Innovation and Development Project Manager | Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

This exciting opportunity would suit an experienced and motivated individual with a proven track record of driving innovation. We are seeking to recruit someone with strong business acumen, a proactive 'can-do' attitude, and experience of turning innovative ideas into practical outcomes.

As the Innovation and Development Project Manager, you will play a key role within the newly created Innovation and Development Team driving the development of innovation and commercial opportunities across Dorset HealthCare, Dorset County Hospital and the wider Dorset health and care system. You will works alongside, and not in place of, the established Commercial and Business Development function, with developments transferring into operational and commercial management once proven and embedded.

Please note

As part of our federated model this role is limited to applications from current employees of Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust or Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust only.

This is a full time post, although requests for flexible working will be considered. Applications are welcome on a secondment, part-time or job share basis.

Please note visa sponsorship for this role is unfortunately not available. Ensure you hold valid right to work in the UK and will not require sponsorship if successful.

The postholder will be the delivery lead within the innovation and development team, reporting to the Innovation and Development Programme Manager (Band 8a) and line managing the Band 6 Innovation and Development Project Officer.

The postholder leads the day-to-day delivery of the team's work programme across three linked portfolios

1. Dorset Innovation Hub — co-hosted by Dorset HealthCare and Health Sciences University, running the Hub's work programme and leading individual cross-organisational projects.

2. Federation Innovation — leading innovation and cost improvement projects across the Federation (the partnership arrangement between Dorset HealthCare and Dorset County Hospital, with a combined turnover of approximately £750m), including the initial priority of secure transport.

3. Private Patient Development — developing the practical building blocks for private patient services, including within Dorset HealthCare where these do not yet exist.

The postholder personally leads the largest and most complex projects in the team's portfolio, undertakes the analysis and diagnostic work that underpins business cases, and works directly with clinical, operational and finance colleagues to implement agreed changes.

The balance of work across the three portfolios will vary considerably over the life of the programme. The postholder will be expected to work flexibly across all three, with priorities agreed and reviewed regularly with their line manager.

At Dorset HealthCare we’re on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We’re a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here – it’s one of the reasons the CQC rated us ‘outstanding’ in 2019. It’s also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you’re looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you’ll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don’t know. And you’ll be working towards our vision to create healthier lives, empowered citizens and thriving communities.

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidate’s individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.

All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

This is a fixed term role and for those with current NHS service, the role will be offered on a secondment basis only. Please obtain permission to be released on a secondment before submitting an application.

This advert closes on Thursday 5 Nov 2026