boroughjobsUK public-sector jobs, mapped to your postcode Post a job
Plymouth

UEC Programme DirectorNHS

Plymouth, PL6 8DH Fixed-Term £112,782 to £129,783
Posted 11 September 2026 Closing date 18 September 2026
Plymouth Rail Station (3.0 miles, direct) Buckfastleigh (South Devon Railway) (15.8 miles, direct) Bus Depot (37.8 miles, direct)

Job summary

We are seeking an exceptional and inspiring leader to join University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust as ourUEC Programme Directoron a 12 month FTC.

Working alongside Executive colleagues and system partners, you will lead delivery of our Urgent and Emergency Care Recovery Programme, driving improvements in patient flow, emergency care performance, discharge, admission avoidance and the elimination of corridor care.

This is a unique opportunity to shape strategic change at scale, influencing services across the Trust and wider health and care system to improve outcomes and experiences for patients.

We are looking for a credible, collaborative and delivery-focused leader with a proven track record of leading complex transformation programmes and achieving sustainable results.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

The UEC Programme Director will provide strategic leadership for the Trust's Urgent and Emergency Care Recovery Programme, ensuring delivery of recovery objectives through effective programme management, organisational influence and system-wide collaboration.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the postholder will lead the Trust-wide UEC Recovery Programme, overseeing seven interconnected workstreams covering front-door standards, patient flow, ward processes, discharge, intermediate care, admission avoidance, Emergency Department performance and demand reduction.

Working closely with Executive Directors, Divisional Leadership Teams and system partners, the postholder will provide visible leadership across organisational boundaries, bringing together operational, clinical and transformation teams to deliver measurable improvements in patient safety, patient experience, access standards, flow, productivity and financial sustainability.

The role will drive delivery of priority improvement programmes, including the elimination of corridor care, reduction in long waits, improved ambulance handovers, enhanced discharge productivity and reduced avoidable admissions. The postholder will operate in a complex and politically sensitive environment, balancing immediate operational pressures with longer-term transformation objectives to support sustained UEC recovery and improved outcomes for patients.

Job description

1. Strategic Programme Leadership a) Provide executive leadership for the Trust's Urgent and Emergency Care Recovery Programme, ensuring delivery of agreed strategic, operational, quality, workforce and financial objectives across all recovery workstreams. b) Act as the Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) for designated elements of the UEC Recovery Programme, ensuring delivery of agreed outcomes, benefits and performance trajectories. c) Develop, maintain and oversee a single integrated recovery programme, ensuring clear alignment between operational priorities, service transformation, organisational objectives and system-wide programmes. d) Identify, assess and resolve strategic barriers to delivery, influencing decision-making at Executive, Board and system level to ensure programme success. 2. Programme Delivery and Recovery Improvement a) Lead the delivery of the Trust's programme to eliminate corridor care and improve urgent and emergency care flow, ensuring sustainable improvement in patient safety, patient experience and operational performance. b) Ensure delivery of agreed recovery trajectories relating to Emergency Department performance, ambulance handovers, admission avoidance, patient flow, discharge performance and length of stay. c) Hold Executive Leads, Divisional Directors, Clinical Leaders and Workstream Leads accountable for the delivery of agreed milestones, outcomes and benefits. d) Challenge, influence and support senior leaders to remove barriers to delivery and accelerate recovery where performance falls below agreed trajectories.

For further information please see attached job description

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care.

The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY.

If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process, please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you into contact with the recruitment team.

We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case.

We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date.

If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Apply / view full listing →
More jobs in Plymouth

Patient Access ManagerNHS

Beacon Medical Group
Plymouth, PL7 1AD Permanent £19.03 More in Plymouth

Job summary Please ensure that your application is entirely your own original work. Applications found to be generated by artificial intelligence (AI) will not be considered. Are you an experienced operational leader looking to make a real impact in primary care? Beacon Medical Group is seeking a…

Pharmacy TechnicianNHS

Fuller and Forbes Partnership
Plymouth, PL5 2ST Permanent £33,000 More in Plymouth

Job summary Gateshead Healthcare is looking for a registered Pharmacy Technician to join our growing pharmacy team. This is a site-based role at our Ernesettle Medical Centre (PL5 2ST) Site in Plymouth, working as part of our Plymouth-based team to support a Gateshead GP practice. Although the team…

Specialist Pharmacist / Lead Pharmacy Technician - HomecareNHS

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Plymouth, PL6 8DH Permanent £49,387 to £56,515 More in Plymouth

Job summary Specialist Pharmacist / Lead Pharmacy Technician - Homecare (7) Are you an experienced Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician ready to lead and transform Homecare Medicines Services within one of the South West's largest teaching hospitals? University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is seeking…