NHS Leadership Academy
Senior Programme Lead – Professional Development
Introduction: The Academy is a flexible, vibrant organisation designed to service the needs of the NHS and
our key sponsors in developing expertise in leadership to improve patient experience and outcomes. The
Senior Programme Leads in the Academy will have a broad mix of skills and experience enabling them to
manage a broad and varied portfolio, giving opportunity for stretch, new experiences and breadth of
capability. All Senior Programme Leads will have specific areas of accountability and responsibility and will
report into their Head of Service for those outcomes. They will also be expected to work collectively to a
common agenda of meeting the core purpose of the Academy and delivering the core business.
Senior Programme Leads will:
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Have a breadth of perspective seeing the whole organisation as the primary purpose.
Demonstrate understanding and behaviours conducive to excellent internal and external stakeholder
management at all levels.
Create supportive and effective conditions for staff and colleagues to deliver high quality
programmes delivery.
Uphold a high performance culture and climate.
Develop an increasing understanding of the nature and complexity of equality and diversity.
Strive to continuously seek improvements and innovation in all work areas.
Job Description
Job Purpose:
The Senior Programme Lead – Professional Development supports the Head of Professional Development in
the design, development, commissioning, commercial activity and delivery of the Academy’s Professional
Leadership Programmes.
These programmes include but are not exclusive to: Edward Jenner, Mary Seacole, Elizabeth Garret
Anderson, Nye Bevan, The Director Programme and Chief Executive offers.
The role is both inward and outward facing, representing the Academy at a national level dealing
professionally with a wide range of stakeholders and external contractors. A key part of this role will be
building relationships with stakeholders inside and outside of the NHS in relation to accessing the
programmes.
The post holder is responsible for overall operational management and leadership of the programmes. The
post holder will also have responsibility for managing and co-ordinating the Academy’s income generation
strategy in terms of programme places and access to them; this will include coordinating and managing
relationships with a range of NHS and non-NHS organisations to enable them to fund participants accessing
the programmes and being accountable for all related processes. The post holder will also co-ordinate the
Academy’s bursary scheme.
The post holder will manage the programmes team who are operating at bands 4, 5 and 6 within the
professional development programmes area. The post holder will also hold a broader leadership role across
the organisation as a Senior Programme Lead. Which will include deputising for the Head of Professional
Development and other Head’s of Service at internal and external engagements.
The post holder will have allocated budgetary responsibility in excess of £15m per annum.
Key Job Functions:
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To take overall responsibility within the Academy for the programme management of the
Professional Leadership programmes, specifically supporting the Head of Service the delivery, for
sales, management and stakeholder relationship management.
Manage the commissioning and on-going contract management elements of the programmes
including managing complex consortia relationships with national and international senior academics
and leadership development experts.
Participate in relevant steering groups, networks, stakeholder forums and meetings to represent the
Academy and promote the career programmes. Proactively offer leadership development support
and interventions.
Design and manage the participant engagement programme working closely with local delivery
partners, providers and contractors.
Have oversight of the Academy’s patient engagement programme.
Be responsible for the management of and take a lead role in the quality assurance processes of
Academy development programmes.
Salary and Position:
Agenda for Change - Band 8b (Subject to
banding)
Travel Requirements:
Leeds base with frequent national travel
including overnight.
Working Relationships:
The Academy is a matrix organisation and staff will have
multiple accountabilities and be expected to work in and
across a variety of teams to complete different elements
of their role.
Role Specification
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Manage the design of any programme related commissioning processes, engaging leaders in the
service to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of the commission.
First point of contact for providers, contractors, and development consultants delivering the
programmes and products.
Actively engage with senior colleagues in the NHS to inform the on-going management and delivery
of the programmes.
Work with colleagues in the Academy and horizon scan for developments in related activities in other
industries to maintain the most up to date practice in the Academy.
Deliver under a clear set of objectives and agreed budget. Manage the performance monitoring,
quality assurance, management and coordination for all aspects of the work
Manage allocated financial and other resources effectively and use Academy business processes.
Knowledge Management
 Provide, receive and work competently with highly complex, sensitive and sometimes contentious
information.
 When dealing with information work within Data Protection and Information Governance rules and
legislation.
 Analyse and interpret information/data using effective and appropriate skills and techniques
according to the complexity and sensitivity of the information/data.
 Use information and data to write reports and other communications including setting out options
appraisals and comparisons.
 Capture, share and where appropriate codify activity for use across the Academy, as a legacy product
and for the wider benefit of the NHS.
Professional Development
 Responsible for the maintenance and improvement of professional knowledge and competence.
Participate in personal objective setting and review, including the creation of a personal development
plan.
Health and Safety
 Co-operate with Academy policies in ensuring that all statutory regulations, codes of practice and
departmental health and safety rules are adhered to by self and team.
 Take reasonable care for one’s own health and safety and that of any other person
who may be affected by the role-holders acts or omissions at work.
Person Specification
The core values of the Academy are essential pre-requisites of working in the Academy and apply to all staff
who will be expected to:
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Demonstrate these values in their work commitment and adherence to the NHS code of conduct.
Act in a way which models the best in leadership behaviours, has values demonstrably congruent
with the NHS constitution. Be regarded by peers (and reports where applicable) as honest, open,
transparent, and demonstrates integrity and professionalism.
Working at all times in ways which value and promote diversity and difference in the workplace.
Focus on outcomes and the ultimate goal of improving services for patients.
Specifically the essential criteria for this role are:
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Master’s degree or equivalent level qualification in relevant subject.
Highly developed interest in leadership development, able to flexibly respond to the need of
colleagues working across the professional development team.
Experience of designing, developing and quality assuring programme interventions to support
leadership development.
National experience of working with regulatory and professional bodies.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to communicate in a clear and
articulate manner using tact and diplomacy in managing people and difficult situations.
Able to prioritise and plan work in a busy environment and to demanding deadlines.
Able to demonstrate integrity and discretion when working with confidential matters.
Experience of working with leaders across the NHS from all professional backgrounds.
Evidence of strong personal and professional development in service of high quality leadership
development.
Ability to analyse and use information.
Self-starter who can work with minimal supervision.
Significant experience of working with academic institutions and the implications for programme
design and development.
Experience in developing policy to support academic programme implementation.
Exceptional skills in complex programme management with multiple stakeholders and a track record
of significant delivery of complex national projects acquired through degree or equivalent experience
or training and development.
Excellent stakeholder management skills and experience.
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Understanding of the NHS context and environment and implications for development and training.
Ability to network well and build effective alliances with a wide range of stakeholders.
Exceptional communication skills both written and verbal.
Experience of the use of social media techniques.
Experience of commissioning external contracts and managing the same to high effect.
Experience of working with leaders across the NHS from all professional backgrounds
Works across boundaries, looks for collective success, listens, involves, respects and learns from the
contribution of others
Flexibility is essential with the requirement for regular travel & overnight stays.