Senior Programme Manager – Cancer & Diagnostics | University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust


Company:	University Hospitals of Leicester
Salary:	£79,504 - £91,609 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

Senior Programme Manager – Cancer & Diagnostics

Band 8C

East Midlands Cancer Alliance (EMCA)

Location:County Hall, Leicester (Hybrid Working)

Responsible to:Associate Director for Programmes

Lead the transformation of cancer and diagnostic services across the East Midlands

Do you have the vision,leadershipand programme managementexpertiseto drive large-scale transformation across complex healthcare systems?

The East Midlands Cancer Alliance (EMCA) is seeking an exceptionalSenior Programme Manager – Cancer & Diagnosticsto lead some of the region's most significant transformation programmes. This role sits at the forefront of delivering the ambitions of the NHS 10-Year Cancer Plan, improving early diagnosis, reducing waitingtimesand transforming diagnostic services for more than five million people across the East Midlands.

Working with NHS England, Integrated Care Boards, Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs), providerTrustsand clinical leaders, you will provide strategic leadership across cancer performance,diagnosticsand service redesign

As a Senior Programme Manager, you will lead a portfolio of complex, multi-organisational programmes that improve cancer services and diagnostic pathways across the East Midlands.

You'llwork at a senior system level, influencing strategic direction, translating national policy into regionaldeliveryand ensuring programmes achieve measurable improvements in patient outcomes, operationalperformanceand service sustainability.

Whatyou'lldo

You'llprovide strategic leadership by:

• Leading the development and delivery of regional cancer and diagnostics transformation programmes.

• Delivering the Operational Performance and Improvement Strategy across the East Midlands.

• Translating national cancer and diagnostics policy into deliverable regional programmes.

• Leading improvement of Cancer Waiting Times, including the Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS) and 62-day performance.

Lead the future of diagnostics

A significant element of this role is leading the transformation of diagnostic services across the region.

You'llprovide strategic oversight of Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) and support the development of modern, efficient diagnostic pathways by:

• Leading system-wide Community Diagnostic Centre programmes.

• Improving diagnostic capacity,utilisationand productivity.

• Developing patient-centred diagnostic pathways across community and acute settings.

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 an experienced senior programme leader who can confidently influence at executive level and deliver complex transformation across healthcare systems.

You'llhave:

• AMaster'sdegree (or equivalent experience), with evidence of continuing professional development. Further specialist qualifications at doctoral level are desirable.

• Extensive experience leading complex transformation programmes within the NHS or similarly complex organisations.

• Strong understanding of cancer services,diagnosticsand operational performance improvement.

• Significant experiencedeveloping long-term strategic plans and translating policy into delivery.

• Outstanding leadership, communication,negotiationand influencing skills.

• Experience managing substantial budgets,governanceand programme assurance.

• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex information and use data to drive improvement.

• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and building partnerships across organisational boundaries.

Why join the East Midlands Cancer Alliance?

This is a unique opportunity to influence the future of cancer and diagnostic services across an entire region.

You'llwork alongside senior NHS leaders and clinical experts to:

• Deliver the ambitions of the NHS 10-Year Cancer Plan.

• Improve cancer outcomes through earlier diagnosis.

• Shape the future of Community Diagnostic Centres.

• Introduce innovative diagnostic technologies and AI-enabled solutions.

• Improve patient access,experienceand operational performance.

• Lead programmes with genuine national significance.

We offer:

• Hybrid and flexible working.

• NHS Pension Scheme.

• Generous annual leave entitlement.

• Leadership development and continuing professional development opportunities.

• A collaborative, ambitious and supportive working environment.

Working arrangements

The role is based at County Hall, Leicester, with hybrid working available. Regular travel across the East Midlands isrequired, including attendance at provider Trusts, Community Diagnostic Centres, Integrated CareBoardsand regional meetings. The successful candidate will also work on-site within provider organisations whenrequiredto support pathway improvement, operational performance recovery, serviceredesignand diagnostic transformation.

Make a lasting difference

Every programme you lead will contribute to earlier cancer diagnosis, shorter waiting times, more efficient diagnosticservicesand better outcomes for thousands of patients across the East Midlands.

Ifyou'reready to lead strategic transformation at scale and shape the future of cancer and diagnostics across the NHS,we'dlove to hear from you.

Join the East Midlands Cancer Alliance and help deliver the next generation of cancer and diagnostic services across the East Midlands.

This advert closes on Monday 28 Sep 2026

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