After applying via NHS Jobs, your submitted application will be imported into our preferred Third-party recruitment system. All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs. You will not be able to track the progress of your application or receive messages through the NHS Jobs website, and furthermore, as an employer, we will not be able to respond to any e-mails sent to us via the NHS Jobs website. By applying for this post you are agreeing to "name of trust" transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are appointed to a post information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Job overview

The Cheshire and Merseyside Provider Collaborative (CMPC), brings together all NHS Trusts across Cheshire and Merseyside with the aim of creating a shared opportunity for provider engagement, improvement and transformation across the health and care system.

MPC focus on finding opportunities for more efficiency, removing unwarranted variation and embedding standardised ways of working where appropriate, as well as working to ensure that those in greatest need have access to quality health and care services.

The Senior Project Manager is required to support CMPC to deliver their corporate objectives and portfolio and will be responsible for ensuring best practice in project management delivery.

The postholder will provide a project management role in the Elective Recovery and Transformation programme and will have responsibility for supporting the successful delivery of a few projects for the full lifecycle from initiation to closure.

The post holder will be expected to act autonomously ensuring that daily tasks and workloads are prioritised and completed in agreed time frames, and they must have excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to hold project leads to account.

The postholder will require experience working in project management in a healthcare environment. Experience working at system level within the NHS is desirable.

Main duties of the job

• The aim of the post is to provide a project management role within the Cheshire & Merseyside Provider Collaborative Programme.
• The post holder will be responsible for working in a programme management office, based upon best practice in programme management delivery.
• The post holder will be responsible for supporting, planning, facilitating, and implementing specific work programmes ensuring that project reporting structures are in place and that effective reporting; escalation and remediation is in place at all times.
• The post holder will manage regional and national submissions on behalf the programme manager and work closely with the CMPC Blueprint Programme, Clinical Fragile Services Team to provide project management support.
• The post holder will be expected to act autonomously ensuring that daily tasks and workloads are prioritised and completed in agreed time frames. They must have excellent interpersonal skills and hold project leads to account.
• The post holder will handle and manage complex and sensitive information about performance, data, work processes, commercial plans, strategic objectives, and barriers to change. They will ensure that communication about transformation, business development and change projects is presented diplomatically, honestly and with sensitivity so that working relationships are maintained and developed.

The JD & PS are currently under AfC review and are subject to change.

Working for our organisation

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 10,500 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.

Our services:

Acute Care

Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.

Primary Care

Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.

Community Services

Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.

Specialist Regional Services

We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.

Achievements:

• Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
• Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
• National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Project Management & Programme Support

• Responsible for supporting the delivery of CMPC Programme
• Support the programme to develop and implement a standardised work approach to managing change. Ensure this is reviewed regularly in line with programme and project management best practice.
• Have responsibility for supporting the successful delivery of a number of projects, and support delivery of programmes for the full lifecycle from initiation to closure.
• Support the relevant leads in the delivery of projects that are supported by the governance structure. Delivering regular highlight reports to Programme Committees and escalating risks, issues, and exceptions when appropriate.
• Monitor the progress of the projects and support the programmes against the programme plan, ensuring where necessary the programme/projects are able to adapt to changing requirements and that plans are adjusted accordingly so that the deliverables are on time, to specified quality and within budget.
• Analyse and evaluate the many diverse and conflicting issues associated with the completion of the project and support programmes and decide how resources are to be used.
• To be responsible for developing and tracking the progress of project plans and support programme planning, including resource planning.
• To identify and manage risks and issues associated with the project programme, including supporting the development and implementation of contingency plans. Where necessary, progress the escalation of project risks and issues which have been identified.
• Ensure that appropriate plans, documentation, and procedures are in place when transitioning from the development project to business as usual.
• Support the alignment and development of organisational; operational; clinical and workforce policies as a key enabler of effective integration.
• Provide effective communications on project/programme progress to ensure all stakeholders, internal and external, are fully aware and involved in the Programme.
• Make and support presentations to multi-disciplinary groups of staff on topics associated with the integration project and programme.

