Programme Manager

Job Overview

Wessex Health Partners, the Academic Health Science Partnership for Wessex, is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us at one of England’s leading regional innovation partnerships as Programme Manager at a pivotal moment for the NHS, life sciences sector and the wider health and care system.

Job Overview

Wessex Health Partners, the Academic Health Science Partnership for Wessex, is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us at one of England’s leading regional innovation partnerships as Programme Manager at a pivotal moment for the NHS, life sciences sector and the wider health and care system.

This is a 23‑month fixed-term vacancy (secondment will be considered for existing NHS employees).

Job Title: Programme Manager

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Contract Length: 23 Months

Purpose for Fixed Term: Limited Term Project

Main duties of the job

We are seeking a proactive, strategic and highly capable Programme Manager to lead one or more Wessex Health Partners driver initiatives and support delivery of our ambitious annual and five‑year plan.

You may already be an experienced Programme Manager, or you may be someone ready to take the next step into a more senior, complex and outward‑facing role. If you have strong project or programme management experience, excellent stakeholder skills and a passion for innovation and transformation, we will support you to grow into the full breadth of this role.

As part of our team, you will be responsible for developing and managing project plans, coordinating multi‑disciplinary stakeholders, evaluating impact, preparing reports and promotional materials, and ensuring effective dissemination of project outcomes. You will gather and analyse data, assess feasibility of plans, support funding applications, and contribute to the development of Wessex Health Partners' research and innovation pathway.

You will have experience of managing delegated budgets. You will demonstrate strong judgement, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work autonomously while contributing to a collaborative, agile and high‑performing team.

This role requires resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to improving health outcomes, accelerating innovation and supporting large‑scale transformation across Wessex.

Working for our organisation

With Wessex Health Partners you will have the opportunity to influence some of the most important challenges facing health and care today while helping shape the future of research and innovation across the NHS.

You will join a highly regarded partnership with a national reputation for collaboration, delivery and impact. Wessex Health Partners is a partnership of 15 organisations, including 10 NHS, 4 Universities and Health Innovation Wessex, with staff employed by University Hospital Southampton.

We Offer

A unique opportunity to work at the forefront of healthcare research, innovation, and transformation.

Flexible and hybrid working arrangements - typically a minimum of two days in the office or out visiting partners/stakeholders, with home working aligned to role and business needs.

Commitment to professional development, leadership growth and continuous learning, including supporting talented individuals stepping up into their first major programme leadership role.

A collaborative, ambitious and supportive culture.

An organisation committed to inclusion, diversity and wellbeing, where everyone feels valued, respected and able to thrive.

Modern office facilities at Southampton Science Park in Chilworth, one of the UK’s leading centres for science, technology and innovation.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Wessex Health Partners bring together 15 NHS and University partners and Health Innovation Wessex with stakeholders including local authorities, industry and national funders to accelerate research, innovation and transformation across Wessex and wider society. As Programme Manager, you will lead one or more Wessex Health Partners driver initiatives, establishing programme structures, coordinating stakeholders, securing funding and supporting the spread and adoption of innovation across the region.

In this role, your key responsibilities will include -

• Lead and manage WHP programmes and projects to deliver the WHP annual and five‑year plan.
• Develop and manage project plans, monitoring progress and ensuring delivery within agreed timeframes.
• Coordinate multi‑agency stakeholders and support co‑design with clinicians, academics, industry and service users.
• Prepare project reports, evaluation outputs and promotional materials for a range of platforms.
• Support funding applications and income generation opportunities.
• Manage delegated budgets and ensure compliance with WHP financial processes.
• Contribute to WHP strategy, policy development and the design of the Wessex research and innovation pathway.
• Build strong relationships across NHS, academia, industry and national bodies, representing WHP regionally and nationally
• Evaluate the impact of initiatives on patient outcomes, workforce, efficiency and system transformation.
• Uphold WHP values, modelling collaborative, agile and high‑quality delivery.

Join Us

This is an exceptional opportunity for a skilled Programme Manager, or someone ready to take the next step into programme leadership, who wants to make a lasting difference to health outcomes, healthcare transformation and economic growth.

If you are passionate about research and innovation, inspired by the future of the NHS and excited by the opportunity to shape the next chapter of Wessex Health Partners, we would love to hear from you.

Together, we can accelerate innovation, improve lives and create a healthier future for Wessex and beyond.

Person specification

Qualifications / Training Required

Essential criteria

• Professionally qualified or a relevant degree, plus project management experience or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline
• A Master’s degree level or equivalent postgraduate qualification in relevant discipline or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline
• Knowledge of the specialist work practices and/ or professional guidelines relevant to the Wessex Health Partners
• Knowledge and experience of the NHS and local health and social service functions

Desirable criteria

• Project Management training (e.g. PRINCE II)
• Management experience

Previous or relevant experience necessary

Essential criteria

• Programme and Project management experience in an NHS or care service setting or equivalent experience in a relevant setting
• Experience of integrated working across professional boundaries and involving several organisations
• Experience of organising/ managing events

Desirable criteria

• Effective leadership and team building skills
• Experience of quality improvement projects and/or methodology
• Experience in evaluating projects

Values and behaviours

Essential criteria

• Able to demonstrate behaviours that meet Wessex Health Partners values and behaviours