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United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
About
The United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (ULTH) is one of the largest trusts in the country. Through four main hospitals we provide a comprehensive range of hospital-based medical, surgical, paediatric, obstetric and gynaecological services to the 700,000 people of Lincolnshire.
We provide a wide range of healthcare services delivered by 8,600 highly trained staff and volunteers. Our services cost over £400m each year to provide and we invest around £18m each year in improving our clinical services by replacing and upgrading our medical equipment, modernising our estate and facilities and improving our information and technology infrastructure. In an average year, we treat more than 180,000 A&E patients, nearly half a million outpatients and almost 100,000 inpatients.
Contact
- Address
- Recruitment Service
- Lincoln County Hospital
- Greetwell Road
- Lincoln
- Lincolnshire
- LN2 5QY
- Contact Number
- (01522) 597736
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Head of Strategy, Planning & QI - Band 8B
Accepting applications until: 20-Sep-2026 23:59
Vacancy status: Open
Accepting applications until: 20-Sep-2026 23:59
Key details
Location
- Site
- United Lincolnshire Hospitals
- Address
- Greetwell Road Lincoln County Hospital
- Town
- Lincoln
- Postcode
- LN2 5QY
- Major / Minor Region
- Lincolnshire
Contract type & working pattern
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Salary
- Salary
- £66,582 - £77,368 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Grade
- (NHS AfC: Band 8b)
Specialty
- Main area
- Corporate
We recognise that outstanding care can only be delivered through our people. We want to attract people who can help us deliver our vision. We want in return to help people achieve what they wish in their careers in the NHS at ULTH.
We are always keen to welcome highly skilled, committed and compassionate individuals to our hospitals – people who put patients at the heart of everything they do and are ready to help us achieve our vision.
Our Group values guide everything we do. They are:
· Compassionate - We care about people - Compassionate is the act of showing empathy, kindness, and respect to others, recognising their individual needs and circumstances. It involves listening, understanding, and supporting others in a way that makes them feel valued, safe, and cared for.
· Collaborative - We work together as a team - Collaborative is working inclusively and respectfully with others to achieve shared goals. It involves open communication, valuing diverse perspectives, and building trust to create a supportive and effective team environment.
· Innovative - We strive to improve - Innovative is the process of exploring new ideas, approaches, and technologies to improve care, services, and working practices. It involves creativity, curiosity, and a willingness to take risks in a safe and supportive environment.
If you believe in them too, then you are ready to join the ULTH team.
We’ve taken great pride in building working environments where staff always feel valued, cared for and part of a team. Without doubt this is a challenging yet very rewarding job that is at the centre of health and care in Lincolnshire - making a positive difference to our patients.
Our Trust is situated in the beautiful county of Lincolnshire and is one of the biggest acute hospital trusts in England, serving a population of more than 700,000 people. We provide acute and specialist services to people in Lincolnshire and neighbouring counties. We have an annual income of £710 million (22/23) and we employ nearly 8,600 people.
Our Group Board have recently agreed a new vision statement – “Caring and building a healthier future for all” – stating their ambition for our Trust and the wider group to be among the best.
We also have a five year Integrated Improvement Plan setting out how we will achieve our strategic objectives, for patients, services, people and partners, the last recognising that our future success depends on our ability to ensure the Lincolnshire healthcare system is successful in achieving its ambition to help people live healthier lives and provide care closer to where people live.
Our latest CQC report increased our ratings for being effective and well-led from ‘Requires Improvement’ to ‘Good’. Our rating for caring remained as ‘Good’.
This is in recognition of the huge amount of work that our amazing staff have done to improve the quality of care for our patients in recent years.
We are committed to helping our staff balance their work and home lives and ensure they feel supported, valued and appreciated.
So, what is in it for you?
- Flexible working: Depending on the needs of your role, we will consider requests for flexible and/or part-time working for whatever reason you should need it. We recognise flexible working will not look the same for everyone, because it depends on the nature of the role and the needs of the individual.
Types of flexibility could include:
- Part-time - less than 37.5 hours per week.
- Off-site/remote working - working from home or other sites for part or all the week.
