Job vacancy: PMO Lead - Transformation Pathfinder Scheme, Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Crewe

Job summary

Main area: Projects
Grade: NHS AfC: Band 7
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref: 412-CAP-8106430

Employer: Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Leighton Hospital
Town: Crewe
Salary: £49,387 - £56,515 per annum
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 01/08/2026 23:59
Interview date: 14/08/2026

PMO Lead - Transformation Pathfinder Scheme

NHS AfC: Band 7

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The PMO Lead will lead the Transformation Programme Management Office (PMO) for the Transformation Pathfinder Scheme, ensuring effective planning, governance, delivery, monitoring and evaluation throughout the project lifecycle.

Key responsibilities include:

Leading the planning, coordination and delivery of programme activities, ensuring milestones, benefits, quality standards and objectives are achieved.
Establishing and managing robust project governance, reporting, risk, issue and change control processes.
Developing and maintaining project plans, documentation, reporting systems and audit trails.
Monitoring programme performance, managing dependencies and interdependencies, and implementing corrective actions where required.
Producing high-quality reports, presentations and assurance updates for Trust executives, programme boards and external stakeholders.
Building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including Trust leaders, NHS England, DHSC, the New Hospital Programme, ICB partners, suppliers and national programme teams.
Supporting the development of business cases, programme submissions, procurement documentation and stakeholder responses.
Facilitating effective communication across programme workstreams, ensuring stakeholders are informed and engaged.
Managing governance meetings, tracking actions and supporting timely decision-making.
Analysing complex information, identifying solutions to challenges and making recommendations to support programme delivery.
Ensuring adherence to best practice project and programme management methodologies.
Leading the PMO administrative function, including onboarding professional advisors and supporting recruitment activities.
Managing the PMO revenue budget and ensuring compliance with governance, financial, legal and regulatory requirements.
Providing leadership, coaching and development support to staff, including recruitment, appraisals, performance management and training.

The successful candidate will be a highly organised project professional with excellent stakeholder management, communication and leadership skills, capable of driving complex transformation programmes in a fast-paced healthcare environment.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

Educated to Graduate Level or equivalent level of experience.
Demonstrable skill in understanding, analysing and communicating complex information in an accessible manner.
Recognised project Management qualification i.e APM, Prince 2

Desirable criteria

Experience of NHS regulatory processes, governance and strategic programme reporting

Skills

Essential criteria

Track record of effective engagement and partnership working with internal stakeholders
Ability to prioritise own work, across the programme, liaising with other staff & teams.
Team player, able to motivate, lead and inspire the team
Flexible and resilient approach, able to work under pressure to meet deadlines
Plan projects, including liaison with contractors, suppliers and Trust staff.
Complete projects on time, within budget and to required standards.

Desirable criteria

Knowledge of construction contracts such as NEC or JCT.
Manage Contractors / professional advisors on site and chair meeting as necessary

Values

Essential criteria

A recognition of the importance of showing respect, dignity and compassion to patients and colleagues
A listening, learning and leading approach. A commitment to work together to create the best outcomes
Must demonstrate the Trust’s values around both raising concerns at work, and how to treat others who raise concerns5

Key Messages

We are a forces-friendly employers.

Candidates should ensure that all submissions and interactions reflect the candidate’s own skills, experience, and understanding. Any use of AI that compromises the integrity, fairness, or authenticity of the recruitment process may result in disqualification from consideration, withdrawal of offer, or dismissal if this these circumstances come to light post hire.

Candidates that require sponsorship to work in the UK are strongly advised to check the Government website for up-to-date information about whether the role they are applying for (incl. offered salary) is eligible.

Please let us know if you require an adjustment to our recruitment process and we'll be happy to discuss this with you.

We actively promote flexible working so please discuss any requirements you may have with us.

Secondments will be considered for fixed term positions when both parties agree. Candidates should seek approval from their current line manager before application.

· All correspondence will be sent via the email address you have registered as your TRAC account. Selection is based on the Trust's values, and the criteria outlined in the Job Description for the role.

· Appointments are subject to a 6-month probationary period. LED Doctors are subject to a 3-month probationary period.

· You are required to pay for a DBS disclosure where the post requires one, and we encourage applicants to join and remain registered with the DBS update service.

· We do not reimburse travel to interview expenses.

· Some posts may have implications on existing NHS Pension Scheme arrangements. For further information please visit the NHS Pensions Agency website: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-pensions