Job Description

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILL ONLY ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FROMSTAFF CURRENTLY EMPLOYED BY NHS WALES.
Fixed Term Secondment for 12 months due to the needs of the service
We are looking for talented and experienced operational improvement managers with a track record of delivery in planned care, cancer services and urgent and emergency care to join NHS Wales Performance & Improvement.
You will have a record of delivering performance improvement, operational standards and improved access. This with your ability to work at all levels you will be able to influence clinical teams, drive system change, and performance improvement are the key skills we are looking for to enhance our national programmes.
The aim is to deploy managers to our seven regional health boards across Wales to implement a wide range of service delivery plans designed to improve patient services, access and quality of care.
Main duties of the job
These roles are an exciting opportunity for dynamic and motivated individuals to join a committed and highly driven team which is central to our ambitious plans to transform service delivery and performance in NHS Wales.
Working with Welsh Government, Local Health Boards operational and clinical teams to implement improved operational and clinical practice which have been developed in collaboration with our national clinical teams.
You will need experience in at least one of Planned Care, Cancer and Urgent and Emergency Care services, with a high level of technical expertise and track record of delivery.
We would welcome applications from colleagues with the dynamism and the necessary skills and operational experience to support the delivery of the immediate priorities and objectives across NHS Wales.
These roles are initially on a fixed term secondment basis of 12 months and will require travel across Wales.
About us
NHS Wales Performance and Improvement works in partnership for and on behalf of Welsh Government, in and with the NHS in Wales and is hosted by Public Health Wales.
Our key purpose is to drive improvements in the quality and safety of care - resulting in better and more equitable outcomes, access and patient experience, reduced variation, and improvements in population health.
We do this by providing strong leadership and strategic direction - enabling, supporting, and directing NHS Wales to transform clinical services in line with national priorities and standards.
To find out more about working for us and the benefits we offer please visit https://phw.nhs.wales/careers/
For guidance on the application process, please visithttps://phw.nhs.wales/working-for-us/applicant-information-and-guidance/
Details
Date posted
12 November 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8a
Salary
56,514 to 63,623 a year per annum
Contract
Secondment
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
028-AC277-1125
Job locations
NHS Performance and Improvement
2nd Floor, Unit 1 Old Field Road Bocam Park
Pencoed
CF35 5LJ
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click "Apply Now" to view on Trac
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
If you are interested in applying for the secondmentposition, you must obtain permission from your current linemanager prior to applying for this post. Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click "Apply Now" to view on Trac
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
If you are interested in applying for the secondmentposition, you must obtain permission from your current linemanager prior to applying for this post.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential

• Educated to Master's Degree level or equivalent qualification or level of experience working at a senior management level Strong understanding of NHS Wales policy, delivery frameworks, and clinical pathways.
• Evidence of continued professional development
• Project/programme management qualification or equivalent experience in leading programme/projects with demonstrable outcomes or equivalent qualification; or equivalent level of knowledge and skills

Desirable

• Formal qualification in programme or project management (eg PRINCE2, MSP)
• Experience in quality improvement science and assurance methodologies
• Coaching qualification, such as ILM

Experience
Essential

• Significant experience in operational performance delivery and management within healthcare to at least at a directorate level.
• Significant management experience in a senior role including staff management, ideally within the NHS or Social Care
• Experience in applying systems thinking approaches in practice within organisations or partnerships
• Experience of process/problem analysis, challenging existing thinking and generating improvements and solutions
• Experience of successfully leading and implementing project driven change management
• Experience of mentoring or coaching teams or individuals

Skills
Essential

• Ability to work closely with people in other disciplines and form professional working relationships, influencing, negotiation and resolving conflict with regards to change management
• Ability to communicate highly complex technical concepts and analysis effectively to different organisations and audiences; including formal presentations e.g. Board level.
• Ability to explain and work with concepts of measurement for improvement to a variety of audiences and to provide practical support for teams in developing measures for improvement
• Ability to organise, plan and prioritise a diverse range of complex strategic programmes to meet statutory and other deadlines typically involving other disciplines/organisations
• Ability to train multi-disciplinary groups including clinical staff through the delivery of multi-organisational training programmes.
• Can demonstrate initiative, creativity, flexibility and a personal ethos of continuous improvement
• Ability to focus, concentrate and accurately complete tasks within given timeframes whilst dealing with unscheduled interruptions e.g., changing priorities
• Ability to manage services across organisations
• Ability to translate strategy into action
• Demonstrable additional specialist knowledge and expertise e.g. advanced presentation and facilitation skills
• Knowledge of NHS quality improvement agenda and methodologies
• Understand the requirements of Information Governance in relation to the NHS
• Proficient in the use of standard Microsoft software, such as Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Ability to demonstrate understanding and application of our workplace values, together with the underpinning behaviours identified for success in this role

Desirable

• Welsh Language Skills are desirable at levels 1 to 5 in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing in Welsh

Other
Essential

• Standard DBS clearance
• Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner to meet the needs of the service

Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential

• Educated to Master's Degree level or equivalent qualification or level of experience working at a senior management level Strong understanding of NHS Wales policy, delivery frameworks, and clinical pathways.
• Evidence of continued professional development
• Project/programme management qualification or equivalent experience in leading programme/projects with demonstrable outcomes or equivalent qualification; or equivalent level of knowledge and skills

Desirable

• Formal qualification in programme or project management (eg PRINCE2, MSP)
• Experience in quality improvement science and assurance methodologies
• Coaching qualification, such as ILM

Experience
Essential

• Significant experience in operational performance delivery and management within healthcare to at least at a directorate level.
• Significant management experience in a senior role including staff management, ideally within the NHS or Social Care
• Experience in applying systems thinking approaches in practice within organisations or partnerships
• Experience of process/problem analysis, challenging existing thinking and generating improvements and solutions
• Experience of successfully leading and implementing project driven change management
• Experience of mentoring or coaching teams or individuals

Skills
Essential

• Ability to work closely with people in other disciplines and form professional working relationships, influencing, negotiation and resolving conflict with regards to change management
• Ability to communicate highly complex technical concepts and analysis effectively to different organisations and audiences; including formal presentations e.g. Board level.
• Ability to explain and work with concepts of measurement for improvement to a variety of audiences and to provide practical support for teams in developing measures for improvement
• Ability to organise, plan and prioritise a diverse range of complex strategic programmes to meet statutory and other deadlines typically involving other disciplines/organisations
• Ability to train multi-disciplinary groups including clinical staff through the delivery of multi-organisational training programmes.
• Can demonstrate initiative, creativity, flexibility and a personal ethos of continuous improvement
• Ability to focus, concentrate and accurately complete tasks within given timeframes whilst dealing with unscheduled interruptions e.g., changing priorities
• Ability to manage services across organisations
• Ability to translate strategy into action
• Demonstrable additional specialist knowledge and expertise e.g. advanced presentation and facilitation skills
• Knowledge of NHS quality improvement agenda and methodologies
• Understand the requirements of Information Governance in relation to the NHS
• Proficient in the use of standard Microsoft software, such as Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Ability to demonstrate understanding and application of our workplace values, together with the underpinning behaviours identified for success in this role

Desirable

• Welsh Language Skills are desirable at levels 1 to 5 in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing in Welsh

Other
Essential

• Standard DBS clearance
• Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner to meet the needs of the service

Skills Required