Performance Management

• Contribute to the development and implementation of key performance indicators and critical success factors across system Trusts in relation to wait times and data collection. Adhere to the governance/performance structure that ensures the project / programme is objectively reviewed for deliverability and is compliant with statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor and manage delivery against these targets and produce regular management and update reports detailing performance. Ensure the overarching plan shows all key activities, milestones and interdependencies and is supported by underpinning detailed action plans.
• To identify and manage risks and issues associated with the project, including the development and implementation of contingency plans ensuring effective escalation where plans are off track.
• Support the development of mitigating actions in the event of individual plans not realising their full benefits to ensure the overall Programme is delivered.
• Ensure delivery of simultaneous plans that are maintained and updated consistently across the Programme in accordance with system requirements to agreed procedures and protocols and to timescales, supporting staff to deliver and report against actions.
• The post holder will have autonomy to make decisions within broad guidelines set by the Fragile Services Programme. Priorities are set but post holder manages own workload and works independently and identifies the most appropriate way of working.
• Supporting the Programme leads with relevant information and option appraisals to assist decision making about individual or multiple plans where required and developing benefits realisation measures.
• Undertake Post Implementation Reviews and Lessons Learned activities on completion of projects/programmes ensuring these are acted on to inform all future work of the teams, utilising appropriate project/programme management methodology.
• Dedicate the concentration required to collate, analyse, check, and report on complex information, while coping with ongoing project issues and interruptions.
• Lead, manage and influence through motivation and effective communication including making presentations to groups on topics associated with the programme.
• Work with the leads to develop, refine, and champion best practice across the organisation in relation to project management.
• Education and training development
• The post holder will also be expected to train others within the team on Project Management techniques.

Equality and Diversity

• It is the responsibility of every member of staff to understand our equality and diversity commitments and statutory obligations under current equality legislation (the Equality Act 2010) and to:
• Act in ways that support equality and diversity and recognises the importance of people's rights in accordance with legislation, policies, procedures, and good practice.
• Valuing people as individuals and treating everyone with dignity and respect, consideration and without prejudice, respecting diversity and recognising peoples expressed beliefs, preferences, and choices in working with others and delivering appropriate services.
• Recognise and report behaviour that undermines equality under Trust policy.
• Be consciously aware of own behaviour and encourage the same levels of behaviour in colleagues.
• Acknowledge others' different perspectives and recognise the diverse needs and experiences of everyone they come into contact with.
• With the support of managers develop an equality and diversity objective through the personal development review process.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Relevant first degree or equivalent experience.
• Formal project management qualification or ability to demonstrate substantial experience and success in delivering projects.

Desirable criteria

• Formal project/programme management qualification (PRINCE2 or MSP Foundation)

Knowledge & Experience

Essential criteria

• Formal project management qualification or ability to demonstrate substantial experience and success in delivering projects.
• Substantial experience of working with acute trusts, particularly on the management of elective waiting lists and the application of referral to treatment rules.
• Substantial experience of using Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience of working with colleagues at all levels including clinicians
• Experience of negotiating on difficult and controversial issues, including performance and change.
• Experience of effecting change in an organisation.
• Experience of leading clinical teams through change, using a known methodology.
• Thorough understanding of the benefits of using Project management standards and the ability to adapt these to meet the requirements of the project.
• Experience of delivering formal presentations

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in an NHS environment

Skills

Essential criteria

• Ability to work on unfamiliar topics
• Excellent interpersonal and facilitation skills including oral and written communication skills and ability to deliver presentations.
• Negotiation, motivation and influencing skills.
• Planning and organisation skills with the ability to manage numerous conflicting priorities.
• Ability to check own and others work to ensure all products are of a high quality.
• Must be able to prioritise own work effectively, including checking others work to ensure all products are of a high quality
• Excellent interpersonal skills including facilitation skills, oral and written communication skills, negotiation, motivation and influencing skills
• Ability to persuade senior managers and frontline staff of the importance of the project or programme
• Ability to frequently concentrate for prolonged periods of time, managing interruptions as appropriate
• Ability to manage junior members of staff

