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Programme Manager – People & Change

NHS England | Band 8b | 6-month contract

Location: Predominantly remote, with one day per week on-site in Central London
Rate: £30-£35 per via umbrella company

Start date: ASAP (willing to wait for a 2 week notice period maximum)

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Programme Manager – People & Change to lead the People & Change, EDI and Culture workstreams within NHS England’s Transforming People Services (TPS) programme across London.

This major NHS transformation programme aims to modernise People Services through streamlined processes, digital innovation and improved workforce support. The focus is on creating a more efficient, inclusive and effective employee experience across NHS organisations.

Working within the Programme Delivery team, you will lead the planning and delivery of complex change initiatives, ensuring strategic objectives translate into measurable outcomes. You will play a key role in driving organisational change, developing communication and engagement strategies, and supporting the successful adoption of new systems and processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and delivery of the People & Change, EDI and Culture workstreams, ensuring milestones, objectives and benefits are achieved.
• Develop and implement change management strategies, including communications, training and career development pathways.
• Drive engagement and adoption of new systems, processes and ways of working across NHS People Services.
• Develop clear, engaging communications for diverse audiences, explaining the impact of transformation and supporting colleagues through change.
• Embed co-design approaches, working collaboratively with people professionals and stakeholders to shape effective solutions.
• Manage programme governance, risks, issues, dependencies, reporting and performance.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, programme teams and delivery partners to overcome barriers and maintain delivery momentum.
• Monitor programme outcomes and benefits, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.

Essential Experience and Skills

• Proven experience delivering complex programmes or large-scale transformation initiatives within the NHS, healthcare or public sector.
• Strong expertise in change management, organisational transformation and workforce change.
• Experience developing and delivering change communications, engagement strategies and adoption plans for multiple audiences.
• Hands-on experience supporting teams through the implementation of new systems, processes and ways of working.
• A track record of using co-design and stakeholder engagement to develop and embed sustainable change.
• Strong programme management capabilities, including governance, risk management, reporting and benefits realisation.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with experience engaging senior leaders and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to deliver at pace in complex environments.

Relevant postgraduate qualifications or equivalent senior-level experience are expected. Programme management qualifications such as MSP Practitioner, APM or P3O are advantageous.

If you are interested in this role and have the above essential experience and skills, please ensure it is clearly deailed in your CV in bullet point form and send to [email protected]