Job summary

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Project Manager (Band 7) to support delivery of the accelerated Delegated Commissioning programme from 2026/27.

This 12-month fixed-term role will support the expansion of delegated commissioning arrangements across the Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism (MHLDA) portfolio. The postholder will be responsible for managing defined projects and workstreams, ensuring delivery across the full project lifecycle, including planning, governance, risk and issue management, and coordination of key elements such as contract and budget transfer arrangements. The role will also contribute to the development of systems and processes required to embed delegated commissioning within the Trust.

Working closely with senior programme leads, the postholder will play a key role in driving delivery, engaging stakeholders, and ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to quality standards . The role sits within the Transformation and Change Team, with access to structured supervision, peer support, and professional development.

This is an opportunity to contribute to a high-profile, system-wide transformation programme within a collaborative environment, focused on improving services, strengthening commissioning delivery, and supporting system-wide change.

Main duties of the job

o Provides overall management for projectsoSupports, facilitates and monitors progress of project within and across site(s)o Supports performance improvemento Manages a team of project staffo Accountable for achieving project objectives, meeting deadlines, and ensuring outcomes align with organisational and stakeholder expectations.o Responsible for identifying and escalating significant risks, issues, or deviations from the plan that require senior intervention

About us

Our support services help to keep the trust running. They are the core to everything we do and are valued as such.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Project Planning and Delivery Manage the full lifecycle of projects, from initiation and planning through to execution and closure, ensuring that all project deliverables are met. Develop, implement, and monitor comprehensive project plans, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and goals. Define project scope, objectives, deliverables, and success criteria in collaboration with stakeholders. Ensure project milestones are met, resolving issues and managing dependencies effectively.

Stakeholder Management Engage and collaborate with key stakeholders, including internal teams, external partners, and senior management, to ensure project alignment with organisational goals and stakeholder expectations. Facilitate effective communication and engagement, ensuring stakeholder needs are considered throughout the project lifecycle.

Governance and Reporting Establish appropriate project governance frameworks, ensuring that progress is regularly tracked and reported to the Head of PMO and senior leaders. Provide updates on risks, issues, and performance metrics. Conduct post-project evaluations and disseminate lessons learned to inform future work.

Risk and Issue Management Identify potential project risks and issues, ensuring that mitigation strategies are developed and implemented to minimise disruption to the projects success. Resolve issues promptly, ensuring minimal disruption to project delivery.

Resource and Budget Management Manage project resources effectively, ensuring that financial and human resources are optimally allocated and controlled throughout the projects lifecycle. Monitor expenditure against budgets, reporting on variances and implementing corrective actions as needed.Change Management Support the implementation of organisational change initiatives by ensuring that change is communicated effectively and that stakeholders are engaged and supported through transitions. Identify opportunities for innovation and improvement, driving changes that enhance service delivery.Benefits Realisation Ensure that the project delivers measurable benefits, tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) and ensuring the alignment of outcomes with the organisations strategic objectives.

Job description
Job responsibilities

Project Planning and Delivery Manage the full lifecycle of projects, from initiation and planning through to execution and closure, ensuring that all project deliverables are met. Develop, implement, and monitor comprehensive project plans, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and goals. Define project scope, objectives, deliverables, and success criteria in collaboration with stakeholders. Ensure project milestones are met, resolving issues and managing dependencies effectively.

Stakeholder Management Engage and collaborate with key stakeholders, including internal teams, external partners, and senior management, to ensure project alignment with organisational goals and stakeholder expectations. Facilitate effective communication and engagement, ensuring stakeholder needs are considered throughout the project lifecycle.

Governance and Reporting Establish appropriate project governance frameworks, ensuring that progress is regularly tracked and reported to the Head of PMO and senior leaders. Provide updates on risks, issues, and performance metrics. Conduct post-project evaluations and disseminate lessons learned to inform future work.

Risk and Issue Management Identify potential project risks and issues, ensuring that mitigation strategies are developed and implemented to minimise disruption to the projects success. Resolve issues promptly, ensuring minimal disruption to project delivery.

Resource and Budget Management Manage project resources effectively, ensuring that financial and human resources are optimally allocated and controlled throughout the projects lifecycle. Monitor expenditure against budgets, reporting on variances and implementing corrective actions as needed.Change Management Support the implementation of organisational change initiatives by ensuring that change is communicated effectively and that stakeholders are engaged and supported through transitions. Identify opportunities for innovation and improvement, driving changes that enhance service delivery.Benefits Realisation Ensure that the project delivers measurable benefits, tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) and ensuring the alignment of outcomes with the organisations strategic objectives.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
• Project or programme management training or qualification (Prince2, MSP, APM)
• Evidence on ongoing CPD activity

Knowledge/Experience

Essential

• Proven experience in managing small to medium-sized projects, ideally within a public sector or government environment.
• Strong track record of delivering projects on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and managing cross-functional project teams.
• Solid understanding of project management methodologies, such as PRINCE2, Agile, or Waterfall
• Knowledge of NHS frameworks and governance structures
• Team management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop staff

Person Specification
Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
• Project or programme management training or qualification (Prince2, MSP, APM)
• Evidence on ongoing CPD activity

Knowledge/Experience

Essential

• Proven experience in managing small to medium-sized projects, ideally within a public sector or government environment.
• Strong track record of delivering projects on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and managing cross-functional project teams.
• Solid understanding of project management methodologies, such as PRINCE2, Agile, or Waterfall
• Knowledge of NHS frameworks and governance structures
• Team management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop staff

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such 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.
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 .

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. .

Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such 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.
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 .

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. .

Employer details

Employer name

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Address

Portland House

Worthing

BN11 1HS

United Kingdom

Employer's website