Job overview

Head of Planned Care Transformation

Are you a visionary leader with a passion for driving transformational change in healthcare? Do you thrive in complex environments where innovation, collaboration, and strategic thinking are key to delivering outstanding patient care?

We are seeking an exceptional individual to lead the transformation of our Planned Care services. You will spearhead high-impact initiatives to redesign elective care pathways, reduce waiting times, and improve patient outcomes across acute hospital services.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead large-scale transformation programmes to improve efficiency, quality, and sustainability of planned care.
• Collaborate with clinical, operational, and executive teams to deliver innovative solutions aligned with national targets, including RTT standards.
• Use data-driven insights and rapid improvement workshops to boost productivity and performance.
• Manage programme budgets and ensure delivery of benefits on time and within scope.
• Act as a strategic partner to the Executive Team and Director of Transformation.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience in leading complex transformation programmes within healthcare or similarly regulated environments.
• Strong understanding of elective care pathways and performance improvement.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to problem-solving and innovation.

Proposed Interview Date: 17th December 2025

Main duties of the job

As Head of Planned Care Transformation, you will lead strategic and operational initiatives to improve the efficiency, quality, and sustainability of planned care services across the Trust. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement transformation strategies aligned with national and local priorities, ensuring delivery against key performance targets such as RTT and cancer waiting times.
• Programme Delivery: Lead complex, cross-functional transformation programmes across outpatient services, elective surgery, diagnostics, and day-case procedures.
• Team Management: Line manage and develop a high-performing transformation team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with clinical leaders, operational teams, and external partners across the Integrated Care System to deliver integrated care pathways.
• Performance & Governance: Oversee programme governance, reporting, and benefit realisation, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to a high standard.
• Change Management: Drive cultural and operational change, supporting staff through transitions and embedding new ways of working.
• Financial Oversight: Manage programme budgets and resources effectively, ensuring value for money and alignment with the Trust’s financial goals.

This is a high-impact leadership role requiring strategic vision, operational expertise, and a passion for improving patient care.

Working for our organisation

Croydon Health Services NHS Trust provide hospital and community services from a number of community and specialist clinics throughout Croydon. The Trust was formed on 1st August 2010 through the integration of Croydon Community Health Services and Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust. Around 4,100 staff provide services for a population of over 360,000 people who are relatively young with a high level of ethnic diversity.

Our main hospital site, Croydon University Hospital is one of the busiest in London. We're also leading the way in providing more healthcare outside hospitals at clinics, specialist centres and in people's homes. Our experienced district nursing teams, Allied Health Professionals and community matrons look after people of all ages across Croydon and our Children's Hospital at Home cares for children with long-term conditions without them having to come to hospital.

Across the NHS everyone is working hard to meet growing demand and we're no exception. But with the right people on board, we are rising to this challenge, putting our people in the driving seat, encouraging innovation and transforming our services to give local people the quality of care they deserve. Croydon Health Services puts a great deal of importance on education and training throughout the careers of all of our staff. As well as offering access to a range of core skills training and professional development.