- Compressed hours – usually full-time hours but over fewer days or shifts.
- Staggered hours – having different start and finish times.
- Set shift patterns – to allow for predictability
- NHS Pension: A generous and flexible pension scheme with contributions from us as your employer fully protected against inflation and guaranteed by the government
- Annual Leave: Starting at 27 days a year, rising to 33 days after 10 years plus eight bank holidays (for staff covered by Agenda for Change) For Medical Workforce positions (Consultant and Specialty Doctor), the full-time entitlement commences from 32 days per annum. For all other Medical Workforce positions, the full-time entitlement commences from 27 days per annum.
- Bank working: The chance to work extra hours at enhanced rates and we will pay you weekly too, ideal if your income needs a quick boost.
In addition, there is more.
- Family & Childcare: Including on-site nurseries at Lincoln County Hospital and Pilgrim Hospital Boston, maternity, paternity, adoption & shared parental leave following a set period of employment.
- Health & Wellbeing: including counselling, mental health first aid, physiotherapy, eye tests.
- Learning & Development including Lincolnshire Talent Academy, leadership training, medical education, clinical education, Lincolnshire clinical research
- Financial support and benefits including Cycle2Work, car lease scheme, home electronics. Free on-site parking and free tea and coffee and the ability to save and borrow through your salary.
- Rewards & Recognition including staff awards, long service awards, retirement awards, examples of excellence and staff lottery.
Enjoy a better quality of life in one of the UK’s most welcoming counties. Whether you’re taking the first exciting steps in your career, itching for a new challenge or searching for a better place to raise a family, Lincolnshire welcomes everyone. Discover a range of rewarding health and social care careers in a county that’s friendly, fascinating, affordable and brimming with everything you need to live a happy life.
Job overview
This key leadership role within Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals Group (LCHG) supports the Group Assistant Director of Strategy and Planning in delivering the organisation’s strategic vision, objectives and transformation priorities. The post holder leads the development and delivery of strategic and operational plans across clinical and corporate services, ensuring alignment with Integrated Care System (ICS) priorities, the Joint Forward Plan, financial plans and efficiency requirements.
The role oversees annual planning and assurance processes, working with Executive Directors and senior leaders to ensure effective governance, stakeholder engagement and delivery of robust plans. It provides leadership to Business Partners supporting care groups with strategy, planning and improvement activities.
A key focus is developing organisational improvement capability through Quality Improvement training, coaching and the promotion of best-practice methodologies. The post holder supports delivery of the Integrated Improvement Plan, Outstanding Care Improvement System and wider transformation programmes.
The role also leads the monitoring, reporting and assurance of strategic programmes, ensuring progress is tracked, risks are managed, recovery actions implemented and governance requirements met. Success requires strong partnership working across organisational boundaries, particularly to support delivery of the Lincolnshire System Joint Forward Plan and wider system priorities.
Advert
The Head of Strategy, Planning and Quality Improvement provides strategic leadership for the development and delivery of Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals Group (LCHG) strategy, annual planning processes and quality improvement programmes. The post holder leads the organisation’s contribution to NHS England and system planning, ensuring alignment with national priorities, the Joint Forward Plan, financial requirements and long-term objectives.
The role is responsible for developing, implementing and evaluating operational and strategic plans while strengthening organisational improvement capability. Working with clinical, operational and corporate leaders, the post holder supports improvement, transformation and change programmes that enhance patient outcomes, staff experience and organisational performance.
Key responsibilities include analysing national policy, identifying strategic risks and opportunities, supporting planning and efficiency programmes, and developing system partnerships. The role also leads the Quality Improvement function, overseeing training, coaching and capability development, and promoting improvement methodologies across LCHG.
The post holder ensures robust governance, assurance and performance reporting, monitors delivery and benefits realisation, manages departmental resources and budgets, and supports innovation, organisational learning and continuous improvement to deliver the Group’s vision and system-wide ambitions
Working for our organisation
Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) and United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) have formed a new Group arrangement to improve care across Lincolnshire. This is not a merger; both Trusts retain their statutory names and legal obligations but work together under a single Board and Executive Leadership Team as the Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group (LCHG).
