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Project Planner

NHS

Job Description

Job summary

Are you an organised, pro-active individual looking for a new role to flex your skills? If so, our Project Planner role may be ideal for you. Central to this crucial role is supporting Project and Programme Managers with the planning and execution of strategic projects that contribute to the NHS Business Services Authority's (NHSBSA) strategic goals and areas of focus. You will provide expert planning advice, identify planning improvements and provide assurance and challenge to ensure plans are realistic and achievable across the Portfolio Management Directorate. The post holder will have a significant working knowledge of Microsoft Project and experience delivering large scale programmes of change. The role involves extensive contact with internal departments e.g. Data, Digital and Technology and other operational areas, and representatives of external organisations across Government. To thrive in this role, you will be a confident and personable professional with the ability to communicate well at all levels.

You'll be joining a great team with varied and exciting work on offer, with excellent training and career development opportunities.

What do we offer?27 days leave (increasing with service) plus bank holidaysFlexible working (happy to discuss options)Hybrid working (mix of office & remote working)Active wellbeing and inclusion networksExcellent pensionNHS Car lease schemeAccess to a wide range of benefits

Main duties of the job

o Project Planning: Take ownership for developing and implementing a programme of regular facilitated reviews of project and programme plans with key stakeholders, sharing knowledge and planning expertise across the Portfolio Change Plan. The post holder will be a true planning and resourcing champion, advocating the benefits of defining comprehensive plans that outline key tasks, milestones and timelines.

o People and Leadership: Communicate and build commitment to a shared vision and standards for project plan development and management, ensuring accountability and use of best practice planning techniques via NHSBSA Project Management and Portfolio Delivery Frameworks. The post holder will drive the personal development of PMD colleagues by knowledge sharing and contributing to planning and resourcing skill bite content in conjunction with the NHSBSA Portfolio Directorate Academy.

o Project Performance and Controls: Monitor and analyse planning information, reporting progress and slippage while highlighting areas of risk and opportunity in conjunction with the Portfolio Office Risk and Issues Specialist. The post holder will validate the accuracy of plans against project objectives and contribute to lessons learnt sessions to enhance the quality and content of future planning and management.

About us

Here at the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), what we do matters.

We manage the NHS Pension scheme, process prescription payments and much more. Our services are used by NHS organisations, contractors and the public: we take pride in being part of something so meaningful, that touches millions of lives.

Just as we design our services around the needs of our customers, we place our people at the heart of our organisation. That's why when you join us, you'll be empowered and given the right support to help your career grow.

As one of the UK's Best Big Companies to work for, we're all connected to our values: Collaborative, Adventurous, Reliable and Energetic. We care about our people, our purpose, and your progress.

We strive to offer a fantastic colleague experience, where every voice is heard, and every colleague is supported and respected. Wellbeing, diversity and inclusion is at the centre of this, so when you join us, you can connect with our Lived Experience Networks who help us to bring our authentic selves to work.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and circumstances. We are committed and proud to be a flexible employer and will endeavour to offer a working pattern that suits you wherever possible, whether that be hybrid working, flexible hours, job sharing and more.

Ready to join us on our journey to be a catalyst for better health? Apply today and see where the NHSBSA can take you.

We are people connected to care.

Job responsibilities

In this role, you are accountable for

1. Project Planning

Develop and implement a programme of regular facilitated reviews of programme and project plans with key programme and project stakeholders and leading on the use of project planning technique.Work as a key member of the Portfolio Office and Assurance Team, sharing knowledge and expertise of project planning across the portfolio change plan.Lead on the timely and accurate reporting of plan assurance to Programme and Project Boards to which assigned, NHSBSA Leadership Team and governance forums (i.e. LT, Portfolio Board, PPAG and PRBs) and external forums (i.e. DHSC Portfolio Office, Cabinet Office etc), as appropriate.Report the outcomes of reviews to all relevant stakeholders, confirms their understanding and acceptance, and agreeing resulting actions.Undertake review and quality assurance of project plans identifying improvement actions and acting as a coach/mentor/critical friend.Provide constructive challenge and recommendations to programme and project managers, as well as senior managers in the organisation and other key stakeholders to ensure accurate project information is provided to enable quality outputs to be produced, enabling effective decision making at a senior level and assisting in driving delivery of the Portfolio Change Plan.Challenge and test project assumptions to ensure that plans are realistic and achievable.Develop breakdown structures, quality criteria, product descriptions and monitoring strategy. Support the project manager to identify options to optimise delivery through resource smoothing, resource levelling and rescheduling of activities.Develop comprehensive project plans outlining tasks, milestones, and timelines.Collaborate with project stakeholders to gather requirements and establish project scope.Create and maintain project schedules, ensuring alignment with NHSBSA priorities.Expert User in Microsoft Project.Accountable for the quality and integrity of project plans and schedule analysis in terms of time, cost and resources.Compile reports to ensure project manager and team has up to date and accurate information.Lead on planning activities to support delivery of the business case benefits and outcomes.Identify opportunities for process improvement and efficiency gains within project planning.Identify areas where data quality could be improved and highlighting risks to both programmes and projects; working with Professional Development Leads to drive up standards and improve project management culture;

2. People and Leadership

Communicate and build commitment to a shared vision and standards for project plan development and management, ensuring accountability and championing the use of best practice via NHSBSA project management framework and portfolio delivery framework.Building excellent internal and external network within the healthcare family, wider government and other organisation to share working practices and drive best practice for plan management.Drive development of colleagues in PMD via leading by example, knowledge sharing, training, mentoring and contribution to Portfolio Academy.Providing expert advice for team members and the project community.Escalating and challenging Leadership Team members, as appropriate on planning and scheduling matters.Be accountable for own personal development needs in order to be fully equipped to meet future organisational needs.Supporting capability building and the use of best practice in planning and reporting.

3. Resources

Identify and plan for wider resource requirements for projects.Coordinate with departmental resources and external partners to allocate resources effectively.Monitor resource utilization and identify opportunities for optimization.

4. Stakeholder Management

Develop constructive and productive working relationships with programme and project managers to support cross-programme and project management collaboration.Positively challenge programme stakeholders and senior managers and consult to provide advice on assurance matters, particularly where programmes and projects are not tracking to plan.Engage in debate, negotiate and influence to resolve issues, remove blockers that delay delivery, and differences between stakeholders and challenge assumptions.Ensure that stakeholder responsibilities and needs are understood and addressed in reporting arrangements.Facilitate communication and collaboration among project stakeholders.Organize and lead regular project planning meetings to keep stakeholders informed and engaged.

5. Project Performance and Controls

Monitor and analyse information, reporting progress, slippage and highlighting areas of risk and opportunity.Compile reports to ensure project manager and team has up to date and accurate information.Track project performance to ensure project data accuracy on a weekly and monthly basis.Identify potential risks and issues that may impact project delivery.Develop risk mitigation strategies and work with the project team to implement them.Contribute to lessons learned sessions to enhance future project planning and management.Verify the maintenance and accuracy of project plans, ensuring that they reflect the project objectives, are updated in a timely manner ...

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