Programme Manager – Start Well

Job summaryThe Programme Manager will play a key role in delivering the Start Well Programme, a major transformation programme across North Central London aimed at improving maternity, neonatal and paediatric services. Working across multiple organisations, the postholder will lead the planning, coordination and delivery of complex programme workstreams, ensuring successful implementation through effective programme management, stakeholder engagement and governance. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to large-scale service transformation and improve outcomes for women, babies, children and families across the region.Main duties of the jobLead the planning, coordination and delivery of designated workstreams within the Start Well Programme, ensuring delivery of agreed objectives, milestones and outcomes.Develop and maintain project plans, monitoring progress and managing risks, issues, dependencies and benefits to support successful programme delivery.Coordinate programme governance, including preparing reports, papers and updates for programme boards and stakeholder groups.Build and maintain effective relationships with clinical, operational and system partners, facilitating collaboration and resolving issues where required.Analyse complex information and performance data to support decision-making and provide recommendations to the Programme Director and senior stakeholders.Coordinate meetings, workshops and stakeholder engagement activities, ensuring actions are tracked and delivered.Support the Programme Director with financial monitoring, resource planning, procurement and programme reporting.Maintain accurate programme documentation and ensure compliance with governance, information governance and organisational policies.Contribute to the implementation of service transformation, ensuring delivery is aligned with programme objectives, quality standards and best practice.About usWhittington Health NHS Trust is committed to helping local people live longer, healthier lives by providing safe, personal and coordinated care. As an integrated care organisation, we provide both hospital and community services to a diverse population across Islington, Haringey and neighbouring London boroughs.The Start Well programme represents a significant transformation of maternity, neonatal and paediatric surgical services across North Central London. Following approval of the Decision-Making Business Case, the programme is now in its implementation phase and will deliver changes that ensure every child has the best possible start in life. Whittington Health is proud to host the Start Well programme team.DetailsDate posted16 September 2026Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 8aSalary
66,274 to 73,496 a year
per annum inclusive of HCAs
ContractPermanentWorking pattern

