Job summary

30-month term:This post is offered as a fixed-term contract for candidates outside the NHS or as a secondment for those employed by an NHS organisation.

Please note:This opportunity is only open to applicants currently working within the East of England region. Please includethe area in which you work when stating your current employer.

Do you want to help deliver a programme that will change lives across Essex? WorkWell supports people whose health affects their ability to find, stay in or return to work. Bringing together partners from health, care, local government, the voluntary sector and employment services, the programme will help residents improve their health, confidence and independence while accessing employment opportunities.

You will design and deliver learning, engagement and change activities to support programme implementation. Working across NHS organisations, local authorities, employment support services and voluntary and community sector organisations, you will lead stakeholder engagement, organisational development and capability building to support adoption of the WorkWell model.

Supporting the Head of Learning and Change, you will provide specialist advice, lead key workstreams and translate strategic objectives into practical interventions that improve outcomes. You will use learning from implementation to enhance delivery, build capability, promote collaboration and support improvement across the WorkWell partnership.

Main duties of the job

You will be responsible for developing and maintaining detailed work plans and implementation schedules, ensuring delivery against agreed milestones and coordinating activities across multiple organisations and stakeholder groups to support programme objectives. You will also support governance arrangements and programme reporting requirements, as well as coordinating Learning and Change Network activities, facilitating the sharing of good practice across Essex and nationally.

You should possess strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders across health, care, employment support and voluntary sector organisations. You will be a confident leader, ensuring the progressive development and delivery of system-wide learning and capability programmes. You will be required to effectively monitor expenditure associated with learning, engagement and development activities, requiring strong analytical skills and a keen eye for detail. The ability to identify risks to delivery and escalate issues appropriately is essential to the role. You will be proactive and attentive, ensuring value for money is achieved across commissioned learning and development activities. You should be proficient in using software required to develop reports to deliver high-quality documents through Microsoft packages. You will also support procurement and management of external training, facilitation or engagement support where required.

About us

NHS Essex ICB is a statutory organisation responsible for the planning and funding of NHS services for around 1.9 million people across Essex. Our role as an ICB is to bring health and care services together, improve the health and wellbeing of our population and ensure equitable access to services and outcome for everyone. The organisations headquarters is Seax House, Chelmsford, and we operate a hybrid working model (2 office-based days) that includes working across Essex and from home. Essex ICB currently has offices in Brentwood, Harlow and Colchester, in addition to the Chelmsford HQ.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity. We know that different experiences, ideas and perspectives help create a stronger and more innovative organisation that delivers better outcomes for patients. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, including people of all ages, disabilities, sex, gender identity or expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or personal circumstances. Our policies ensure all applicants are treated fairly and consistently throughout the recruitment process, including consideration of reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants.

Please note that the organisation does not hold a sponsorship licence.

Details

Date posted

02 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£57,528 to £64,750 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

30 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

D9708-MSE576

Job locations

Seax House

Victoria Road South

Chelmsford

Essex

CM1 1QH

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

ROLE PURPOSE / SUMMARY

The Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) is a new organisation formed through the consolidation of three ICB areas in response to the NHSs ambition to deliver a more streamlined, strategic and cost-effective model of health commissioning. The ICB will oversee the commissioning of care for the approximately 2 million people who live in Essex. Operating within a reduced running cost envelope and aligned to the new requirements of ICBs in England, the ICB will focus on improving population health outcomes, health equity and smarter resource allocation.

The Learning and Change Lead will be responsible for leading the design, development and delivery of learning, engagement and change activities that support successful implementation of the Essex WorkWell Programme.

Working across a complex partnership of NHS organisations, local authorities, employment support services, voluntary and community sector organisations and employers, the postholder will lead programmes of stakeholder engagement, organisational development, behavioural change and capability building to support successful adoption of the WorkWell model.

The postholder will act as the subject matter expert for learning, change management and system adoption, translating strategic objectives into practical interventions that improve engagement, capability and programme outcomes. They will support the Head of Learning and Change by providing specialist advice, leading key workstreams and ensuring learning from implementation is captured, shared and used to improve delivery.

The postholder will work across organisational boundaries to build capability, promote collaboration and support a culture of continuous improvement across the WorkWell partnership.

