Head of Patient Safety

Key responsibilities

As Head of Patient Safety, the post holder will support the Director of Programmes & QI to ensure all projects are managed effectively and be accountable on their successful delivery through:

• Providing leadership and programme oversight to the respective programme portfolio ensuring successful outcomes and delivery of projects
• Ensuring (and modelling) robust project management processes are in place for all projects including effective project governance, development and maintenance of project scopes and briefs; project initiation documents; milestones and key deliverables; risks and issues log etc
• Responsible for effective management and delivery of programme portfolio to the agreed budgets, ensuring compliance with organisational policies and procedures relating to financial management
• Providing support to the Director of Programmes & QI to establish effective resource utilisation processes across the organisations project delivery function
• Leading on communications and engagement activity relevant to the programmes, including liaison with national, regional and local stakeholders and system partners to raise awareness of and support delivery of projects
• Line management of assigned senior improvement leads, and clinical staff as agreed with the Director of Programmes & QI.

Corporate and personal responsibilities (including but not limited to)

• Promote and observe Health Innovation East’s equity, diversity and inclusion pledges in every aspect of your work.
• Support the organisation in creating an environment that values risk management
• Ensure that we only operate within our remit of not offering clinical advice
• Adhere to all company policies and procedures and any applicable legislation

Personal Specification

Qualifications and training

• Degree in relevant discipline or equivalent experience
• Qualification in quality improvement methodologies or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level.
• Evidence of continuous personal development including project and programme management

Knowledge and understanding

• Extensive knowledge of application of quality improvement technologies within healthcare settings.
• Highly developed knowledge and understanding of the NHS (politically, regionally and local)
• Awareness of strategic challenges facing the NHS and the wider health and care system (with a working knowledge of the Eastern region preferred).
• Evidence of having led programmes and projects at scale.
• Experience of line managing staff

Skills

• Excellent written communication skills; able to write clearly and concisely, including producing reports
• Ability to explain improvement approaches, and methodologies, particularly the difference between performance and improvement data
• Excellent oral communication, presentation and negotiating skills. Is confident presenting to large groups and can handle challenge from senior specialist professionals
• Ability to prioritise, work to, and set deadlines and function effectively under pressure with competing demands
• Strong track record of successful project and programme delivery
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
• Advanced skills in Word, PowerPoint, Project, and Excel
• High levels of emotional intelligence to inform working with a wide range of internal and external partners

Disposition/ Aptitude

• Ability to work on own initiative and organise workload, allocating work as necessary.
• Ability to work both autonomously and within a small team.
• Adaptability and flexibility to cope with uncertainty and change.
• Ability to travel within region, with occasional travel to national meetings (eg London, Birmingham, Manchester).

Appointment

Appointment will be subject to evidence of right to work in the UK and an enhanced DBS check, due to the potential for the postholder to be working in an environment with children and vulnerable adults.

Desirable Skills and Experience

Advanced data skills, particularly around measurement for improvement methodology and interpretation.

How to apply

To apply please submit your CV and a covering letter specifying your motivation for applying and how you meet our person specification, by 31st July 2026, to recruitment@healthinnovationeast.co.uk. Please note that CVs without covering letter will not be considered. If you require further information about the roles, please contact amanda.newstead@healthinnovationeast.co.uk.

Submission of an application constitutes your consent to reasonable media and public online presence checks during the hiring process.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Health Innovation East is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcome applications from all qualified candidates. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and will provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process where needed.

Use of AI

We recognise that candidates may use AI tools to help prepare applications. However, all application materials and assessment responses should accurately reflect your own skills, experience and knowledge. Any misrepresentation of authorship, experience or qualifications may result in an application being withdrawn from consideration.