Associate Director of Improvement , Band 8d

Job summary

This is a full-time permanent role based across sites and an exciting opportunity to join our team.

The Associate Director of Improvement is a senior corporate leadership role responsible for setting the strategic direction for Trust-wide improvement and ensuring there is a clear line of sight from Board priorities to delivery across clinical, operational and corporate services, in direct support of the Trust's four strategic aims.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Improvement and Delivery, the postholder holds corporate responsibility for the Trust-wide improvement strategy, operating model, governance framework and capability-building approach. They will establish and embed a coherent organisation-wide approach to continuous improvement, aligned with national priorities including NHS IMPACT, ensuring that improvement methods are applied consistently across the Trust to build capability, support delivery and provide Board assurance on improvement maturity and impact. The role translates strategic priorities into a coordinated portfolio of improvement and service redesign, determines how methods, resources, measures and governance are deployed across clinical, operational and corporate services, and secures measurable organisational benefit, productivity and value for money through the Gloucestershire Safety and Quality Improvement Academy (GSQIA) and wider improvement portfolio.

Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities

Lead the Trust-wide improvement strategy, policy framework, governance arrangements and operating model, establishing a coherent organisation-wide approach aligned to NHS IMPACT and Board priorities.

Provide expert advice, assurance and recommendations to the Board, Board committees, Executive Team and Trust Leadership Team on improvement priorities, methodology, capability, risk, delivery, maturity and impact.

Lead a portfolio of major, complex and interdependent improvement and service redesign programmes, with clear objectives, measures, governance, assurance and benefits realisation.

Lead the Gloucestershire Safety and Quality Improvement Academy as the Trust's principal capability-building mechanism for Patient Safety & Improvement, including its Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum pathway, Human Factors faculty model, Patient Safety Associate Programme and Gold coaching approach, ensuring the offer remains aligned to evidence, national policy and organisational need.

Act as budget holder for the improvement function, with accountability for significant programme spend and authority to prioritise and re-prioritise resources in line with organisational priorities.

Define the Trust's improvement assurance, reporting and portfolio oversight requirements, including Board assurance on improvement maturity and impact.

About us

We take pride in placing people at the centre of everything we do, working together as a united team. Driven by a shared ambition to continually grow, develop, and learn, we recognise and value every contribution. By combining our experience and skills, we not only support our vibrant, diverse communities, but also support one another.

With a team of over 9,000 employees, we are proud to be the largest employer in Gloucestershire and rank among the top 10 largest Trusts in the South West region. By joining our Trust, you will benefit from an excellent package that includes exclusive benefits, flexible working opportunities and the chance to gain valuable experience in one of our innovative hospitals.

As well as generous annual leave allowance, you will have access to the excellent NHS pension scheme, competitive bank rates, discounts at local shops and restaurants, access to two on-site nurseries, discounted public transport, reward and recognition and a range of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Details

Date posted

30 June 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8d

Salary

£94,356 to £108,814 a year (pa, pro rata if part-time)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

318-26-T0435

Job locations

Cross sites (Cheltenham/Gloucester)

Gloucestershire

GL1 3NN

United Kingdom

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