Our values guide everything we do:
- Compassionate – we care about people
- Collaborative - we work together as a team
- Innovative - we strive to improve
If these values resonate with you, you will feel at home here.
We create environments where staff feel supported, appreciated and part of a team. Our vision, “Caring and building a healthier future for all”, reflects our ambition to be among the best.
We support our people to balance work and home life. Flexible working may include remote working, compressed hours, staggered start and finish times or predictable shift patterns. Our benefits package includes a generous NHS Pension Scheme, 27–33 days annual leave, bank work opportunities, family‑friendly policies, wellbeing support, learning and development programmes, financial benefits and staff recognition schemes.
Lincolnshire offers an excellent quality of life with friendly communities, affordable living and beautiful countryside. If you want to make a meaningful difference and grow your career in a forward‑thinking, compassionate organisation, LCHG is the place for you.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Head of Strategy, Planning and Quality Improvement is a senior leadership role responsible for leading the development, coordination and delivery of the Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals Group (LCHG) strategic planning, annual planning and quality improvement agenda. The post holder supports the Associate and Deputy Director of Strategy and Planning to ensure the organisation has a clear strategic direction, aligned operational plans and a strong culture of continuous improvement.
Key responsibilities include leading the development, implementation and evaluation of the Group’s annual operational plans and five-year strategy, ensuring alignment with system priorities, financial plans and national NHS requirements. The role is accountable for monitoring delivery against strategic objectives, tracking benefits realisation, identifying risks and developing recovery actions to support successful implementation.
The post holder will coordinate the Group’s contribution to NHSE planning, working collaboratively with others to develop integrated models of care and deliver the Lincolnshire Joint Forward Plan. They will lead strategic assessment and analysis of national policy, external developments and emerging opportunities, ensuring LCHG remains responsive to changes in the healthcare landscape.The role has responsibility for linking in with the Strategic Business Partner function, ensuring effective support is provided to Care Groups in delivering strategy, planning and improvement priorities. The post holder will also oversee investment planning processes, ensuring business cases and major developments align with strategic objectives and system priorities.
Alongside its responsibilities for strategy and planning, the role provides leadership to the organisation’s Quality Improvement function. This includes oversight of the QI Enabling Plan, leadership of the Quality Improvement Team, development of organisational improvement capability, and promotion of a culture of continuous improvement across LCHG. The post holder will oversee quality improvement methodologies, education, coaching and capability development programmes, helping leaders and teams to deliver sustainable improvements in quality, safety, productivity and patient outcomes.
The Head of Strategy, Planning and Quality Improvement will provide leadership to stakeholders across organisational boundaries, prepare reports and assurance information for governance forums, manage departmental budgets and resources, and support the delivery of sustainable improvements that enhance quality, performance, efficiency and patient outcomes.
ULTH recognises that everyone is different, and values the unique contribution that individual experiences, knowledge and skills make in delivering quality healthcare and becoming a model employer. We are committed to transforming our organisational culture by actively committing to implementing the Trust Single Equality Scheme, and other policies, such as the Dignity in Care policy and the Dignity at Work policy. We will continue to promote equality and challenge discrimination in all service provision, recognising and meeting the needs of the diverse communities we serve. We will strive to provide an environment in which people want to work and to be a model employer leading in good employment practice.
We are a People Promise exemplar site, for more information on the NHS People Promise - NHS England » Our NHS People Promise
Please note that we do not accept CVs.
Due to the high volume of applications we receive, ULTH reserves the right to close this advert prior to the closing date.
We welcome applications from the UK Armed Forces Community. On the application form please tick “Member of the Armed Forces Community” if the below applies to you.
You are:
- A Service Leaver
- A Veteran
- A Military Reserve
- A Cadet Force Adult Volunteer
- Partner/Spouse of those Serving NB: partners/spouses are only eligible whilst their partner is serving in the Armed Forces
All new employees will be subject to a charge for the DBS check that is required for the post. The Disclosure & Barring Service application form (formerly CRB) will be provided by ULTH and the fee will be deducted from your salary over a 3 month period.
