Innovation Project Manager inManchester inManchester PUBLISHED THU 9 JAN 2025

Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance wants more people than ever to reduce their risk of developing cancer.

Our Alliance brings together clinical and managerial leaders from health and social care organisations across the region, alongside patient representatives, and other partners, including VCSFE (voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise) organisations. We also collaborate with the thriving research bodies in Greater Manchester. By bringing together world-class researchers, clinicians and operational delivery, we have a unique opportunity to improve the lives of people affected by cancer.

We are looking to recruit an Innovation Project Manager to support Primary Care and Early Diagnosis team.

The post holder will be responsible for the development, oversight and evaluation of the GM Cancer Alliance Innovation Programme at the GM Cancer Alliance, with a specific focus on improving Early Diagnosis. This is an excellent opportunity for a Project Manager who has experience and knowledge of developing and delivering innovation projects and is passionate about improving cancer services in Greater Manchester and can provide leadership within the system.

The posts are full-time although flexible working will be considered. The contract will be until 31st March 2026. Secondment requests will be considered.

The individual will be a key member of their team and would be expected to achieve objectives including:

• Establishing governance supportive of developing HInM:Cancer Alliance relationships and partnership working
• Using existing clinical forums and groups to gather intelligence on local innovation practice to progress ideas from initial interest
• Working with industry to scan the market for new cancer innovations and identifying funding opportunities to support evaluations.
• Managing a suite of Project Portfolios to support delivery of the GM Cancer Programme.
• Linking with project managers and stakeholders to progress innovation, digital, diagnostics, robotics and AI service improvements already underway.
• Contributing to decision making processes prior to innovation adoption, e.g. procurement, Quality Impact Assessments, Business Cases
• Supporting GM Cancer to identify and take forward innovative cancer projects
• Ensuring that stakeholders, including people affected by cancer, are fully engaged.

We are looking for a motivated and passionate individual to join the team at the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, hosted by, and based at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust but working on behalf of all Greater Manchester stakeholders in this programme.

About us

Key Working Relationships

• The post-holder will be required to develop and maintain constructive relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders including member practices, clinicians, provider organisations, community service and the voluntary sector to help ensure the delivery of the service.
• Provide and receive highly complex, sensitive and contentious information, presenting information, to a wide range of stakeholders in a variety of formal and informal settings.
• Having the ability to deal with resulting potentially antagonistic situations.
• Committed to working and engaging constructively with internal and external stakeholders on a range of business sensitive issues in relation to the service.
• Link with innovation and CCG managers and members of other providers, to address inter-dependencies and ensure alignment.
• Apply a structured change management approach and methodology for the impact of implementation of the service.

Functional Responsibilities

Operational

• To support the identification and sharing of best practice.
• To operate in a highly political and sensitive environment.
• Support the portfolio of initiatives in demonstrating value for money through tracking, managing and delivering agreed benefits.

Programme Management

• Lead on the delivery of project plans, allocating tasks as appropriate, identifying risks, issues and dependencies, considering best practice and current options and ultimately making decisions in the best interest of the programme.
• Develop a comprehensive and cohesive plan for the transition period, which is consistent with the overall project timetable, meets the strategic direction of the team and minimises unnecessary disruption to stakeholders involved in the process and is operationally sound.
• Pro-actively manage stakeholders, respond to and resolve conflict between different stakeholders when this arises through facilitation or other appropriate mechanisms.
• Be responsible for a high standard of work supporting the delivery of projects on time, to quality standards and in a cost-effective manner.
• Maintain documents and associated plans with regular team meetings to monitor progress and resources.
• Develop an inclusive approach to service development, actively promoting the involvement of service users, carers and the wider public.
• Responsible for the planning and organisation of numerous events/meetings, ensuring communication tools are used to their maximum value for circulating the minutes, agenda and presentations in a timely manner.
• Demonstrate effective stakeholder management at all levels.
• Contribute to performance improvement, taking a lead for identified areas where agreed.
• Ensure that the projects maintain business focus, have clear authority and that the context, including risks, are actively managed in alignment with the strategic priorities.

Information Management

• Drafting reports summarising status on issues, appraising outcomes, and providing progress reports for the board.
• Collate as required, qualitative and quantitative information and lead appropriate analysis to develop robust business cases.
• Ensure timely and accurate information analysis and reporting to management on agreed areas of work.
• Analyse, interpret and present data to highlight issues, risks and support decision making.

Research and Development

• Plan, develop and evaluate methods and processes for gathering, analysing, interpreting and presenting data and information.
• Deliver projects to comply with key performance indicators.
• Lead on systematic review of existing service provision to explore opportunities for efficiencies, service redesign and reinvestment that will ensure value for money and adherence to best practice is achieved.

Planning and Organisation

• Contribute to the strategic planning of the agreed projects, identifying interdependencies across projects/functions, potential impacts on wider organisation, resource requirements and building in contingency and adjustments as necessary.
• Contribute to the development of performance and governance strategies and the development and implementation of improvement programmes.
• Contribute to short, medium and long-term business plans, achieving quality outcomes.