As the ICB transitions to become a leaner, more focused strategic commissioning organisation the post holder will be expected to support the WorkWell in delivering on the three fundamental shifts set out in the NHS 10-year plan:

• From Treatment to Prevention: Embedding preventative, personalised and population based approaches to commissioning.
• From Hospital to Community: Championing care model redesign that supports community and neighbourhood health.
• From Analogue to Digital: Enabling clinically driven transformation through digital innovation, data analytics and evidence based improvement.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To deliver on the job description set out above, the job holder will be expected to deliver on the requirements set out below:

Policy and service development

• Implement policy and / or service developments related to WorkWell, drawing on requirements from NHS strategies, including the ICB strategy and the 10 Year Health Plan.
• Ensure compliance with relevant ICB policies.
• Use research and innovation to inform service improvements or performance management
• Lead the development and implementation of learning, engagement and change management approaches that support delivery of the WorkWell programme.
• Develop and maintain frameworks, guidance, tools and resources to support service adoption and continuous improvement.
• Support the development and implementation of policies, procedures and operating models relating to WorkWell delivery.
• Contribute to service redesign and improvement initiatives by applying organisational development and change management methodologies.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, pathways and partnership working arrangements.
• Ensure learning from implementation is systematically captured and incorporated into future service development.

Strategy and analysis

• Use of complex health data sets, including those relating to performance across activity, finance, and quality to inform decision making.
• Analyse complex qualitative and quantitative information relating to programme delivery, stakeholder engagement, and service performance.
• Conduct change impact assessments and organisational readiness assessments to identify risks and opportunities.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of learning, engagement, and organisational development interventions.
• Develop recommendations for improvement based on evidence, stakeholder feedback, and programme intelligence.
• Support benefits realisation and evaluation activities across the programme.
• Produce complex reports, presentations and briefings for governance groups, programme boards and stakeholders.
• Ensure lived experience, staff feedback and stakeholder insight inform programme improvement activity.

Planning and organisation

• Lead planning and delivery of learning, engagement and change workstreams across the WorkWell programme.
• Develop and maintain detailed work plans and implementation schedules, ensuring delivery against agreed milestones.
• Coordinate activities across multiple organisations and stakeholder groups to support programme objectives.
• Manage competing priorities and adapt plans in response to emerging risks, issues and opportunities.
• Support governance arrangements and programme reporting requirements.
• Coordinate Learning and Change Network activities and facilitate the sharing of good practice across Essex and nationally.

Communications and Partnerships

• Build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders across health, care, employment support and voluntary sector organisations.
• Deliver effective engagement activities that support programme awareness, understanding and adoption.
• Present complex information to diverse audiences using clear, accessible and engaging approaches.
• Facilitate workshops, learning events, communities of practice and collaborative improvement sessions.
• Use influencing and negotiation skills to build commitment to change and overcome resistance.
• Support senior leaders and managers in understanding and implementing organisational change.
• Develop communication and engagement materials tailored to different audiences and stakeholder groups.
• Establish effective networks across local, regional and national WorkWell programmes to support shared learning and best practice.

Financial and resource management

• Contribute to effective management of programme resources and budgets.
• Monitor expenditure associated with learning, engagement and development activities.
• Ensure value for money is achieved across commissioned learning and development activities.
• Support procurement and management of external training, facilitation or engagement support where required.
• Identify risks to delivery and escalate issues appropriately.

Team management and capability building

• Lead the development and delivery of system-wide learning and capability programmes.
• Design and facilitate training, workshops and development interventions for staff and stakeholders.
• Coach and support teams, managers and partners to adopt new ways of working.
• Support development of a continuous learning culture across the WorkWell partnership.
• Provide specialist advice on organisational development, behavioural change and stakeholder engagement.
• Supervise staff, project resources or temporary programme support where required.
• Support induction, onboarding and workforce development activities associated with the programme.

Other

• Able to use initiative and work independently as needed to deliver on requirements of the role
• Primarily desk-based work that requires use of visual display units, focused concentration and frequent participation in on-line or in person meetings
• Able to use software required to develop report, including ability to deliver high quality documents through Microsoft suite (word, power point, excel)

Flexibility and evolving responsibilities

As the ICB continues to evolve, portfolios may be subject to change to reflect the needs of the organization, the health and care system and national policy direction. This may include adjustments to areas of responsibility or realignment of reporting structures.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

The post holder will need to build constructive relationships with partners from across the health and care system. Key relationships will be with:

• Head of Learning and Change
• WorkWell Programme Team
• National Support Team
• Regional Programme Adviser
• NHS Provider Organisations
• Primary Care Networks
• Local Authority operational teams
• Employment support providers
• Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise organisations
• Local employer networks
• Communications and engagement teams
• Organisational development and workforce teams
• Neighbourhood Health and wider commissioning leads