Candidates are advised to read the attached guidance on using AI technology. When you complete your application, you are required to declare that the information in your application form is true and complete.
Please note, for applicants with previous NHS service: If successful at interview, we will initiate an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). This retrieves key data from your current or previous NHS employer to support onboarding, including competency status, Continuous Service Dates (CSD), and annual leave entitlement.
Applicant requirements
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Educated to Masters level or equivalent experience
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Significant role related and personal development training commensurate with a senior manager post
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of relevant professional management training and/or qualification
- QSIR Associate
- Project Management Qualification; Prince 2 or equivalent
- Management Qualification
Skills/ competencies
Essential criteria
- Exceptional leadership and communication skills with experience of dealing directly and effectively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Sophisticated leadership and influencing skills, building compassionate cultures where individuals and teams thrive at organisation, partnership, and system levels.
- Strong critical thinking and strategic problem solving.
- Strong analytical understanding, skills and knowledge, including development predictive modelling and development of multi-dimensional complex qualitative and quantitative measurements of effect.
- Evidence of exceptional communication skills (verbal, written and presentation) that engender community confidence, strong collaborations, and partnership.
- Strong negotiation and arbitration skills
- Analytical rigour, numeracy, and financial management skills.
- Skills in leading and knowledge of strategic benchmarking and evaluation approaches.
- Business management skills
Desirable criteria
- Strong facilitation skills and evidence of improvement training delivery in large, multi-disciplinary organisation
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- A deep knowledge of the breadth of challenges faced within health & social care at the strategic level.
- Specialist knowledge of complex NHS planning and modelling.
- Understanding of quality improvement methodology and expectations from national stakeholders including NHS England and Improvement
- Detailed specialist breadth of knowledge of strategy development approaches and applicability across large complex organisations.
- Detailed breadth of knowledge and skills in leading strategic assessment, planning and execution in large complex organisations
- Breadth of knowledge of performance management and frameworks for performance management.
- Breadth of knowledge in regulation in the NHS, Governance and policies and ability to translate into annual plans.
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of the GIRFT
- Successful application of lean and six sigma techniques including Lean problem solving, process mapping and basic analytical tools.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Significant leadership experience of working successfully as head of departmental function or equivalent in a complex organisation; NHS or public sector
- Significant experience of developing and implementing strategy and strategic planning at a senior level in a large complex organisation.
- Significant senior management experience of functions such as finance, performance, recruitment and risk management within a large complex organisation
- Experience of managing strategic partnerships across regional and national boundaries.
- Experience of working in rapidly evolving or entrepreneurial and innovative team and organisation which is undergoing rapid change. Experience of delivering transformation at pace.
- Experience of managing direct and indirect team resources.
- Experience and ability to successfully engage and present at strategic board level
- Experience of working across multiple organisations to produce joint strategic plans
- Experience of budget and contract management
- Experience establishing processes around planning, control, reporting, documentation and evaluation.
- Experience of organisational scenario planning, risk management and modelling
Desirable criteria
- Wide experience of using databases, spreadsheets and analytical tools.
- Experience of an acute trust
Special attributes, specific requirements
Essential criteria
- The ability to lead the development of a long term strategic plan and undertake problem resolution and action to enable delivery.
- Demonstrable ability to prioritise strategic activity effectively in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous environment.
- Ability to use own initiative within sphere of responsibility.
- Demonstrable ability to develop strong and productive working relationships and networks with a wide variety of internal/external stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability at exercising tact and diplomacy.
- Demonstrated ability to analyse situations, assess risk and to provide a reasoned resolution.
- A methodical approach to their work, experience in promoting and challenging efficiency and behold a well-developed level of judgement.
- Able to travel to different sites, as required
Desirable criteria
- Familiarity with clinical service management issues
- Successful business case development and implementation
- Able to travel attend events outside the Trust area as required
Personal Qualities
Essential criteria
- A strong compassionate and collaborative leadership skills enabling individuals and teams to thrive.
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Dave Plumb
- Job title
- Associate Director of Strategy, Planning & QI
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07523 689702
- Additional information
Alternative contact: Jon Singfield, Deputy Director of Strategy, Planning & QI.
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