Head of Programme Management Office
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East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust Head of Programme Management Office
The closing date is 12 November 2026
Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to lead a high-profile function at the heart of the Trust's financial sustainability and transformation agenda. Reporting to the Director of Financial Sustainability, the Head of PMO will provide strategic leadership across the Trust's Cost Improvement Programme (CIP), wider financial improvement portfolio and PMO function, ensuring robust governance, assurance and delivery of major improvement initiatives.
Working closely with Executive Sponsors, Care Group leadership teams, clinicians and Corporate services, and our Subsidiaries, the postholder will play a key role in shaping and delivering the Trust's approach to financial improvement, productivity and transformation. The role offers the opportunity to influence organisational strategy, lead complex cross-cutting programmes and further develop the Trust's PMO capability.
Main duties of the job
As an experienced delivery leader, you will provide leadership in programme management and ensure best practice assurance standards are applied to successfully deliver both cost and wider improvement initiatives. Further you will act as a central point for problem solving key issues across the organisation that are blocking delivery through the use of structured methods and your own personal influence.
Such methods include establishing and maintaining robust programme management processes (including reporting), supporting key governance forums, facilitating the resolution of strategic issues and interdependencies and providing flexible targeted support to facilitate delivery. The Team is expected to challenge, review and support Managers and Clinicians and be able to influence senior colleagues within the organisation.
Sound financial literacy is an important part of the role and the Head of PMO will be expected to make a positive contribution to the analysis, development and delivery of financial sustainability plans. You will develop close and effective ways of working with other Finance Teams, confidently reflect cost improvement performance in senior governance forums and support the Trust to create a pipeline of realistic and impactful future efficiency opportunities.
About us
We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference'. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.
Details
Date posted
29 October 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8d
Salary
£94,356 to £108,814 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number
344-4618COR
Job locations
Kent and Canterbury Hospital
Ethelbert Road
Canterbury
CT1 3NG
United Kingdom
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities Strategic PMO and Portfolio Leadership
- Lead, develop and oversee the Trust's PMO function, ensuring delivery of a high-quality programme, project and portfolio management service.
- Establish and maintain an effective PMO operating model that supports organisational priorities, strategic objectives and financial sustainability.
- Develop and maintain programme, project and portfolio management standards, policies, methodologies and assurance frameworks across the organisation and ensure consistent application.
- Lead the development and implementation of robust governance, assurance and performance monitoring frameworks across the programme portfolio.
- Provide independent assurance regarding programme delivery confidence, risks, issues, dependencies, benefits and overall portfolio performance.
- Ensure accurate and timely reporting to Care Groups, Executive Sponsors, Financial Recovery Board, Sub-Committees and other governance forums.
- Provide assurance regarding the effectiveness and deliverability of the Trust's Cost Improvement Programme and associated improvement initiatives, recommending escalation, intervention or corrective action where delivery is at risk.
- Ensure risks are identified, monitored and managed appropriately, supporting organisational decision-making.
- Lead the implementation of a comprehensive benefits realisation framework, ensuring systematic tracking, validation and reporting of benefits.
- Work closely with Finance colleagues to ensure financial benefits are demonstrable, sustainable and reflected within agreed financial reports.
- Support delivery of the Trust's financial recovery, productivity and sustainability objectives through robust programme governance, performance management and benefits realisation.
- Provide assurance that programmes deliver improvements without compromising quality, safety, workforce wellbeing or patient outcomes.
- Lead, motivate and develop the PMO team, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and professional excellence.
- Hold responsibility for PMO workforce planning, resource management and budget oversight.
- Develop organisational capability in programme and project management through implementation of standards, guidance, training and coaching.
- Promote best practice, innovation and learning across the organisation through effective knowledge management and lessons-learned processes.
- Ensure PMO systems, tools and reporting mechanisms remain fit for purpose and support effective portfolio management.
- Lead the development of communication and engagement approaches that promote visibility, understanding and ownership of programme delivery, benefits realisation and improvement outcomes
- Act as a trusted adviser to senior leaders on programme governance, delivery and portfolio management matters.
- Influence, negotiate and challenge constructively to improve programme performance and accountability.
- Represent the PMO function at Trust, system, Regional and national forums as required.
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities Strategic PMO and Portfolio Leadership
- Lead, develop and oversee the Trust's PMO function, ensuring delivery of a high-quality programme, project and portfolio management service.
- Establish and maintain an effective PMO operating model that supports organisational priorities, strategic objectives and financial sustainability.
- Develop and maintain programme, project and portfolio management standards, policies, methodologies and assurance frameworks across the organisation and ensure consistent application.
- Lead the development and implementation of robust governance, assurance and performance monitoring frameworks across the programme portfolio.
- Provide independent assurance regarding programme delivery confidence, risks, issues, dependencies, benefits and overall portfolio performance.
- Ensure accurate and timely reporting to Care Groups, Executive Sponsors, Financial Recovery Board, Sub-Committees and other governance forums.
- Provide assurance regarding the effectiveness and deliverability of the Trust's Cost Improvement Programme and associated improvement initiatives, recommending escalation, intervention or corrective action where delivery is at risk.
- Ensure risks are identified, monitored and managed appropriately, supporting organisational decision-making.
- Lead the implementation of a comprehensive benefits realisation framework, ensuring systematic tracking, validation and reporting of benefits.
- Work closely with Finance colleagues to ensure financial benefits are demonstrable, sustainable and reflected within agreed financial reports.
- Support delivery of the Trust's financial recovery, productivity and sustainability objectives through robust programme governance, performance management and benefits realisation.