Full-time

Reference number220-WHT-4085-CJob locationsWhittington Health NHS TrustMagdala Avenue, LondonN19 5NFUnited KingdomJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesThe Programme Manager will support the delivery of the Start Well Programme, a major transformation programme across North Central London to improve maternity, neonatal and paediatric services.The postholder will lead the planning, coordination and delivery of designated programme workstreams, ensuring objectives are achieved within agreed timescales, scope and quality standards. They will work collaboratively with clinical, operational and system partners to manage programme plans, governance, risks, issues, dependencies and stakeholder engagement, ensuring effective programme delivery.The role requires excellent programme and project management skills, with the ability to analyse complex information, manage competing priorities and influence a wide range of stakeholders. The postholder will contribute to service transformation by supporting governance, monitoring performance, managing programme documentation, facilitating meetings and workshops, and providing high-quality reports and advice to senior leaders and programme boards.The Programme Manager will also support the Programme Director in financial monitoring, procurement, resource planning and benefits realisation, ensuring compliance with organisational policies, governance requirements and information governance standards.Main responsibilitiesLead the planning, coordination and delivery of designated programme workstreams to achieve agreed objectives and milestones.Develop and maintain programme plans, monitoring progress and managing risks, issues, dependencies and benefits.Coordinate programme governance, including preparing reports, papers and updates for programme boards and senior stakeholders.Build and maintain effective relationships with clinical, operational and external stakeholders to support collaborative working across organisations.Analyse complex information and performance data to inform decision-making and provide recommendations to senior leaders.Facilitate meetings, workshops and stakeholder engagement activities, ensuring actions are tracked and delivered.Support the Programme Director with budget monitoring, procurement, resource planning and financial reporting.Maintain accurate programme documentation and ensure compliance with governance, information governance and organisational policies.Contribute to the successful implementation of service transformation, ensuring delivery is aligned with programme objectives, quality standards and best practice.
Job description
Job responsibilitiesThe Programme Manager will support the delivery of the Start Well Programme, a major transformation programme across North Central London to improve maternity, neonatal and paediatric services.The postholder will lead the planning, coordination and delivery of designated programme workstreams, ensuring objectives are achieved within agreed timescales, scope and quality standards. They will work collaboratively with clinical, operational and system partners to manage programme plans, governance, risks, issues, dependencies and stakeholder engagement, ensuring effective programme delivery.The role requires excellent programme and project management skills, with the ability to analyse complex information, manage competing priorities and influence a wide range of stakeholders. The postholder will contribute to service transformation by supporting governance, monitoring performance, managing programme documentation, facilitating meetings and workshops, and providing high-quality reports and advice to senior leaders and programme boards.The Programme Manager will also support the Programme Director in financial monitoring, procurement, resource planning and benefits realisation, ensuring compliance with organisational policies, governance requirements and information governance standards.Main responsibilitiesLead the planning, coordination and delivery of designated programme workstreams to achieve agreed objectives and milestones.Develop and maintain programme plans, monitoring progress and managing risks, issues, dependencies and benefits.Coordinate programme governance, including preparing reports, papers and updates for programme boards and senior stakeholders.Build and maintain effective relationships with clinical, operational and external stakeholders to support collaborative working across organisations.Analyse complex information and performance data to inform decision-making and provide recommendations to senior leaders.Facilitate meetings, workshops and stakeholder engagement activities, ensuring actions are tracked and delivered.Support the Programme Director with budget monitoring, procurement, resource planning and financial reporting.Maintain accurate programme documentation and ensure compliance with governance, information governance and organisational policies.Contribute to the successful implementation of service transformation, ensuring delivery is aligned with programme objectives, quality standards and best practice.Person Specification
Knowledge & Qualifications
EssentialEducated to degree level or equivalent experienceProject or programme management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, MSP) or equivalent experienceEvidence of continued professional development (CPD)Understanding of NHS structures and service transformationKnowledge of programme and project management approaches
Work Experience
EssentialExperience of managing complex projects or workstreams in a multi-stakeholder environmentRisk, issue and dependency management (RAID) and programme reportingPreparing reports, briefing papers and presentationsService redesign / transformation projects within healthcare or public sectorWorking collaboratively across organisations (e.g. Trusts, ICBs)DesirableExperience of supporting or managing staff or project teamsExperience of monitoring budgets and supporting value for money
Skills & Knowledge
EssentialAnalyse complex information and develop options and recommendationsPlanning and organisation across multiple workstreamsStakeholder engagement, including presenting complex or sensitive informationAbility to influence and negotiate with stakeholdersAbility to work independently and manage competingProficiency in Microsoft Office and project management toolsUnderstanding of governance processes
Values & Behaviours
EssentialDemonstrates ICARE values; collaborative and inclusive workingBuilds effective working relationshipsAdaptable and resilient in a changing environmentProfessional and credible approachDesirableAwareness of organisational sensitivities
Effort Factors
EssentialConcentration required across multiple priorities and deadlinesManaging challenging situations and resistance to change
Other Requirements
EssentialCommitment to professional developmentAbility to travel across NCL sites
Person Specification

Knowledge & Qualifications
EssentialEducated to degree level or equivalent experienceProject or programme management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, MSP) or equivalent experienceEvidence of continued professional development (CPD)Understanding of NHS structures and service transformationKnowledge of programme and project management approaches
Work Experience
EssentialExperience of managing complex projects or workstreams in a multi-stakeholder environmentRisk, issue and dependency management (RAID) and programme reportingPreparing reports, briefing papers and presentationsService redesign / transformation projects within healthcare or public sectorWorking collaboratively across organisations (e.g. Trusts, ICBs)DesirableExperience of supporting or managing staff or project teamsExperience of monitoring budgets and supporting value for money
Skills & Knowledge
EssentialAnalyse complex information and develop options and recommendationsPlanning and organisation across multiple workstreamsStakeholder engagement, including presenting complex or sensitive informationAbility to influence and negotiate with stakeholdersAbility to work independently and manage competingProficiency in Microsoft Office and project management toolsUnderstanding of governance processes
Values & Behaviours
EssentialDemonstrates ICARE values; collaborative and inclusive workingBuilds effective working relationshipsAdaptable and resilient in a changing environmentProfessional and credible approachDesirableAwareness of organisational sensitivities
Effort Factors
EssentialConcentration required across multiple priorities and deadlinesManaging challenging situations and resistance to change
Other Requirements
EssentialCommitment to professional developmentAbility to travel across NCL sitesDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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 CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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 detailsEmployer nameWhittington Hospital NHS TrustAddressWhittington Health NHS TrustMagdala Avenue, LondonN19 5NFUnited KingdomEmployer's websiteEmployer detailsEmployer nameWhittington Hospital NHS TrustAddressWhittington Health NHS TrustMagdala Avenue, LondonN19 5NFUnited KingdomEmployer's website