Job description Job responsibilities ROLE PURPOSE / SUMMARYThe Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) is a new organisation formed through the consolidation of three ICB areas in response to the NHSs ambition to deliver a more streamlined, strategic and cost-effective model of health commissioning. The ICB will oversee the commissioning of care for the approximately 2 million people who live in Essex. Operating within a reduced running cost envelope and aligned to the new requirements of ICBs in England, the ICB will focus on improving population health outcomes, health equity and smarter resource allocation.The Learning and Change Lead will be responsible for leading the design, development and delivery of learning, engagement and change activities that support successful implementation of the Essex WorkWell Programme.Working across a complex partnership of NHS organisations, local authorities, employment support services, voluntary and community sector organisations and employers, the postholder will lead programmes of stakeholder engagement, organisational development, behavioural change and capability building to support successful adoption of the WorkWell model.The postholder will act as the subject matter expert for learning, change management and system adoption, translating strategic objectives into practical interventions that improve engagement, capability and programme outcomes. They will support the Head of Learning and Change by providing specialist advice, leading key workstreams and ensuring learning from implementation is captured, shared and used to improve delivery.The postholder will work across organisational boundaries to build capability, promote collaboration and support a culture of continuous improvement across the WorkWell partnership.As the ICB transitions to become a leaner, more focused strategic commissioning organisation the post holder will be expected to support the WorkWell in delivering on the three fundamental shifts set out in the NHS 10-year plan:From Treatment to Prevention: Embedding preventative, personalised and population based approaches to commissioning.From Hospital to Community: Championing care model redesign that supports community and neighbourhood health.From Analogue to Digital: Enabling clinically driven transformation through digital innovation, data analytics and evidence based improvement.KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESTo deliver on the job description set out above, the job holder will be expected to deliver on the requirements set out below:Policy and service developmentImplement policy and / or service developments related to WorkWell, drawing on requirements from NHS strategies, including the ICB strategy and the 10 Year Health Plan.Ensure compliance with relevant ICB policies.Use research and innovation to inform service improvements or performance managementLead the development and implementation of learning, engagement and change management approaches that support delivery of the WorkWell programme.Develop and maintain frameworks, guidance, tools and resources to support service adoption and continuous improvement.Support the development and implementation of policies, procedures and operating models relating to WorkWell delivery.Contribute to service redesign and improvement initiatives by applying organisational development and change management methodologies.Identify opportunities to improve processes, pathways and partnership working arrangements.Ensure learning from implementation is systematically captured and incorporated into future service development.Strategy and analysisUse of complex health data sets, including those relating to performance across activity, finance, and quality to inform decision making.Analyse complex qualitative and quantitative information relating to programme delivery, stakeholder engagement, and service performance.Conduct change impact assessments and organisational readiness assessments to identify risks and opportunities.Evaluate the effectiveness of learning, engagement, and organisational development interventions.Develop recommendations for improvement based on evidence, stakeholder feedback, and programme intelligence.Support benefits realisation and evaluation activities across the programme.Produce complex reports, presentations and briefings for governance groups, programme boards and stakeholders.Ensure lived experience, staff feedback and stakeholder insight inform programme improvement activity.Planning and organisation Lead planning and delivery of learning, engagement and change workstreams across the WorkWell programme.Develop and maintain detailed work plans and implementation schedules, ensuring delivery against agreed milestones.Coordinate activities across multiple organisations and stakeholder groups to support programme objectives.Manage competing priorities and adapt plans in response to emerging risks, issues and opportunities.Support governance arrangements and programme reporting requirements.Coordinate Learning and Change Network activities and facilitate the sharing of good practice across Essex and nationally.Communications and PartnershipsBuild and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders across health, care, employment support and voluntary sector organisations.Deliver effective engagement activities that support programme awareness, understanding and adoption.Present complex information to diverse audiences using clear, accessible and engaging approaches.Facilitate workshops, learning events, communities of practice and collaborative improvement sessions.Use influencing and negotiation skills to build commitment to change and overcome resistance.Support senior leaders and managers in understanding and implementing organisational change.Develop communication and engagement materials tailored to different audiences and stakeholder groups.Establish effective networks across local, regional and national WorkWell programmes to support shared learning and best practice.Financial and resource managementContribute to effective management of programme resources and budgets.Monitor expenditure associated with learning, engagement and development activities.Ensure value for money is achieved across commissioned learning and development activities.Support procurement and management of external training, facilitation or engagement support where required.Identify risks to delivery and escalate issues appropriately.Team management and capability buildingLead the development and delivery of system-wide learning and capability programmes.Design and facilitate training, workshops and development interventions for staff and stakeholders.Coach and support teams, managers and partners to adopt new ways of working.Support development of a continuous learning culture across the WorkWell partnership.Provide specialist advice on organisational development, behavioural change and stakeholder engagement.Supervise staff, project resources or temporary programme support where required.Support induction, onboarding and workforce development activities associated with the programme.OtherAble to use initiative and work independently as needed to deliver on requirements of the rolePrimarily desk-based work that requires use of visual display units, focused concentration and frequent participation in on-line or in person meetingsAble to use software required to develop report, including ability to deliver high quality documents through Microsoft suite (word, power point, excel)Flexibility and evolving responsibilitiesAs the ICB continues to evolve, portfolios may be subject to change to reflect the needs of the organization, the health and care system and national policy direction. This may include adjustments to areas of responsibility or realignment of reporting structures.KEY RELATIONSHIPSThe post holder will need to build constructive relationships with partners from across the health and care system. Key relationships will be with:Head of Learning and ChangeWorkWell Programme TeamNational Support TeamRegional Programme AdviserNHS Provider OrganisationsPrimary Care NetworksLocal Authority operational teamsEmployment support providersVoluntary, Community and Social Enterprise organisationsLocal employer networksCommunications and engagement teamsOrganisational development and workforce teamsNeighbourhood Health and wider commissioning leads

