JOB DESCRIPTION
Job title:
Head of Planning & Delivery
Location:
Leeds/London (with some travel)
Reports to:
Group Director of Internal Affairs
Grade:
Manager 2
Date prepared:
April 2015
PURPOSE
As Head of Planning & Delivery, the postholder will be responsible for ensuring that
the organisation has a clear line of sight between its strategy and its activities, that
priorities are identified, clear plans are in place and delivered effectively, and
performance is effectively monitored with any issues understood and managed
appropriately.
The postholder will need to demonstrate a strong understanding of the context that
the organisation is working within and our strategic priorities. The postholder will
manage the organisation’s programme office (a new function), ensuring effective
resourcing and prioritisation of major projects. They will be responsible for enabling
effective decision making about priorities and resource allocation, and will lead
continuous development and improvement of the organisation’s strategy, planning
and performance. They will ensure that there is effective communication within the
organisation about our priorities and delivery performance.
The postholder will need to develop productive working relationships with a broad
range of senior internal and external stakeholders, helping to solve problems and
work through challenges. They will provide advice, expertise and support to the
senior leadership team, the board (mainly through the board’s Finance and
Performance Committee) and managers to develop, implement and review the
organisation’s strategy and delivery plans.
This is a senior role within the organisation which will require strong leadership skills
and an ability to develop effective working relationships. The postholder will need to
exercise fine judgement and ensure that they are setting the tone as an
ambassador for the organisation, demonstrating a strong values-based approach.
NATURE & SCOPE
The postholder will by line managed by the Group Director of Internal Affairs. The
postholder will work closely with the Chief Executive and other members of the
senior leadership team, providing strategic advice.
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The Head of Planning & Delivery will be accountable for a range of corporate
functions, including delivery of corporate programmes, planning and performance.
The postholder will work closely with the Company Secretary to ensure that risks
are escalated appropriately and decision-making processes are aligned with the
organisation’s priorities.
The postholder will manage a team of 3 people (and additional fixed-term
programme office staff as required).
STRUCTURE CHART
Head of Planning &
Delivery
Programme manager
Programme manager
Corporate comms
manager
Fixed term programme
office staff
(as required)
ACCOUNTABILITIES
Strategic planning:
 Work closely with the Group Directors to develop a long term strategy for the
organisation, underpinned by a clear vision, mission and strategic objectives
 Review the appropriateness of the organisation’s corporate strategy in relation to
both the external environment and the organisation’s internal capabilities
 Work with the Director of Internal Affairs and Head of Finance to develop the
underpinning business model and financial strategy
 Ensure that the organisation’s strategy is clearly articulated and understood by
staff and key stakeholders, and embedded in the organisation’s processes as
appropriate
Delivery and programme office:
 Lead development of a programme management approach, implementing the
findings of the recent internal audit report and developing project management
capability across the organisation
 Develop the organisation’s capability to win and deliver new contracts,
developing relationships with key external stakeholders, overseeing major bids
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for new work, working closely with the programme managers and procurement
team to ensure a streamlined process and leading delivery of the organisation’s
emerging commercial strategy
Oversee the delivery of key organisation-wide projects and contracts, with a
combined value of approximately £1m
Support negotiations and oversee delivery of the organisation’s contracts with
national bodies
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Business planning and performance
 Support the development of a culture where the organisation is able to challenge
its performance in a proactive manner and demonstrate accountability for results
 Lead the development of the NHS Confederation's business plan, working with
all parts of the group to ensure that the plan clearly set out the organisation’s
objectives for the year; working with the Head of Finance to ensure that the
business plan is supported by a robust budget
 Design and develop meaningful performance information and reports that
provide the board and senior management team with the advice, information and
expertise that enables them to set clear organisational direction and monitor
achievement
 Lead on systems development to support effective corporate planning,
monitoring and reporting, primarily the on-line planning and reporting system.
 Ensure that performance reports are communicated effectively and consistently
to staff
 Work with the Company Secretary to ensure that business planning and
performance reporting are integrated with risk management
Other:
 Act as a key contact point and manage senior relationships with key
stakeholders
 Attend meetings on the Director of Internal Affairs’ behalf and ensure that their
views and priorities are reflected
 Provide clarity of outcome/actions and ensuring these are followed to resolution
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
The postholder will be able to demonstrate:
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Leadership skills and values consistent with those of the NHS Confederation
A strong background in delivery, planning and performance
A sound understanding of best practice project governance and risk
management
A self-starter, capable of acting on their own initiative and proactively
managing competing demands and pressures
Significant experience of providing support and challenge at a senior level
Excellent people management skills, including upward management of senior
staff
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Demonstrable experience of identifying problems or gaps within an
organisation and taking positive action to address these
Ability to work collaboratively, with a range of colleagues both in the wider
organisation and externally
Excellent interpersonal, diplomatic, oral communication and presentation skills
Well placed sense of judgement and political skills
Significant experience of managing other staff and co-ordinating workloads
across teams, including those not directly managed, to achieve maximum
efficiency
Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills and the confidence to
challenge others, including senior colleagues, where necessary
SAFETY
Health and Safety at Work Act
The postholder is required to take reasonable care for the safety and health of
themselves and others who may be affected by their acts; and to co-ordinate with
management in the promotion and maintenance of health and safety measures.”
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PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job title:
Head of Planning & Delivery
ATTRIBUTES
Experience
(for example: in the
sector/industry, of
being a manager)
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
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Knowledge
(for example: of the
sector, industry, topic
area – include
educational and
vocational
qualifications)
Skills
(for example: written,
presentation, IT)
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DESIRABLE CRITERIA
Significant experience of providing support and
challenge at a senior level
Developing robust planning, performance and risk
management processes
Running a programme management office and
supporting a culture of effective project
management
Prioritising and managing a large and diverse
workload with competing priorities
Leading and working across teams
Chairing meetings and facilitating workshops
Budget management and financial planning
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A good understanding of project governance and
best practice
Knowledge of strategic approach to risk
management
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DEMONSTRATED
BY
Financial strategy
experience
Commercial/business
development experience
Knowledge of the NHS and
the wider healthcare system
Ability to use fine judgements
Ability to work independently and effectively as
part of a team
Strong analytical skills
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Other information
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Strong project management skills
Financial acumen
Excellent verbal communication skills and ability
to engage with staff at all levels within an
organisation
Ability to present complex information in a variety
of formats
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to
build and maintain relationships with staff across
functions including trustees and senior managers
An effective decision maker: create clarity for
others, and make successful decisions by
evaluating priorities, options and
recommendations
Strategic with strong leadership skills
Able to work in a high pressure, sensitive
environment – often with confidential information
Drive and energy to deliver
Self-motivated
Team player
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