to quality standards and in a cost‑effective manner Maintain the project initiation document and associated plans with regular team meetings to monitor progress and resources Ensure the flexibility of the project if required to meet conflicting/changing requirements Responsible for the planning and organisation of numerous events/meetings Ensuring communication tools are used to their maximum value for circulating the minutes, agenda and presentations in a timely manner Demonstrate effective stakeholder management across different departments and at all levels Support other project managers as and when required Take into account the impact of any change the projects will have on the business and oversee handover of any products to ensure full ownership and buy‑in within the business Advocate the projects at senior and executive levels and ensure active engagement and sponsorship within NHS as a whole Ensure that the projects maintain business focus, have clear authority and that the context, including risks, are actively managed in alignment with the strategic priorities of NHS Financial and Physical Resources Act in a way that is compliant with Standing Orders and Standing Financial Instructions in the discharge of budget management responsibilities Responsible for ensuring adherence to the budget, ongoing monitoring of expenditure against budget and ensuring the appropriate documentation is available for scrutiny Identify products, equipment, services and facilities for assigned activities, achieving stakeholder buy‑in as required Place orders and sign invoices, keeping mindful of budget limitations Responsible for making recommendations, providing advice and able to prepare strategic reports/briefings for the Head of Department, Steering/Reference Groups and others as required Staff Management Directly responsible for day‑to‑day work assigned Forge close positive working relationships, in order to support an effective matrix approach to achieve NHS objectives To support, motivate and develop staff within the team to ensure that they are able to deliver the new responsibilities of the NHS strategy Information Management Drafting reports summarising status on issues, appraising outcomes, and providing progress reports for the Head of Department Collate as required, qualitative and quantitative information and lead appropriate analysis to develop robust business cases and contribute to project ‘products’ Analyse, interpret and present data to highlight issues, risks and support decision making Policy and Service Development Responsible for proposing and drafting changes, implementation and interpretation to policies, guidelines and service level agreements (SLAs) which may impact service Proposes changes to own function making recommendations for other service delivery The post holder will need to maintain good knowledge of emerging policies from government departments for example pensions, change management, constitution This will assist in the thinking and definition of the strategy discussions for the Network and stakeholders Research and Development Plan, develop and evaluate methods and processes for gathering, analysing, interpreting and presenting data and information Deliver projects to comply with key performance indicators Co‑ordinate Research & Development initiatives, delegating as appropriate Planning and Organisation Contribute to the strategic planning of team projects, identifying interdependencies across projects/functions, potential impacts on wider organisation, resource requirements and building in contingency and adjustments as necessary Contribute to the development of performance and governance strategies and the development and implementation of improvement programmes, in accordance with relevant priorities Contribute to short, medium and long term business plans, achieving quality outcomes Person Specification Qualifications (Essential) Educated to masters level or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in specialist area Evidence of post‑qualifying and continuing professional development Member of relevant professional body Experience (Essential) Must be able to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information, negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues, and present complex and sensitive information to large and influential groups Negotiate on difficult and controversial issues including performance and change Experience of managing and motivating a team and reviewing performance of the individuals Needs to have a thorough understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships both in terms of day‑to‑day working practices, but also in relation to management systems Experience of identifying and interpreting national policy Desirable Comprehensive experience of project principles, techniques and tools such as PRINCE2 and Managing Successful Projects 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 The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust The Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow, Essex, CM20 1QX Employer website https://www.pah.nhs.uk #J-18808-Ljbffr