Outstanding Care, Outstanding Careers

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Job overview

Are you an experienced project manager passionate about working collaboratively to improve patient pathways and clinical services? Do you thrive in complex environments, bringing people together to deliver meaningful change? If so, we'd love you to join Our Dorset Provider Collaborative as our new Project Manager.

You'll help shape improvement projects across acute, community and primary care partners. Working closely with clinical and operational teams, you'll help drive the development and delivery of Single Dorset Services, and provide high-quality insight to deliver transformation.

You'll be an experienced project manager who is confident working in complex environments and balancing competing priorities. You'll be a strong communicator, relationship builder and problem solver with the ability to motivate others and bring people together.

We have set up a single strategic provider collaborative, the ODPC to improve population health and healthcare, tackle unequal outcomes and access, enhance productivity and value for money, and help the NHS to support broader social and economic development

In return we will offer a supportive, collaborative team working across the Dorset system, flexible working arrangements, a permanent contract, opportunities for professional development and leadership growth, and the chance to deliver projects that genuinely improve services and patient care

The role is hybrid, with a nominated base and travel required for meetings

Main duties of the job

What You'll Be Doing
• Leading the planning, delivery and management of ODPC projects
• Supporting the development and coordination of working across acute, community and primary care
• Using data, benchmarking and national tools to identify opportunities for improvement
• Producing project documentation including project initiation documents, plans, highlight reports and end-of-project products
• Developing strong and collaborative working relationships with clinical, managerial and administrative colleagues
• Presenting project progress, risks and benefits to senior stakeholders
• Contributing to the development of policies, guidelines and evidence-based practice

What You'll Be Doing
• Leading the planning, delivery and management of ODPC projects
• Supporting the development and coordination of working across acute, community and primary care
• Using data, benchmarking and national tools to identify opportunities for improvement
• Producing project documentation including project initiation documents, plans, highlight reports and end-of-project products
• Developing strong and collaborative working relationships with clinical, managerial and administrative colleagues
• Presenting project progress, risks and benefits to senior stakeholders
• Contributing to the development of policies, guidelines and evidence-based practice

Working for our organisation

Our Dorset Provider Collaborative (ODPC)

In Dorset we have set up a single strategic provider collaborative which is governed by a leadership board.

The goals of the ODPC are:

• Improving population health and healthcare
• Tackling unequal outcomes and access
• Enhancing productivity and value for money
• Helping the NHS to support broader social and economic development.

The partner organisations of Dorset ODPC are:

• Dorset County Hospital
• Dorset HealthCare University
• University Hospitals Dorset
• Dorset General Practice Alliance

We understand that some applicants may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in preparing their application materials. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind candidates that all submissions must be truthful and accurately reflect your own experiences and suitability for this role.
Personal integrity and authenticity are central to our recruitment process. We value honesty and appreciate applications that are genuine and representative of the individual behind them.

UKVI Sponsorship: This role is eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). We welcome applications from individuals who require sponsorship to work in the UK. Sponsorship will be offered subject to meeting UKVI eligibility criteria.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.

Please contact us at Recruitment@dchft.nhs.uk if you are unable to view or download the attachment.

For all our roles, we are looking for staff who hold our Trust Values of Integrity, Respect Teamwork and Excellence, and who are passionate about providing the best patient care. To read more about our Trust and our Values search Dorset County Hospital online.

Person specification

Education, Qualification and Tranining

Essential criteria

• Degree or equivalent experience
• Project management qualification such as PRINCE2 or equivalent experience
• Evidence of continued professional development
• Leadership / management development

Desirable criteria

• Ability and willingness to undertake further short training on local project management software system

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience in Project Management including -developing project initiation documents, action plans, and project reports, in a complex environment to challenging deadlines
• Experience of partnership working across organisations and teams whose goals may not be aligned
• Understanding of structure of current acute health services
• Knowledge of the drivers for change in acute services
• Knowledge of national data sources to inform performance and service change

Desirable criteria

• Senior management experience
• Experience of project management within a defined approach
• Experience of working in or with health or social care
• Experience of researching best practice, interpreting its relevance and identifying how this could be implemented successfully to achieve service delivery

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria

• Effective communication skills with a range of stakeholders
• Ability to establish strong working relationships
• Able to solve problems and work on own initiative
• Able to manage opposition and conflict
• Proven ability to work with and motivate others
• Able to prepare and present briefing papers and reports to tight deadlines
• Ability to balance competing demands and work to tight timescales
• Well-developed IT skills (e.g. Microsoft office package, email systems)
• Facilitation skills and ability to work with a group of mixed stakeholders
• Excellent negotiation, communication and interpersonal skills (including written, verbal)
• Presentation skills

Our Mission

Outstanding care for people in ways which matter to them.
Our Vision

Dorset County Hospital, working with our health and social care partners, will be at the heart of improving the well-being of our communities.
Our Values

Integrity, Respect, Teamwork, Excellence

We are a Trust that celebrates diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We would welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.

For more information, please use the link below to read our joint strategy for Dorset County Hospital and Dorset Healthcare.

Trust Strategy | Dorset County Hospital (dchft.nhs.uk)

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT INFORMATION CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

Please read the job description and person specification carefully to ensure your application reflects the knowledge, skills and experience required.

The closing date/interview date is subject to amendment; this vacancy may therefore expire at short notice, so we recommend that you submit an application at your earliest convenience. We reserve the right to close any vacancies without notice.

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted via email; therefore it is important that you check your personal email account regularly.

Unfortunately we are unable to respond to every application; if we do not contact you within 4 weeks of the closing date, please be advised that you not have been shortlisted on this occasion.

You can contact us on 01305 254655 to find out whether you have been shortlisted or if you would like feedback.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Documents to download

• ODPC Project Manager JD PS March 2026 (PDF, 584.2KB)
• Car Parking Information for Employees (PDF, 225.0KB)
• DBS Code of Practice (PDF, 54.9KB)
• Dorset Map (PDF, 59.3KB)
• Guidance regarding Disabled Staff (PDF, 96.3KB)
• Advice for Candidates (PDF, 110.5KB)
• Trust Values (PDF, 678.1KB)
• The NHS Constitution (PDF, 568.7KB)
• DCH Recruitment Information Pack (PDF, 1.2MB)
• Joint Strategy - Dorset County Hospital and Dorset Healthcare (PDF, 6.0MB)