Job Description

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILL ONLY ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FROM STAFF CURRENTLY EMPLOYED BY NHS WALES.
This post is a Fixed Term Secondment for 12 months due to the needs of the service.
We are looking for a talented and experienced Service Improvement Manager 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 to enhance our national programmes.
The post holder will be responsible for improving quality and people's experience of the NHS by leading special programmes, working with a number of stakeholders including Welsh Government and NHS organisations in Wales.
This role is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and motivated individual to join a committed and highly driven team which is central to our ambitious plans to transform service delivery and performance in NHS Wales.
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.
These roles are initially on a fixed term secondment basis of 12 months and will require travel across Wales.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be responsible for improving quality and people's experience of the NHS by leading special programmes, working with a number of stakeholders including Welsh Government and NHS organisations in Wales. In doing so the post holder will be required to:
o Develop plans to deliver special programmes of work to improve services across Wales;
o Deliver analytical assessments of organisations performance drawn from multiple sources and assess impact on performance of plans.
o Undertake interventions and assurance reviews to improve performance within Health Boards providing clear objective conclusions and diagnostic recommendations based on the evidence and best practice, relating to special programmes.
o Support organisations in developing realistic action plans to areas of address performance concern.
o Monitor and performance manage Health Boards' delivery against action plans and the expected outcomes/improvements.
o Contribute to the successful achievement of the NHS Executive Mandate, through:
- Having a focus in their work on quality and safety;
- Positively contributing to system leadership;
- Facilitating simplification and streamlining of governance and accountability processes;
- Being an enabler of change;
- Having oversight and assurance of performance in the area of their role.
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
05 December 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8c
Salary
78,120 to 90,013 a year per annum
Contract
Secondment
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
028-AC300-1225
Job locations
2nd Floor Unit 1
Old Field Road
Pencoed
CF35 5LJ
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able find a full job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click "Apply Now"
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 secondment position, you must obtain permission from your current line manager prior to applying for this post. Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able find a full job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click "Apply Now"
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 secondment position, you must obtain permission from your current line manager prior to applying for this post.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Educated to Master's degree level or relevant experience/knowledge
• Formal qualification in quality and performance management or significant experience in managing performance issues in health care.

Knowledge
Essential

• Professional knowledge over a range of disciplines which will ensure the effective delivery of the performance Programme across Wales e.g., Quality, and patient safety, Provider Contracts, Planning, Research, HR, Finance, Clinical Delivery and Governance underpinned by specialist courses or equivalent experience. This level of knowledge would have been obtained over a significant period of senior management posts held within an NHS or equivalent organisation.
• Good understanding of NHS policy
• Good understanding of Performance Management principles and application

Desirable

• Good understanding of the principles and application of Programme Management

Skills
Essential

• Good interpersonal, facilitation and communication skills
• Evidence of ability to problem solve effectively and produce creative and practical solutions
• Presentation and interpretative skills both in written and numerical form
• Ability to navigate and adapt effectively in a range of demanding situations.

Desirable

• Advanced IT skills

Responsibilities
Essential

• Always demonstrate professional standards
• Collaborative working
• Evidence of continuous professional development

Freedom to Act
Essential

• Act on own initiative
• Experience of working across organisations

Personal Attributes
Essential

• Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Educated to Master's degree level or relevant experience/knowledge
• Formal qualification in quality and performance management or significant experience in managing performance issues in health care.

Knowledge
Essential

• Professional knowledge over a range of disciplines which will ensure the effective delivery of the performance Programme across Wales e.g., Quality, and patient safety, Provider Contracts, Planning, Research, HR, Finance, Clinical Delivery and Governance underpinned by specialist courses or equivalent experience. This level of knowledge would have been obtained over a significant period of senior management posts held within an NHS or equivalent organisation.
• Good understanding of NHS policy
• Good understanding of Performance Management principles and application

Desirable

• Good understanding of the principles and application of Programme Management

Skills
Essential

• Good interpersonal, facilitation and communication skills
• Evidence of ability to problem solve effectively and produce creative and practical solutions
• Presentation and interpretative skills both in written and numerical form
• Ability to navigate and adapt effectively in a range of demanding situations.

Desirable

• Advanced IT skills

Responsibilities
Essential

• Always demonstrate professional standards
• Collaborative working
• Evidence of continuous professional development

Freedom to Act
Essential

• Act on own initiative
• Experience of working across organisations

Personal Attributes
Essential

• Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner

Skills Required