Other

Essential criteria

• Ability to embrace and adhere to values and behaviours for this role
• Able to commute to all sites within the local health economy and further afield when required
• Ability and willingness to undertake further training as necessary

Thank you for considering an application to work for Mersey West Lancashire NHS Trust. MWL is an exciting and forward-thinking NHS Trust who are one of the best places to work for in England.

Given sometimes we receive a high volume of applications to work for us, please be aware, that we may close a vacancy earlier than stated should a sufficient number of applications be received from which a shortlist can be confirmed. Therefore, you are advised to apply at your earliest convenience.

The Trust may contact you during the recruitment process for your feedback on your experience. We always aim for continuous improvement in our practice.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

We actively cultivate a professional environment of fairness, equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and value the unique skills, perspective and experience you bring. We are grounded in the belief that diversity enhances our collective strength, fostering innovation and excellence within our workforce. We welcome all applications irrespective of people's race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we commit to offering an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.

If you are having difficulty completing an online application, or require any disability reasonable adjustments, to the application process, please contact Recruitment@merseywestlancs.nhs.uk

We also commit to offering an interview to all armed forces veterans who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.

The Trust operates anonymous shortlisting where no personal information about you, including your name or personal details are shared with the recruiting manager. No equality information is shared at any time during the recruitment process with the recruiting manager or other people involved in the decision-making process.

The equality monitoring information you provide is used in the following situations: to review our recruitment practices; where a job is limited to a specific person to verify their eligibility to apply; and to offer disability reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab)

Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click here to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorship.

eVisa Update

For successful candidates on selected work and study visa routes, who have completed and paid for their applications will no longer receive a visa vignette in passport as evidence of their permission to enter the UK.

Instead, you will be issued with an eVisa only, which is accessed by creating a UKVI account.

Before travelling to the UK, we advise applicants to:

• Create a UKVI account
• Link their current passport
• Access their eVisa straightaway to check all details. Incorrect information should be reported as soon as possible using the following link: https://www.gov.uk/report-error-evisa
• Understand how to generate an eVisa share code

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

If this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Please note if applicable, applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment.

If you have not already done so, you are therefore encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service to which a small annual fee of £13 per year applies.

Flexible Working

We actively support flexible working patterns throughout MWL. Changes made to the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook mean that:

• All employees have the right to request flexible working from day one of employment.
• There is no limit on the number of requests they can make.
• Employees have the right to make requests, have them considered, regardless of the reason.

At Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, we will consider requests for flexible working. We would also encourage you to also discuss flexible working options at interview stage.

Working for Team MWL

Staff recognition is especially important to us; as well as performance reviews and appraisals, we recognise staff through Employee of the month. Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.

The Trust is a non-smoking across all our sites. Failure to follow this rule could lead to disciplinary action. For more information, see the Smoke Free NHS website.

You will be expected to undertake the Trusts' commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

You must ensure that your application, including personal statements and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.

The Trust will not accept applications which are found to be AI generated and will check all applications against AI detection software.

Additional Information

Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and Behaviours which are We are KIND, We are OPEN, We are INCLUSIVE, which can be found here.

An applicant guide to help and support you with your application and what to expect during your recruitment journey can be accessed in the supporting documents.

Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team MWL very soon.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

• Job Description (PDF, 488.6KB)
• Personal Specification (PDF, 504.6KB)
• Role Risk Assessment (PDF, 400.6KB)
• Important information for candidates (PDF, 128.6KB)
• Helpful tips to complete your application form (PDF, 1.2MB)
• MWL Recruitment Journey (PDF, 884.1KB)
• Staff Benefits at MWL (PDF, 5.6MB)