Head of Programmes

This role is highly autonomous, requiring interpretation of national policy and strategies. It involves the expert analysis, synthesis and regular providing and receiving of highly complex and sensitive information, where there are significant barriers to acceptance which need to be overcome using the highest level of interpersonal and communication skills, such as would be required when communicating in a highly emotive atmosphere, both within the Trust and with external stakeholders.

The Head of Programmes role will report directly to the Chief Operating Officer and provide support to all aspects of delivery in the COO office. These include:
Annual Business planning co-ordination

Benefits tracking and escalation across programmes

CQC well led preparation

NHSE priorities as they arise through planning rounds and in an ad-hoc way

Pathology business unit support

Children’s Hospital Programme delivery

Oversight of response to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to COO

The role will also specifically take on a wholistic view of the programmes of work of the moment that impact on the COO’s portfolio.

The Head of Programmes will provide overall support to the COO in discharging this role, with particular emphasis on the programmatic frameworks and governance required to run the stabilisation phase.

The strategic planning aspects of the role will include a longer term view impacting delivery across the organisation and at times across the sector. The post holder will then distill the strategy to produce and maintain an annual work programme for the COO aligned to the organisation and COO office strategy to ensure successful delivery of objectives and management of risk to delivery.

The post holder will be responsible for interpreting national, regional and local organisational policy and creating and managing implementation plans on behalf of the COO.

The post holder will be managing, co-ordinating and leading multi-disciplinary teams both within and out with the COO team whilst ensuring a consistent approach to programme delivery. This will involve providing guidance, ensuring compliance and authority around standards and quality

The role will require the post holder to be confident in collating and presenting highly complex information on progress to programme steering groups, boards and other senior meetings, adapting content to the audience.

The post holder will be managing highly sensitive and complex information, working with senior colleagues across the organisation, ensuring that it is communicated to the relevant audience(s) in line with Trust standards.

The post holder will be required to analyse all new regulatory Corporate and integrated governance-related developments and advising the COO on the implications, recommending courses of action.

Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals, joined Guy’s and St Thomas’ in February 2021 forming the largest specialist heart and lung centre in the UK and among the largest in Europe. We provide treatment for people with heart and lung disease, including rare and complex conditions, offering some of the most sophisticated treatments that are available anywhere in the world.

We have around 22,700 staff, making us one of the largest NHS Trusts in the country and one of the biggest employers locally. We aim to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and continue to develop new and existing partnerships with local people, patients, neighbouring NHS organisations, local authorities and charitable bodies and GPs.

We strive to recruit and retain the best staff as the dedication and skills of our employees lie at the heart of our organisation and ensure that our services are of the highest quality, safe and focused on our patients.

Key Relationships

Executive Directors

Chief of Staff and Corporate Affairs team

Clinical Group CEOs

Programme leadership teams e.g. Apollo senior leadership team

Relevant corporate services leadership teams

COO office senior team

Acute Partner Collaborative South East London

Knowledge, training and expertise

To direct and lead a support team in the COO office ensuring that their work is aligned to the delivery of the COO office priorities

Utilise expert clinical programme and operational experience to lead and deliver projects and programmes on behalf of the COO including ensuring adequate training is in place and developing this where needed.

To initiate, arrange and chair meetings between COO and Trust senior multidisciplinary staff and programme implementation teams as required.

To develop and provide an internal COO office development roadmap

Communication and relationship management

Use highly developed leadership and influencing skills with the ability to enthuse, motivate and involve individuals and teams;
Deploy expert communication, negotiation and influencing skills to build and maintain excellent working relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders on a range