Job summary
- Main area
- Head of PMO
- Grade
- Band 8c
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Job share
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 278-HPMO-0825-SBW
- Employer
- South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Nexus House - SECAmb HQ
- Town
- Crawley
- Salary
- £74,290 - £85,601 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 22/08/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Head of PMO
Band 8c
South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) has a vision to ‘support our staff to provide a caring, high quality and efficient urgent and emergency care service to our communities’. We are rated ‘Good’ for care by the Care Quality Commission and while the other areas under their most recent report require improvement, our aim is to continually improve and to reach outstanding across all areas of the Trust.
Our 4,000+ workforce provide services to 4.9m people across Kent, Surrey, Sussex and North East Hampshire. We handle over 1 million calls to 999 and 1 million calls to NHS 111 every year. More information regarding our services and locations can be found on our website.
Job overview
Organisation: South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
Role: Head of PMO
Salary: 8C
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Deadline: 24th August
At South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) we are proud to provide emergency medical services to Kent, Surrey, and Sussex, as well as parts of North East Hampshire. We are an ever-evolving Ambulance Service, and our work environment is highly rewarding. We respond to 999 calls from the public, urgent calls from healthcare professionals and provide NHS 111 services across four Integrated Care Systems.
We have an extremely exciting opportunity to join our Trust as Head of PMO. We are seeking an exceptional Head of PMO to lead the development and oversight of our newly established Programme Management Office (PMO). This is a crucial leadership role within the Strategy and Transformation Directorate, responsible for ensuring effective programme governance, resource allocation, and delivery of strategic priorities. This role will provide strategic leadership across three core portfolio areas, which include:
- Delivering High Quality Care
- Ensuring Our People Enjoy Working at SECAmb
- Being a Sustainable Partner
The successful postholder will manage our PMO and bring significant experience of establishing and embedding robust PMO frameworks. They will provide expert guidance programme governance, risk management, benefits realisation, and be comfortable engaging with senior and executive directors.
In return, you could be part of an upward journey, in which there is both support and permission to ensure we establish an outstanding PMO while fostering a positive working environment where staff can flourish.
Please note: SECAmb have partnered with Hunter Healthcare for the recruitment of this role and all enquiries should be directed to Hunter Healthcare via the contact details below.
Main duties of the job
About the Role
This is a senior leadership position within the Strategy & Transformation Directorate, responsible for ensuring effective programme governance, resource allocation, and delivery of strategic priorities. The post-holder will:
- Establish and embed robust PMO frameworks, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives.
- Oversee portfolio performance reporting at senior and executive levels.
- Provide expert guidance on programme governance, risk management, and benefits realisation.
- Lead and develop a high-performing team of Portfolio and Programme Managers to ensure quality programme delivery.
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to drive transformation across operational, clinical, and support services.
Working for our organisation
- Option to join NHS pension scheme
- A minimum 27 days' holiday each year, increasing after 5 years’ service.
- Personal and professional development and training opportunities.
- Salary Sacrifice schemes for cars or push bikes.
- Access to occupational health and counselling services.
- Award winning wellbeing hub
- Back up buddy App
- Access to NHS discounts, offering NHS employees a range of money-saving deals
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
About You
The successful candidate will have significant experience in PMO leadership, preferably within the NHS or a complex public sector organisation. You will bring:
- Proven expertise in programme management, portfolio governance, and transformation.
- Strong leadership and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
- Knowledge of NHS governance structures and experience in healthcare improvement programmes.
- A strategic and analytical approach, with the ability to oversee multiple complex programmes.
- Relevant professional qualifications in portfolio and programme management (e.g., MSP, PRINCE2).
This is a unique opportunity to shape and lead a newly established PMO, playing a key role in delivering SECAmb’s strategy and driving transformation across the Trust.
SECAmb is committed to upholding its core values of Kindness, Courage, and Integrity, fostering a positive and inclusive working environment where staff are supported to deliver the best possible care to our communities.
Person specification
Education/ Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Programme/Project Management qualification or equivalent experience (e.g., MSP, PRINCE2).
- Master’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
- Advanced professional certifications in portfolio management.
- Evidence of continuous professional development.
Desirable criteria
- • Formal management qualification in leadership or business management.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Significant experience implementing programme and project management methodologies, delivering complex programmes, and leading multi-disciplinary teams.
- Proven track record of managing large-scale, multi-programme initiatives, including full lifecycle management of high-profile projects.
- Senior management experience within a complex programme/project environment, including line management of professional staff.
- Demonstrated ability to manage highly complex and politically sensitive information in diverse organisational contexts.
- Experience in strategic planning, governance, and embedding change management processes.
Desirable criteria
- Experience managing programmes in NHS or similar complex public-sector environments.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
- Advanced leadership and team management skills, with a focus on achieving measurable outcomes.
- Strategic thinking and decision-making to address highly complex and contentious issues.
- Advanced analytical skills to assess complex data, interdependencies, and risks, and develop evidence-based recommendations.
- Proven ability to plan and adapt complex activities in rapidly changing circumstances.
- Exceptional communication and negotiation skills to influence senior stakeholders and present complex or sensitive information effectively.
- Expertise in programme governance, resource allocation, and business case development.
- Skilled in managing relationships with diverse stakeholders, including NHS England, ICBs, partner providers, and clinical/academic staff.
- Proficiency in IT tools, including MS Office and project management software.
- Demonstrates knowledge of equality, diversity, and inclusion, embedding these principles into programme delivery.
Desirable criteria
- Detailed understanding of the NHS regulatory landscape.
- Advanced problem-solving skills in complex healthcare settings.
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
- Resilient, self-motivated, and adaptable to changing demands.
- Collaborative and approachable, with strong stakeholder management skills.
- Compassionate and inclusive leader who fosters collaboration, trust, and team development, acting as a role model for Trust and NHS values.
- Able to work under pressure and meet challenging deadlines.
Applicant requirements
This post will require a submission for Disclosure to be made to check for any unspent criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Finn McNulty
- Job title
- Hunter Healthcare
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07966 006091.
- Additional information
Our Trust recognises the importance of promoting equality and eliminating discrimination in all aspects of our operations, from recruitment and employment practices to patient care and service delivery. We especially welcome applications from candidates from the global majority, LGBTQ+ community, or those with lived experience of a disability, to strengthen the diversity of our Board so that it is representative of our team and the local population we serve.
For a confidential conversation about this opportunity, please contact Finn McNulty at Hunter Healthcare, by emailing [email protected] or by calling 07966 006091.
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