Purpose of the post and main responsibilities 

Health Data Research UK and NHS England are both committed to delivering streamlined processes and procedures for scalable, trustworthy access to high-priority NHS England data assets.  

During a period of rapid change, this Programme Manager role will focus on delivering pragmatic near-term progress to securely increase the accessibility of NHS England datasets available to external users, while ensuring that solutions can scale and expand in reach and impact over time.  The intent is to sustain progress/mitigate planning blight during a period of significant uncertainty and lay the foundations for a successful transition to the Health Data Research Service, once this is operational. Datasets will be selected to maximise reach and onward benefits to research across a broad spectrum of disease areas and for a broad range of researchers. 

This post will be employed by HDR UK, but though an honorary appointment will work with colleagues in HDR UK and NHS England as a joint appointment across both organisations, agreeing a realistic 6-12 month set of joint objectives, and reporting jointly to NHS England’s Deputy Director for Data Access and HDR UK Programme Director for data partnerships. 

Main responsibilities will include: 

• Working with NHS England and HDR UK teams to accelerate progress across the below priority areas, with a phased approach to ensure tangible progress in at least one domain initially: 

• Unlocking access to key datasets (e.g. primary care through OpenSAFELY) and support development of robust processes and key stakeholder relationships (e.g. BMA, RCGP for primary care) in close collaboration with existing NHS England programmes. 

• Developing processes and procedures that streamline information governance approvals and contracting, focussing on models for data access for programmatic research within the NHSE SDE, removing complexity and duplication whilst retaining confidentiality and security for patients. 

• Increase transparency and engagement in the prioritisation process for onboarding of new data assets for access through the NHSE National SDE and other access routes. 

• Supporting close integration with existing delivery teams to maintain alignment and progress. 

• Attending and shape strategic discussions within HDR UK and NHSE to ensure delivery of the roadmap. 

• Coordinate and manage reporting and updates to key senior stakeholders to ensure strategic buy-in of agreed priorities. 

What would role do? 

The role will: 

• Work with both NHSE and HDR UK colleagues to address agreed acceptably disruptive solutions to make realistic but meaningful progress. 

• Work to develop and implement solutions that benefits all research and are scalable, rather than solutions for individual projects. 

• Project manage and co-ordinate a prioritised delivery roadmap, developing project plans, tracking progress and deliverables, and managing risks and mitigation. 

• Ongoing reporting to a range of stakeholders, adapting communications as required.  

General responsibilities: 

• Enable use of appropriate team communications and project management tools. 

• Support development of communications to maintain alignment across multiple internal cross-departmental interfaces and ensure that ongoing efforts are widely understood across external stakeholder groups. 

• Be prepared and able to work flexibly to support colleagues as needed, adapting to an evolving environment and emerging priorities. 

Planning and organising 

This post is embedded and supported by a range of colleagues across HDR UK and NHS England Data Access & Partnerships teams and will plan and manage a specific workload of complex, over-lapping projects and tasks. The role will require high levels of organisational skill and ability to work across organisational boundaries. The post-holder will need to effectively plan and deliver their work and be able to respond to changing needs in a fast-paced organisations. 

Problem solving  

The Programme Manager will be expected to use problem solving skills to respond to the diverse demands across each organisation. Supported by team-members, the postholder will operate with significant independence and will require confidence and resilience in planning and in dealing with enquiries and challenges that arise across the work. The post holder will make an effective judgement on when to escalate issues to senior colleagues’ attention and with what urgency.  

Decision making  

The post-holder will make day-to-day operational decisions for their own workload. They will identify, initiate, and develop opportunities for streamlined and effective working across NHS England and HDR UK. 

Continuous improvement 

HDR UK is dedicated to continuous improvement through our quality management system and has achieved ISO 9001 accreditation. The post-holder will review, analyse, identify and implement opportunities for quality improvement within their role and as part of the wider team through our strategy development and internal audit processes.  

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