Person Specification

Personal Attributes and Values

Essential

• Personal commitment to the values of the NHS 10-year Plan, the NHS People Plan, the Nolan Principles, to championing equality, diversity and inclusion within the ICB and the wide health system.
• A high level of self-awareness and emotional intelligence, with an understanding of own strengths and limitations.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working at a senior level in a relevant healthcare environment (NHS or other).
• Experience of leading and managing projects in relevant commissioning functions as outlined in the ICB model blueprint.
• Knowledge of the health, care and local government landscape, including relevant legislation, policies and guidance, and an understanding of the social determinants of public health.

Strategy & Analysis

Essential

• A good understanding of current health and social care national aims and policy, and other determinants that impact on healthcare provision.
• Able to translate complex information into clear communications for a range of audiences, including to deliver effective reports to senior leadership.
• Good data analysis and interpretation skills involving highly complex data, including an understanding of analytical methods and how to use data to support Population Health Management.

Governance & Assurance

Essential

• A good understanding of effective corporate governance.
• Experience delivering projects that require collective decision-making and how to negotiate success in those situations.
• A good understanding of the route for decision making within the ICB.

People & Culture

Essential

• Experience in leading and motivating teams, including recognising and promoting talent, as well as appropriately dealing with under-performance, when necessary.
• Experience in compassionate leadership and promoting diversity, inclusion and equality of opportunity.
• A commitment to continuous improvement, organisation learning and achieving positive outcomes for all staff, patients, service users and carers working in line with the NHS People Promise.

Partnerships & Communities

Essential

• Able to represent the organisation credibly and positively in internal and external meetings.
• Experience working across organisational boundaries in the development and delivery of projects.
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills, challenging within areas of responsibility and escalating appropriately where necessary.

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to Masters level (relevant focus) or equivalent managerial experience
• Evidence of sustained commitment to continuing professional development

Person Specification Personal Attributes and Values Essential Personal commitment to the values of the NHS 10-year Plan, the NHS People Plan, the Nolan Principles, to championing equality, diversity and inclusion within the ICB and the wide health system. A high level of self-awareness and emotional intelligence, with an understanding of own strengths and limitations. Experience Essential Experience of working at a senior level in a relevant healthcare environment (NHS or other). Experience of leading and managing projects in relevant commissioning functions as outlined in the ICB model blueprint. Knowledge of the health, care and local government landscape, including relevant legislation, policies and guidance, and an understanding of the social determinants of public health. Strategy & Analysis Essential A good understanding of current health and social care national aims and policy, and other determinants that impact on healthcare provision. Able to translate complex information into clear communications for a range of audiences, including to deliver effective reports to senior leadership. Good data analysis and interpretation skills involving highly complex data, including an understanding of analytical methods and how to use data to support Population Health Management. Governance & Assurance Essential A good understanding of effective corporate governance. Experience delivering projects that require collective decision-making and how to negotiate success in those situations. A good understanding of the route for decision making within the ICB. People & Culture Essential Experience in leading and motivating teams, including recognising and promoting talent, as well as appropriately dealing with under-performance, when necessary. Experience in compassionate leadership and promoting diversity, inclusion and equality of opportunity. A commitment to continuous improvement, organisation learning and achieving positive outcomes for all staff, patients, service users and carers working in line with the NHS People Promise. Partnerships & Communities Essential Able to represent the organisation credibly and positively in internal and external meetings. Experience working across organisational boundaries in the development and delivery of projects. Strong influencing and negotiation skills, challenging within areas of responsibility and escalating appropriately where necessary. