Job Description

NHS Improvement Consultant / PMO Consultant

Location: Manchester - five days per week on site
Contract: Initial 3 months, with strong potential for extension
Start date: 13 July 2026 / 20th July 2026
Travel: Reasonable travel and hotel costs covered for candidates based outside Manchester

We are looking for an NHS Improvement Consultant / PMO Consultant to support a major patient-flow and bed-utilisation programme within a Manchester hospital.

The programme is focused on reducing non-elective bed demand, shortening length of stay, improving discharge processes and embedding a more data-led approach across ward teams.

This is a hands-on delivery role rather than a traditional reporting or advisory PMO position. You will work directly within the hospital, partnering with ward managers, matrons, doctors and other clinical and operational stakeholders to identify problems, implement practical improvements and deliver measurable results.

A central part of the assignment will involve coaching hospital teams to use a bespoke performance dashboard, interpret operational data and take earlier action to improve patient flow and bed utilisation.

• Coach ward teams on the use of a performance dashboard.
• Analyse patient-flow and operational data to identify issues and opportunities.
• Translate data into clear actions for clinical stakeholders.
• Support board rounds, improvement cycles and ward-level interventions.
• Use root-cause analysis to address discharge delays and inefficient bed use.
• Track KPIs and take ownership of measurable improvements in discharge and length of stay.
• Build strong relationships with clinical and operational stakeholders.

The successful consultant will be expected to take ownership of outcomes, including discharge performance and length-of-stay improvements, rather than simply producing recommendations.

• 2-4 years' experience in consulting, healthcare improvement, transformation or PMO delivery.
• Previous experience working within an NHS hospital or acute healthcare environment.
• Strong data analysis and problem-solving capability.
• Experience engaging directly with clinical stakeholders.
• Evidence of delivering measurable operational improvements.
• Strong communication, coaching and stakeholder-management skills.