Project Improvement Manager | University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust


Company:	University Hospitals of Leicester
Salary:	£49,387 - £56,515 per annum
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Leicester, LE3 8RA
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	14 Sept 2026
Closing date:	16 Oct 2026

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Summary

Project Improvement Manager – Band 7

East Midlands Cancer Alliance (EMCA)

Location:County Hall, Leicester (Hybrid Working)

Band:7

Responsible to:Programme Manager

Lead transformational change across cancer services in the East Midlands

Do you have a passion for service improvement, programme delivery and making a real difference to patient outcomes?

The East Midlands Cancer Alliance (EMCA) is looking for an experienced and motivatedProject Improvement Managerto lead the delivery of high-profile cancer improvement programmes across the region.

This is an exciting opportunity to work across one of the largest cancer systems in England, collaborating with NHS provider Trusts, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), clinical leaders and regional partners to improve cancer pathways, deliver national standards and transform services for patients

Vacancy may close early if sufficient applications received

As a Project Improvement Manager, you will lead complex pathway improvement projects frominceptionthrough to delivery, supporting providers to improve cancer performance and deliver sustainable change.

Working as part of the East Midlands Cancer Alliance Programme Team, you will:

• Lead cancer pathway improvement programmes across multiple organisations.

• Support providers to improve Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS), 28-dayand treatment performance.

• Undertake pathway reviews, operationaldiagnosticsand process mapping.

• Develop project plans, managerisksand provide programme assurance.

• Deliver improvement workshops andfacilitatestakeholder engagement.

• Analyse performance data toidentifyopportunities for improvement.

• Support implementation of innovative diagnostic and pathway redesign initiatives.

• Work alongside clinical leaders to reduce unwarranted variation and improve patient outcomes.

Whatyou'llbe working on

The role spans a wide portfolio of cancer improvement programmes including:

• Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS) improvement

• Early Diagnosis and Diagnostic Pathways

• Living With and Beyond Cancer

• Personalised Care

• Operational Performance Recovery

• Clinical Pathway Redesign

• Expert Clinical Advisory Groups (ECAGs)

• Programme Governance and Benefits Realisation.

Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).

We have four primary goals:

• high-quality care for all,

• being a great place to work,

• partnerships for impact, and

• research and education excellence

And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.

Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:

• we are compassionate,

• we are proud,

• we are inclusive, and

• we are one team

This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.

About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:

https://www.uhleicester.nhs.uk

About you

We'relooking for someone who can combine project managementexpertisewith excellent stakeholder engagement skills.

You'llbring:

• Degree-level education or equivalent experience.

• Experience of leading service improvement or transformation projects.

• Excellent programme and project management skills.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Experience working with complex datasets and performance information.

• Outstanding communication,negotiationand influencing skills.

• The ability to build effective relationships across organisational boundaries.

• A proactive, organised and solutions-focused approach.

Experience within the NHS or healthcare improvement is highly desirable.

Why join the East Midlands Cancer Alliance?

At EMCAyou'llhelp shape the future of cancer care across the East Midlands, working alongside nationally recognised clinical leaders and improvement teams.

We offer:

• A challenging and rewarding leadership role

• Opportunities to influence regional and national cancer improvement

• Flexible hybrid working

• NHS Pension Scheme

• Excellent annual leave entitlement

• Learning and development opportunities

• A collaborative and supportive team environment

Every improvement you deliver has the potential to improve outcomes for thousands of patients across the region.

Working arrangements

The role is based at County Hall, Leicester, with hybrid working available. Regular travel throughout the East Midlands isrequired, including attendance at provider Trusts, Integrated CareBoardsand regional meetings. The successful candidate must be able to travel independently across the region.

Join us

Ifyou'rean experienced improvement professional who enjoys leading change, influencing across complex systems and delivering measurable improvements,we'dlove to hear from you.

Together,we'lltransform cancer services and improve outcomes for patients across the East Midlands.

This advert closes on Monday 28 Sep 2026

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