Project manager

As a project manager, you’ll be responsible for the planning, delivery and implementation of a new policy, service or site, such as improving access to GPs.

Working life

Staff will work on a broad range of projects in health or healthcare. Job roles and titles are varied but examples include:

• primary care development manager
• cancer workforce project manager
• project director

Primary care development manager

You would work closely with GP practices to develop new ways of working in order to improve patient access and patient experience. You may work in a clinical commissioning group (CCG) or commissioning support unit (CSU) and coach, facilitate and share good practice across the region.

Specific duties may include:

• managing the rollout of local projects and programmes
• responsibility for the monitoring and analysis of primary care access data
• development and implementation of a local referral management initiatives.

Workforce project manager 

You might be tasked to review services in specific clinical settings and map the workforce needed to deliver this. You will work with stakeholders such as local health providers, workforce planners and local education and training boards.

Project/programme director

The role of a project director will really depend on the area and setting they are working in.

For example, a project director working in a CCG or CSU could lead on a strategic review of services across primary and secondary care resulting in concrete plans for a major reconfiguration and development of services.

This type of post would be responsible for handling all aspects of the work, from ensuring a full review of health needs is delivered, along with clinical engagement in service reviews, to briefing local politicians and the media and ensuring significant patient and public involvement throughout the project.

Want to learn more?

• Find out more about the entry requirements, skills and interests required to enter a career in project management [1]
• Find out more about the training you’ll receive for a career in project management [2]

• Pay and working conditions

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  Most jobs in the NHS are covered by the Agenda for Change (AfC) [3] pay scales. This pay system covers all staff except doctors, dentists and the most senior managers.

  Your career in project management in the NHS could start at Agenda for Change [4] Band 6 or 7, with the most senior roles rising to Band 9.

  Staff in the NHS will usually work a standard 37.5 hours per week. They may work a shift pattern.

  Terms and conditions of service can vary for employers outside the NHS.

• Where the role can lead

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  With further training and/or experience, you can develop your expertise in project management further into more senior managerial roles, including those at director level.

  Progression for those with ability is typically via operational management in a large hospital.

  Relocation for promotion is common.

  More diverse routes are now opening up, for example, jointly-funded posts between health and social services.

  Graduates from the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme [5] are expected to gain rapid promotion.

• Job market and vacancies

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  When you’re looking for managerial jobs or apprenticeship vacancies, there are a number of sources you can use, depending on the type of and level of work you’re seeking.

  Check vacancies carefully to be sure you can meet the requirements of the person specification before applying and to find out what the application process is. You may need to apply online or send a C.V. for example.

  There is an annual recruitment round for the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme. Visit the Scheme’s website for details [6]

  Key sources relevant to vacancies in the health sector:

  • vacancies in organisations delivering NHS healthcare can be found on the NHS Jobs website [7]
  • opportunities in the Civil Service can be found on the Civil Service Jobs website [8]
  • vacancies in local government can be found on the Local Government Jobs website [9] and the Jobs Go Public website [10]
  • vacancies for apprenticeships appear on the Gov.uk website [11]
  • vacancies for traineeships appear on the Gov.uk website [12]

  As well as these sources, you may find suitable vacancies in the health sector by contacting local employers directly, searching in local newspapers and by using the Universal Jobmatch tool [13]

  Find out more about applications and interviews [14]

  Volunteering is an excellent way of gaining experience (especially if you don’t have enough for a specific paid job you’re interested in) and also seeing whether you’re suited to a particular type of work. It’s also a great way to boost your confidence and you can give something back to the community!

  Find out more about volunteering and gaining experience [15]

• Further information

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  For further information about a career in project management, please contact:

  • Association for Project Management [16]