Continuous Flow and Transformation Lead

University Hospital Southampton; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK healthcare provider is seeking a Discharge & Flow Programme Lead to provide leadership in transforming discharge processes. The successful candidate will coordinate large-scale change initiatives, ensuring improved patient experience and operational efficiency across the system. Extensive experience in change management within the NHS and strong leadership skills are essential. Benefits include generous holidays, NHS pension scheme, and opportunities for flexible working.

Benefits

27 days paid holiday

NHS pension scheme

Flexible working policies

Health Service Discounts

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of discharge processes within acute, community provider and local authority settings.
• Significant experience leading, managing, developing and motivating teams of skilled professionals.
• Expertise in working across organisational boundaries with conflicting incentives.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of the Discharge & Flow Programme.
• Ensure projects deliver financial and operational improvements.
• Champion transformation and change across the portfolio.

Skills

Change management

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Education

Master's level education or equivalent senior-level experience

Post-graduate diploma or equivalent experience

Tools

MS Office applications

Project management software

Job description

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Discharge & Flow Programme Lead to provide system‑wide leadership for one of the mostVind critical priorities across our Integrated Care System. This organisation does not hold a sponsorship licence and will not consider applications from individuals who require sponsorship.

Responsibilities

Lead the end‑to‑end design and delivery of the system Discharge & Flow Programme, aligned to Integrated Care System priorities and national policy.

Act as the system lead for reducing non‑criteria to reside (nCTR) and delayed readiness for discharge (DRD), ensuring clear trajectories, grip and delivery across all partners.

Support the initiation and delivery of major cross‑organisational change projects, and translate national discharge policy into practical, deliverable system‑wide models and standards.

Ensure all projects deliver financial and operational improvements as well as improvements in patient experience, clinical quality and staff engagement.

Champion and lead transformation and change across the portfolio, working with wider Integrated Care System teams and clinical leaders to bring forward evidence‑based innovation and solutions.

Segment and manage multiple stakeholder groups appropriately in a complex multidisciplinary environment. Engage with Communication and Engagement teams to inform business cases and further action. Manage communication between stakeholders relating to integrated discharge deliveryimental, using expert negotiation skills to present complex information and resolve any issues.

Person Specification

• Educated to master’s level or equivalent senior‑level experience with evidence of post‑qualifying and continuing professional development.
• Extensive knowledge of specialist areas, acquired through post‑graduate diploma or equivalent experience or training.
• Experience in managing or supporting large change programmes within the NHS, specifically within the UEC and Discharge environments.
• Expertise in working across organisational boundaries with conflicting incentives.
• Demonstrable success and knowledge in delivering large‑scale operational, financial and cultural change and performance.
• Significant experience leading, managing, developing and motivating teams of skilled professionals.
• Ability to critically analyse extremely complex performance, financial and clinical datasets and hold teams to account for outcomes.
• Extensive understanding of discharge processes within acute, community provider and local authority settings.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including coaching executives and senior teams, and negotiating with senior stakeholders on controversial issues.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, including sound political judgement and decision‑making using తీ evidence.
• Extunive experience with MS Office applications and datasets, SPC charts, and digital tools to drive decisions.
• Experience using project management software (desirable).
• Extensive experience managing large‑scale change programmes within the NHS (essential).

Benefits

• 27 days paid minimum holiday and bank holiday entitlement
• NHS pension scheme
• Sick pay policy
• Occupational health services including staff counselling services
• Flexible working and family‑friendly policies
• Flexible retirement and retirement vouchers
• Health Service Discounts – offers for stores, travel, equipment etc.

Successful candidates will be subject to a six‑month probationary period.