Job summary

The post holder will play a central role in shaping CUH's neighbourhood health strategyhelping define future models of care, informing investment decisions, and ensuring that learning from pilots translates into scalable, sustainable change. Two roles are available, one focused on the Integrated Urgent & Emergency Care portfolio and the other on the Planned & Proactive Care portfolio, with the flexibility to support wider programme priorities as required.

Working collaboratively with senior stakeholders, the Strategic Project Lead will use data and evidence to guide decision making, and lead the design, testing and scale up of new models of care, addressing operational, cultural and financial barriers. The post holder will maintain an active awareness of the evolving national and local policy landscape, and any implications for our system. The role requires close collaboration with clinical and operational leaders across CUH and our partners, and offers wide exposure to our executive team and board, commissioners, primary/community care, and regional/national teams.

Main duties of the job

Have overall responsibility for developing and managing the operational implementation of strategic projects, including the development of the model and implementation plan (including the use of a risk register, escalating issues when required).

Identify and diagnose strategically relevant issues and opportunities (e.g. through horizon scanning), generating solutions, and iterating with relevant stakeholders.

Work with Divisional Directors, Finance, Workforce and external partners (e.g. charities), to assess and plan requirements for the delivery of strategies / major projects.

About us

Our Trust

Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.

CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:

- applied for a Graduate visa

- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment

This vacancy will close at midnight on 21st June 2026.

Interviews are due to be held on 9th July 2026.

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Job description
Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:

- applied for a Graduate visa

- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment

This vacancy will close at midnight on 21st June 2026.

Interviews are due to be held on 9th July 2026.

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• oEducated to First Degree Level or equivalent
• oEducated to masters level or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in specialist areas
• oEvidence of CPD

Desirable

• Postgraduate Management qualification
• Project Management or Change Management qualification

Experience

Essential

• oProven experience in senior operational management, covering multiple specialities and pathways. Knowledge of inpatient, outpatient and diagnostic requirements of pathways
• oProven experience in project management
• oExperience in the development and use of a quality management system
• oProven experience of managing a team including: Appraisal skills, Recruitment and selection skills, Disciplinary and capability procedures, Experience in workforce planning to ensure service continuity
• oEvidence of continuing professional development
• oExperience in finance, policy and service development changes
• oSubstantial proven experience of budget management on a large scale (revenue and capital)

Knowledge

Essential

• oExtensive knowledge of strategy and policy within the Trust, region and NHS. Including an understanding of tertiary treatment pathways, commissioning of pathways and the future changes Cancer Alliances and networks will bring.
• oKnowledge of auditing processes
• oKnowledge and understanding of best practice risk management processes
• oMust have a comprehensive understanding of the background to and aims of current healthcare policy and appreciate the implications of this on engagement
• oComprehensive understanding of the relationship between the Department of Health and Social Care, and individual provider and commissioning organisations
• oExtensive knowledge of business and activity planning processes
• oExtensive knowledge of risk management processes
• oKnowledge of IT/technology used in a clinical environment

Desirable

• Knowledge of research and development

Skills

Essential

• oProven leadership skills at a senior management level
• oExcellent and effective verbal and written communication at a senior level
• oProven ability to work in an organised manner and to high standards
• oProven project management skills
• oExcellent presentation skills for conveying complex concepts to a range of audiences
• oExcellent attention to detail and the ability to meet multiple and competing deadlines
• oProblem solving/trouble shooting skills
• oExcellent skills in the use of Microsoft office applications (including Excel, Word and PowerPoint) and databases
• oHighly developed communication and negotiation skills for delivering key and contentious messages to a range of stakeholders both internal and external (including outside the NHS) to the organization, some at very senior level
• oAbility to use informed persuasion to influence others
• oAbility to identify risks, anticipate issues and create solutions and to resolve problems in relation to or service delivery
• oAbility to understand a broad range of complex information quickly and making decisions where opinions differ/no obvious solution
• oEvidence of planning and delivering programmes and projects and services, on time
• oFinancial and staff management
• oAbility to work without supervision, providing specialist advice to the organisation, working to tight and often changing timescales
• oAbility to consider the most effective way to promote equality of opportunity and good working relationships in employment and service delivery and to take actions which support and promote this agenda.

Additional Requirements

Essential

• oThe ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.

Person Specification
Qualifications

Essential

• oEducated to First Degree Level or equivalent
• oEducated to masters level or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in specialist areas
• oEvidence of CPD

Desirable

• Postgraduate Management qualification
• Project Management or Change Management qualification

Experience

Essential

• oProven experience in senior operational management, covering multiple specialities and pathways. Knowledge of inpatient, outpatient and diagnostic requirements of pathways
• oProven experience in project management
• oExperience in the development and use of a quality management system
• oProven experience of managing a team including: Appraisal skills, Recruitment and selection skills, Disciplinary and capability procedures, Experience in workforce planning to ensure service continuity
• oEvidence of continuing professional development
• oExperience in finance, policy and service development changes
• oSubstantial proven experience of budget management on a large scale (revenue and capital)

Knowledge

Essential

• oExtensive knowledge of strategy and policy within the Trust, region and NHS. Including an understanding of tertiary treatment pathways, commissioning of pathways and the future changes Cancer Alliances and networks will bring.
• oKnowledge of auditing processes
• oKnowledge and understanding of best practice risk management processes
• oMust have a comprehensive understanding of the background to and aims of current healthcare policy and appreciate the implications of this on engagement
• oComprehensive understanding of the relationship between the Department of Health and Social Care, and individual provider and commissioning organisations
• oExtensive knowledge of business and activity planning processes
• oExtensive knowledge of risk management processes
• oKnowledge of IT/technology used in a clinical environment

Desirable

• Knowledge of research and development

Skills

Essential

• oProven leadership skills at a senior management level
• oExcellent and effective verbal and written communication at a senior level
• oProven ability to work in an organised manner and to high standards
• oProven project management skills
• oExcellent presentation skills for conveying complex concepts to a range of audiences
• oExcellent attention to detail and the ability to meet multiple and competing deadlines
• oProblem solving/trouble shooting skills
• oExcellent skills in the use of Microsoft office applications (including Excel, Word and PowerPoint) and databases
• oHighly developed communication and negotiation skills for delivering key and contentious messages to a range of stakeholders both internal and external (including outside the NHS) to the organization, some at very senior level
• oAbility to use informed persuasion to influence others
• oAbility to identify risks, anticipate issues and create solutions and to resolve problems in relation to or service delivery
• oAbility to understand a broad range of complex information quickly and making decisions where opinions differ/no obvious solution
• oEvidence of planning and delivering programmes and projects and services, on time
• oFinancial and staff management
• oAbility to work without supervision, providing specialist advice to the organisation, working to tight and often changing timescales
• oAbility to consider the most effective way to promote equality of opportunity and good working relationships in employment and service delivery and to take actions which support and promote this agenda.

Additional Requirements

Essential

• oThe ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.

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

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address

Addenbrookes Hospital-Division Corporate

Hills Road

Cambridge

CB2 0QQ

United Kingdom

Employer's website