NHS Blood and Transplant
Programme Manager
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Job Summary
The successful applicant will be joining a diverse and highly skilled team of programme & project management professionals within Digital Data & Technology Services (DDTS), working in a busy, rewarding and challenging environment.
You will lead either large complex projects or a smaller programme. DDTS manages a wide portfolio of complex and often high-risk projects and programmes. This role plays a critical part in managing inputs and building strong relationships across the business throughout the full lifecycle.
You will be joining the organisation at a time of challenge but also great excitement, you’ll help shape decisions and implement changes which will further improve the life-saving services we provide.
Using your programme and project management expertise, you will play a key role in driving change and delivery whilst being a part of a proactive and collaborative team making a real impact.
Working within the DDTS directorate, you will engage with a wide range of stakeholders, using your skills to drive performance, support transformation, and deliver real impact.
Main duties of the job
As a Programme Manager, the post holder will lead the delivery of complex, high-value projects and programmes that align with NHSBT’s strategic objectives, ensuring the successful delivery of outcomes and benefits within defined time, cost, and quality parameters.
The Post Holder Will
- Lead the detailed scoping, definition, and planning of complex specialist projects and programmes, translating strategic objectives into clear, actionable plans that address organisational priorities.
- Be accountable for the full programme/project lifecycle, complying with NHSBT standards and P3M methodology, by leading on design, planning, and implementation to ensure programmes (or specialist project) are delivered on time, within budget, and to quality constraints.
- Effectively manage and optimise all allocated resources (financial, human, and technical) to ensure the successful delivery of programme outcomes and strategic objectives.
- Responsible for the day-to-day management of the programme delivery, including leading associated projects. This includes planning, budgeting, enable timely decisions, management of dependencies, issues risks and business readiness, lessons learned, oversees communication and engagement on the programme.
- Provide structure, progress visibility and focus over delivery and support with high levels of uncertainty.
- Drive the identification, tracking, and realisation of benefits associated with programme initiatives and/or specialist projects, ensuring measurable value and strategic impact are delivered to NHSB, donors and/or patients.
- Provide effective leadership and guidance to diverse, multi-disciplinary delivery managers and their teams within a matrix management structure, fostering collaboration, high performance, capability development and innovation, including direct line management responsibilities when specified.
- Oversee the end-to-end delivery of assigned complex specialist projects and programmes, navigating intricate challenges and ensuring adherence to key milestones, budgets, and quality standards.
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You will be required to travel and spend time away from base, which can involve working irregular hours and overnight stays when required, with prior notice.
About You
Experience and Knowledge
- Significant experience leading complex change programmes and specialist projects with demonstrable benefits delivered.
- Extensive experience as a Programme Manager, with a proven track record of overseeing the end-to-end delivery of complex specialist programmes.
- Experience of developing business cases using the Five Case Model and navigating public-sector approvals.
- Proven track record in risk and issue management, governance, and assurance processes.
- Experience of stakeholder engagement and communications planning at senior levels.
- Experience of line management, including performance management and staff development.
- Experience of managing budgets and procurement processes in a public-sector context.
- Experience of benefits realisation and change management in complex environments.
Qualifications And Training
- Master’s degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent senior-level experience.
- Programme Management qualification, e.g., MSP Practitioner or MSP advanced practitioner or with equivalent experience
- Project Management qualification, e.g. APM Registered Project Professional, or Major Projects Leadership Academy, PRINCE 2.
- Risk Management qualification (e.g., MoR) or equivalent experience.
- Better Business Cases (Five Case Model) training or equivalent.
About Us
It takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHS Blood and Transplant, you’ll 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.
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What We Offer
- Hybrid working arrangements – As NHSBT operates nationally, this role is classified as a hybrid position. You will undertake the majority of your duties from home and be assigned to the NHSBT centre closest to your home address. This approach provides greater flexibility to help balance work and personal commitments. Due to the travel requirements of the role, you will also be expected to work from other NHSBT locations as required, with prior notice.
- 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 6th September 2026.
Interviews are anticipated to be held on 18th September 2026 – subject to confirmation.
For informal enquiries please contact –
Name: Daniel Madzikanda
Job Title: Lead Recruiter
Contact Details: daniel.madzikanda@nhsbt.nhs.uk
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