Senior Programme Manager
Job summary
This vacancy is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship. Please do not apply unless you have another means of establishing your right to work in the UK, or you are already employed by the NHS and would transfer at the top of Band 8b.
At NHS Blood & Transplant (NHSBT), we work with donors and patients to save and improve lives every day. We are seeking an experienced Senior Programme Manager to lead the delivery of complex, high-value digital projects and programmes that support NHSBT's strategic objectives and deliver measurable benefits within agreed time, cost, and quality parameters.
Working closely with Senior Responsible Owners (SROs), Project Executives, Product Managers, Architects and internal and external delivery partners, you will lead projects through the full lifecycle, from planning and business case development through to delivery, implementation and benefits realisation.
The successful candidate will have proven track record of managing large-scale digital projects or programmes, ideally within healthcare or another complex environment. You will be a strong leader with excellent stakeholder management skills, experience of governance and risk management, and the ability to deliver successful outcomes in challenging and evolving environments.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a supportive, high-performing team and lead digital initiatives that make a real difference to organ donation and transplantation services, helping NHSBT continue its life-saving work.
Main duties of the job
As a Senior Programme Manager, you will lead the delivery of complex, high-value programmes that drive transformational change and support NHSBT's strategic objectives. The post holder will:
- Lead the scoping, definition and planning of complex programmes, ensuring alignment with NHSBT's strategic priorities.
- Oversee end-to-end programme delivery, ensuring objectives are achieved on time, within budget and to the required quality standards.
- Manage programme resources effectively and proactively identify, monitor and mitigate risks, issues and dependencies.
- Establish and implement robust benefits realisation processes to ensure programmes deliver measurable value and long-term organisational impact.
- Provide leadership to multi-disciplinary teams within a complex matrix environment, fostering collaboration, innovation and high performance.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with senior stakeholders, influencing decision-making and securing commitment to programme objectives.
- Where appropriate, undertake line management responsibilities, supporting staff performance, development and organisational capability.
- Contribute to NHSBT's strategic development and promote a culture of continuous improvement, inclusion and excellence.
About us
It takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHS Blood and Transplant, youll join a team of more than 6,000 people who are making a genuine difference to communities, families, friends, relatives and more across the UK. We play a unique and special role in the NHS by helping people do something extraordinary- donate blood, blood products, organs, tissues, or stem cells to save someone in need.
Our three core values are what set us apart. They guide and inspire everything we do. By being caring, expertly meeting the needs of our patients and our people, and accepting nothing less than the best quality, we can do extraordinary work and help our people to do something extraordinary in their career, too. Three small words, one big difference - Caring, Expert and Quality. Together we'll save and improve more lives than ever.
You will join us on our journey to create an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with, and we positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.
Job description
Job responsibilities
What we offer:
- Hybrid working arrangements – because NHSBT works nationally, we’re able to offer hybrid working options that give you more flexibility to balance work with life.
- Flexible working options – we promote flexible working where the role allows. We’re happy to discuss what flexibility might look like for you.
- Generous annual leave - 27 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time) plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years’ service and to 33 days after 10 years.
- Inclusive pension scheme - the NHS Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme (not dependent on investment returns). Further details and outline of benefits can be found at: http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/information-about-nhs-pensions
- Supportive learning culture - we’ve fostered a culture of continuous learning where colleagues are well-led, engaged, and encouraged to grow. We support you in reaching your full potential, both in your current role and future career. Our Thrive program embodies our commitment to learning and development, offering a wide range of activities to support your personal and professional growth. It’s open to everyone at NHSBT, ensuring you have the resources to succeed and shine in your role.
- Health and wellbeing support – we offer confidential services including occupational health, employee assistance programme, and wellbeing resources. Our support is available to all colleagues and we endeavour to provide tailored workplace adjustments where possible.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we welcome applications from disabled candidates. We will talk with you to explore any adjustments that may help you during the recruitment process.
You can find more information about accessibility, our culture, and how we support applicants on the NHSBT Careers website.
To learn more, please see the job description and person specification. These can be accessed via the link below, or by clicking ‘Apply’ if you are viewing this advert on another site.
Next steps
This vacancy will close at 23:59 on Sunday 30 August 2026.
The assessment process for this role will include: multiple interview rounds, the first being a video presentation, if you are successfully shortlisted you will then be invited to a competency-based interview.
Interviews are anticipated to be held on 16th and 18th September 2026 – subject to confirmation.
For informal enquiries please contact –
Name: Daniel Madzikanda
Job Title: Recruiter
Contact Details: daniel.madzikanda@nhsbt.nhs.uk
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Masters degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent senior-level experience.
- Programme management qualifications such as MSP practitioner or advance practitioner or equivalent experience.
- One or more recognised project management qualifications APM Registered Project Professional, or Major Projects Leadership Academy, PRINCE 2 and Agile DSDM qualification.
- Training in Benefits Realisation and Better Business Cases (aligned to Green Book).
- Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to programme management.
Experience
- Extensive experience over a number of years of leading complex change transformational programmes with successful delivery of outcomes and benefits.
- Expertise in leading large diverse group through significant change with technique to reduce resistance and maximise adoption of change, including awareness of people change management theories.
- Proven track record in business case development using the HM Treasury Five Case Model.
- Experience of managing programme budgets, cost forecasts, and benefits realisation.
- Experience of stakeholder engagement internally and externally and with external supplier environments.
- Experience of applying lessons learned and continuous improvement in programme delivery to enhance capability.
- Deep specialist knowledge of programme management principles, methodologies (e.g., MSP), and best practices, applied in a large, complex organisation.
- Experience in driving the development and implementation of new services or policies within a programme context.
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.
Employer details
Employer name
NHS Blood and Transplant
Address
England
Capitol Way, Dodworth
England
South Yorkshire
S75 3FG
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/