Programme Director UK&I

We are looking for an experienced Programme Director to lead the successful delivery of complex healthcare IT transformation programmes across the UK&I.

This is a senior, customer-facing role responsible for managing a portfolio of pathology, laboratory information systems (LIMS/LIS), and Order Communications implementation programmes, acting as the key interface between programme ownership, delivery teams, and executive stakeholders. You will work closely with customers, project managers, clinical SMEs, sales teams, and executive leadership to ensure programmes are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.

Alongside programme delivery, you will play a key role in driving operational excellence, business transformation, and the adoption of data-driven and AI-enabled ways of working across Professional Services.

Key Responsibilities

Programme & Portfolio Leadership

• Lead a portfolio of large-scale pathology, laboratory information system (LIMS/LIS), and Order Communications implementation programmes.

• Provide executive-level oversight of programme delivery, governance, risks, issues, and escalations.

• Engage with customer executives, Senior Responsible Owners (SROs), and key stakeholders throughout programme lifecycles.

• Ensure successful transition from sales through project initiation, delivery, and closure.

• Drive continuous improvement across programme management processes, tools, and delivery frameworks.

• Support project teams to deliver contractual commitments while maintaining exceptional customer satisfaction.

• Monitor programme performance, quality, timelines, and commercial outcomes.

Customer & Stakeholder Management

• Act as the senior client-facing representative for strategic programmes.

• Build trusted relationships with executive stakeholders within NHS and healthcare organisations.

• Lead programme governance meetings and executive steering groups.

• Manage senior-level escalations and ensure successful resolution of complex delivery challenges.

• Provide strategic guidance to customers throughout major transformation programmes.

Operational Excellence & Digital Transformation

• Champion modern delivery practices, automation, data-driven decision-making, and AI-enabled ways of working.

• Leverage data, analytics, and reporting to improve programme visibility and performance.

• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, customer experience, and delivery outcomes.

• Promote the responsible use of AI and emerging technologies across Professional Services teams.

Commercial & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Support key sales opportunities through delivery planning, solution shaping, pricing discussions, and customer presentations.

• Collaborate with commercial, product, and technical teams to ensure delivery readiness.

• Contribute to contract reviews and programme planning activities.

• Influence product direction through customer and delivery insights.

People Leadership

• Coach, mentor, and develop Programme Managers, Project Managers, Consultants, and SMEs.

• Drive high performance and accountability across delivery teams.

• Support organisational change initiatives and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

• Build capability in programme management, digital tools, analytics, and AI adoption.

Financial Management

• Own the financial performance of your programme portfolio.

• Monitor revenue, profitability, forecasting, and programme budgets.

• Ensure robust financial governance and reporting.

• Identify commercial risks and opportunities to improve programme outcomes and margins.

Skills & Experience

Essential Experience

• Significant experience leading large-scale healthcare IT programmes.

• Proven track record delivering complex LIMS/LIS, Order Communications, EPR, pathology, or wider healthcare transformation programmes.

• Experience managing multiple concurrent programmes and project teams.

• Strong customer-facing skills with the ability to engage and influence executive stakeholders.

• Experience managing programme governance, risks, issues, dependencies, and escalations.

• Demonstrable experience driving organisational change and improvement initiatives.

• Strong leadership, coaching, and mentoring capability.

Desirable Experience

• Experience within a healthcare software vendor, consultancy, or healthcare technology provider.

• Knowledge of pathology, laboratory information systems, or broader NHS clinical workflows.

• Experience supporting commercial bids, proposals, and pre-sales activities.

• PRINCE2, MSP, or equivalent programme management qualifications.

• Experience using programme reporting, analytics, and visualisation tools such as Power BI.

Skills & Attributes

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Strong consulting and advisory capabilities.

• Commercially aware with strong financial management skills.

• Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to programme delivery.

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.

• Passion for digital transformation and continuous improvement.