University Hospital Southampton NHS FT
Service Improvement Manager
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Service Improvement Manager
Service Improvement Manager for Estates, Facilities and Capital Development (12-Month Secondment) – UHS Estates Ltd (UEL)
Job Overview
We are delighted to offer an exciting 12-month secondment opportunity to join our team at UHS Estates Ltd (UEL). The role is ideal for an experienced project management professional to lead transformational service improvement projects. You will support our business improvement journey by enhancing the services we provide to University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, improving efficiency, effectiveness, and deliverability—thereby creating better outcomes for patients and staff.
Working across estates, facilities, and capital development, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive meaningful change, championin innovation, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
About UHS Estates Ltd (UEL)
UHS Estates Limited (UEL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS). Our role includes:
- Designing and constructing new hospital buildings
- Managing estates maintenance, soft facilities, and equipment services
- Delivering consumables, sustainment, and materials to support the largest acute teaching trust in England
Key Responsibilities
Project Leadership & Delivery
- Lead, plan, and implement a range of projects and improvement initiatives in partnership with impacted teams
- Track and manage project delivery against agreed financial, efficiency, and service improvement objectives
- Work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary stakeholders to deliver sustainable change and optimise processes
Change Facilitation & Stakeholder Engagement
- Build strong relationships to engage and enthuse teams across the organisation, driving adoption of new ways of working
- Develop clear communication strategies to align stakeholders with the vision and goals of projects
- Apply operational research/analysis to identify, mitigate, and manage risks effectively
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Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement
- Investigate and deliver solutions to cross-team challenges, improving service quality and reliability
- Ensure initiatives align with UHS’s long-term business strategy while maintaining compliance with healthcare standards
About Working at UHS Estates Ltd
Employee Benefits
UEL offers a premium package including:
- Generous NHS pension scheme
- NHS terms of service and annual leave compliant with public sector standards
- Access to an employee benefits platform with exclusive discounts on:
- Groceries
- High-street shopping
- Holidays and packages
- Family outings, travel, and more
Why Work in Southampton?
- Lifestyle & location benefits: Situated on the south coast with easy access to London, the city boasts:
- Direct train connections
- Southampton Airport
- Stunning New Forest National Park
- Jurassic Coast beaches (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Cost of living: Approx. 20% lower than London
- Education & community: 14 Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ schools, vibrant cultural scene, and strong community spirit
What You’ll Bring
Key Experience & Skillset
- Strong background in ** transforming services through improvement & project management**
- Proven track record of delivering and sustaining change in multi-stakeholder environments
- Exceptional ability to forecast, communicate, and influence through negotiation and collaboration
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Required Qualifications & Experience
Essential Criteria:
- Relevant university degree (e.g. project, business, operations management) or Level 6 equivalent qualification in a related field, OR extensive equivalent work-based experience
- Masters degree or Level 7 qualification (or similar experience) in project management, operational research, or improvement methodology
- Examples of further training, coursework, and professional development in leadership
- Proficiency in applying recognised project frameworks (e.g. Agile, Waterfall)
- Significant practical experience in service improvement initiatives
- Strong background in healthcare estates, facilities management, manufacturing, logistics, or public sector environments
- Evidence of theoretical and practical risk assessment skills
- Ability to analyse complex technical information and clearly translate findings across diverse teams
- Expertise in risk identification, strategy development, and mitigation planning
Desirable Criteria:
- PRINCE2, APM, or similar certifications in project management
- Prior experience in a healthcare setting or acute NHS trust environment
- Experience working in service improvement (e.g. Lean, Six Sigma)
Making Your Application
We welcome applications from candidates with a proactive mindset and a commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure and patient care. If this role resonates with your expertise and ambitions, we’d be delighted to hear from you.
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