Vaccine & Immunisation Programme Operations Lead


Company:	NHS Jobs
Salary:	£60,494 to £70,566 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	London (Canary Wharf), E14 4PU
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	21 Sept 2026
Closing date:	5 Oct 2026

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Summary

The Vaccine & Immunisation Programme Operations Lead will: Lead the operational delivery of a portfolio of vaccine and immunisation programmes, ensuring the effective procurement, supply, distribution and management of vaccines to support national immunisation objectives and maintain continuity of supply. Coordinate programme delivery across a complex matrix of Commercial, Finance, Digital, Analytical, Public Health and Policy functions, developing delivery plans, managing competing priorities, monitoring performance, and ensuring robust governance and assurance arrangements. Support vaccine procurement and contract delivery by working closely with commercial teams, manufacturers and suppliers to maintain supply resilience, optimise stock management, minimise wastage, and lead responses to shortages, recalls and other supply chain incidents. Prepare business cases, investment proposals and senior briefings, supporting governance processes and securing organisational, departmental and ministerial approvals where required, while providing assurance and advice to senior leaders and programme sponsors. Build strong relationships across UKHSA, DHSC, the NHS, devolved administrations, suppliers and external partners, driving collaboration, continuous improvement, value for money and supply chain resilience, while leading and developing staff through effective line management and fostering an inclusive, high-performing team culture. Essential Criteria Postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline (e.g. public health, public policy, management, economics or related field) or significant equivalent experience demonstrating advanced analytical capability, structured problem solving and leadership of complex programmes. Demonstrable experience of working in complex programme, operational or delivery environments, including pharmaceutical, health, supply chain or other large-scale public service settings. Proven experience of managing complex operations or programmes, including planning, monitoring and delivering projects/workstreams to time, cost and quality requirements. Experience of project and programme management, including defining scope, managing interdependencies and delivering agreed objectives. Ability to mitigate risks, optimise processes and achieve timely, cost-effective outcomes aligned with organisational objectives. Ability to work autonomously, make decisions and lead projects at middle-management level using sound judgement. Ability to build and sustain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including senior leaders, partners and suppliers, and to navigate complex stakeholder environments. Desirable Criteria Experience of line management. Ability to draft robust and evidence-based business cases. Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor and develop high-performing teams. Experience of fostering collaborative and supportive working environments. Ability to provide clear direction, empower team members and ensure accountability for the delivery of objectives. Selection Process Details This vacancy is using SuccessProfiles andwill assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills. Stage 1: Application &Sift Success Profiles - GOV.UK You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 7essentialcriteria,and this will be in the form ofa: Application form(Employer/ Activity history section on the application) 500 wordsupporting statement. This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria. You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please beadvisedyou will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV. HealthjobsUK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 500words. We will not consider any words over 500words. Longlisting: In the event ofa large number ofapplications we will longlist into 3 piles of: Meets all essential criteria Meets some essential criteria Meets no essential criteria If used, the pile(s) Meets all essential criteria willproceedto shortlisting. Shortlisting: In the event ofa large number ofapplications wemay conductan initialsift, on the lead criteria of: Demonstrable experience of working in complex programme, operational or delivery environments, including pharmaceutical, health, supply chain or other large-scale public service settings. Proven experience of managing complex operations or programmes, including planning, monitoring and delivering projects/workstreams to time, cost and quality requirements. Experience of project and programme management, including defining scope, managing interdependencies and delivering agreed objectives. Desirable criteria maybeusedin the event ofa large number ofapplications or largeamountof successful candidates. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment. Feedback will not be provided at this stage. Stage 2:Interview Success profilesSuccess Profiles - GOV.UK You will be invited to a singleface to faceinterview at UKHSA, 10 South Colonnade,Canary Wharf,London,E14 4PU . If face to face interviewsareplanned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview. Behaviours and Technical skills will be tested at interview You will be required to deliver a 5-minute presentation titled Delivering Project Impact, based on a project you worked on that delivered significant impact. Please explain: The impact the project achieved Your specific role in driving the project forward The actions and decisions you took How you overcame any challenges along the way. The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be: Managing a Quality service(Lead behaviour) Communicating and Influencing Making Effective Decisions Interview dates areto be confirmed. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Location This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our core HQ in London (Canary Wharf) . We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month)working at our office. Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport links and benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC). Security Clearance Level Requirement Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard Eligibility Criteria External: Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants). Salary Information If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

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