- Provide assurance that programmes deliver improvements without compromising quality, safety, workforce wellbeing or patient outcomes.
- Lead, motivate and develop the PMO team, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and professional excellence.
- Hold responsibility for PMO workforce planning, resource management and budget oversight.
- Develop organisational capability in programme and project management through implementation of standards, guidance, training and coaching.
- Promote best practice, innovation and learning across the organisation through effective knowledge management and lessons-learned processes.
- Ensure PMO systems, tools and reporting mechanisms remain fit for purpose and support effective portfolio management.
- Lead the development of communication and engagement approaches that promote visibility, understanding and ownership of programme delivery, benefits realisation and improvement outcomes
- Act as a trusted adviser to senior leaders on programme governance, delivery and portfolio management matters.
- Influence, negotiate and challenge constructively to improve programme performance and accountability.
- Represent the PMO function at Trust, system, Regional and national forums as required.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Master's degree level or able to demonstrate an equivalent level of knowledge and expertise acquired through senior leadership experience in programme and portfolio management, transformation, financial improvement, business change or a related discipline
- Recognised programme, portfolio, change or improvement management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, MSP, MoP, APM, Lean, Six Sigma) or demonstrable equivalent professional expertise
- Evidence of continuing professional and leadership development.
Desirable
- Membership of an appropriate professional body relating to programme, portfolio or project management, organisational change, improvement or leadership (e.g. APM, PMI, CMI or equivalent).
Skills and Experience
Essential
- Extensive senior leadership experience within a large and complex organisation, with responsibility for financial improvement, transformation, programme management or portfolio leadership.
- Strong financial and commercial acumen, including experience of financial improvement, benefits realisation and the assessment of programme viability and sustainability.
- Experience of establishing and leading a PMO or comparable portfolio function, including the development of operating models, governance frameworks, assurance arrangements and reporting standards.
- Significant experience of providing independent assurance, constructive challenge and expert advice to Managing Directors, Executive Sponsors, and senior governance forums.
- Demonstrable ability to interpret complex financial, operational and performance information and provide evidence-based recommendations to senior decision-makers
- Highly developed communication, influencing and presentation skills, including experience of preparing complex information for Executive Sponsors and Board-level audiences.
Desirable
- Experience of financial recovery, cost improvement and productivity programmes.
- Experience within an NHS, healthcare or similarly complex regulated environment.
Personal and Professional Attributes
Essential
- Collaborative and inclusive, with the ability to build trusted relationships across clinical, operational and Corporate teams.
- Demonstrates independence of thought and the confidence to provide constructive challenge at senior level.
- Credible and visible senior leader who creates clarity, accountability and a culture of high performance.
- Resilient, adaptable and able to maintain focus in a demanding environment with competing priorities and organisational uncertainty.
Other Requirements
Essential
- Ability to work flexibly in response to organisational priorities and service requirements.
- Ability and willingness to travel between Trust sites and attend external meetings as required.
- Commitment to continuing professional development and mandatory training.
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Master's degree level or able to demonstrate an equivalent level of knowledge and expertise acquired through senior leadership experience in programme and portfolio management, transformation, financial improvement, business change or a related discipline
- Recognised programme, portfolio, change or improvement management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, MSP, MoP, APM, Lean, Six Sigma) or demonstrable equivalent professional expertise
- Evidence of continuing professional and leadership development.
Desirable
- Membership of an appropriate professional body relating to programme, portfolio or project management, organisational change, improvement or leadership (e.g. APM, PMI, CMI or equivalent).
Skills and Experience
Essential
- Extensive senior leadership experience within a large and complex organisation, with responsibility for financial improvement, transformation, programme management or portfolio leadership.
- Strong financial and commercial acumen, including experience of financial improvement, benefits realisation and the assessment of programme viability and sustainability.
- Experience of establishing and leading a PMO or comparable portfolio function, including the development of operating models, governance frameworks, assurance arrangements and reporting standards.
- Significant experience of providing independent assurance, constructive challenge and expert advice to Managing Directors, Executive Sponsors, and senior governance forums.
- Demonstrable ability to interpret complex financial, operational and performance information and provide evidence-based recommendations to senior decision-makers
- Highly developed communication, influencing and presentation skills, including experience of preparing complex information for Executive Sponsors and Board-level audiences.
Desirable
- Experience of financial recovery, cost improvement and productivity programmes.
- Experience within an NHS, healthcare or similarly complex regulated environment.
Personal and Professional Attributes
Essential
- Collaborative and inclusive, with the ability to build trusted relationships across clinical, operational and Corporate teams.
- Demonstrates independence of thought and the confidence to provide constructive challenge at senior level.
- Credible and visible senior leader who creates clarity, accountability and a culture of high performance.
- Resilient, adaptable and able to maintain focus in a demanding environment with competing priorities and organisational uncertainty.
Other Requirements
Essential
- Ability to work flexibly in response to organisational priorities and service requirements.
- Ability and willingness to travel between Trust sites and attend external meetings as required.
- Commitment to continuing professional development and mandatory training.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications 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 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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications 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 details
Employer name
East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Kent and Canterbury Hospital
Ethelbert Road
Canterbury
CT1 3NG
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Kent and Canterbury Hospital
Ethelbert Road
Canterbury
CT1 3NG
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Director of Financial Sustainability
Lorna Gibson
Details
Date posted
29 October 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8d
Salary
£94,356 to £108,814 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number
344-4618COR
Job locations
Kent and Canterbury Hospital
Ethelbert Road
Canterbury
CT1 3NG
United Kingdom
Supporting documents
Privacy notice
East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)
Support links
© Crown copyright
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