Visa sponsorship Home Office sponsor register · Skilled Worker route

This role is listed by an employer that holds a live Home Office sponsor licence on the Skilled Worker route.

Salary for this role£57,528 – £64,750 a year

Health and Care route minimum£25,000 a year

Pay basisNational pay scales (NHS bands)

NHS roles fall under the Health and Care Worker route. Salaries set by national pay scales (NHS bands) at or above the relevant band rate typically meet the occupation's requirement.

Closest occupation match: SOC 2440, Business and financial project management professionals. Home Office going rate for this occupation: £56,500 a year.

Individual eligibility depends on personal circumstances. These figures are public reference information, not advice or a verdict on this job.

Role description

Job summary

Health Innovation Wessex (HIW) is pleased to offer an opportunity to join one of England's leading health innovation organisations as programme manager - innovation adoption at a pivotal moment for the NHS, life sciences sector and the wider health and care system.

This is a 23-month secondment / fixed-term vacancy.

Main duties of the job

We are seeking an experienced programme manager with a track record of delivering success in complex and dynamic environments.

You will be a credible team member who combines strong programme delivery expertise with a passion for innovation, transformation and partnership working.

You will bring:

Programme delivery experience within health, life sciences, research, innovation, public sector or similarly complex environments.
An understanding of the strategic challenges and opportunities facing the NHS, including productivity, prevention, digital transformation, AI adoption and population health.
Experience of leading programmes, transformation and performance improvement.
A high level of partnership-building and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively across organisational and sector boundaries.
Experience of working in high-performing, inclusive and values-driven teams.
High level communication, analytical and decision-making capabilities.
A genuine commitment to improving outcomes for patients, populations and communities.

Experience within innovation, life sciences, research translation, healthcare transformation or economic development would be particularly advantageous.

About us

At Health Innovation Wessex, you will have the opportunity to opportunity to support delivery of innovative solutions to some of the most important challenges facing health and care today while helping shape the future of innovation across the NHS.

You will join a highly regarded organisation with a national reputation for collaboration, delivery and impact.

Health Innovation Wessex is a company limited by guarantee, owned by the NHS and University Members with staff hosted by University Hospital Southampton.

We offer:

A unique opportunity to work at the forefront of health innovation and healthcare transformation.
Flexible and hybrid working arrangements - provides for a minimum of 2 days in office or out visiting partners/stakeholders and home working aligned to the role and business needs.
Commitment to professional development, leadership growth and continuous learning.
A collaborative, ambitious and supportive culture.
An organisation committed to inclusion, diversity and wellbeing. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to thrive.
Modern office facilities at Southampton Science Park in Chilworth, one of the UK's leading centres for science, technology and innovation.

Date posted

26 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£57,528 to £64,750 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

23 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

188-HS071026

Job locations

Southampton Science Park Chilworth

Southampton

SO16 7NP

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Opportunity

You will lead one or more innovation adoption programmes, putting in place appropriate programme and project collaborative arrangements, actively seeking appropriate funding, and promoting dissemination of the Health Innovation Wessex programmes.

The programmes will change as the Health Innovation Wessexs portfolio of programmes evolve throughout the year.

What You'll Be Responsible For

Performance and outcomes of Innovation Adoption projects to deliver Health Innovation Wessex programmes.
Proactively managing Innovation Adoption Project(s) to deliver the Health Innovation Wessex overarching Innovation Adoption Programme
Identifying and evaluating the impact of innovative service developments and technology solutions on patient outcomes and NHS services.
Delivering Innovation Adoption project(s) through the development and management of project plans to ensure effective realisation of innovation adoption programme outcomes

Join Us

This is an exceptional opportunity for a programme manager who wants to make a lasting difference to health outcomes, healthcare transformation and economic growth.

If you are passionate about innovation, inspired by the future of the NHS and excited by the opportunity to shape the next chapter of Health Innovation Wessex, we would love to hear from you.

Together, we can accelerate innovation, improve lives and create a healthier future for Wessex and beyond.

Person Specification

Qualifications / training required

Essential

Professionally qualified or a relevant degree, plus project management experience or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline
A Master's degree level or equivalent postgraduate qualification in relevant discipline or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline
Knowledge of the specialist work practices and/ or professional guidelines relevant to the Health Innovation Wessex area
Knowledge and experience of the NHS and local health and social service functions

Desirable

Project Management training (e.g. PRINCE II)
Management experience

Previous or relevant experience necessary

Essential

Programme and Project management experience in an NHS or care service setting or equivalent experience in a relevant setting
Experience of integrated working across professional boundaries and involving several organisations
Experience of organising/ managing events

Desirable

Effective leadership and team building skills
Experience of quality improvement projects and/or methodology
Experience in evaluating projects

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.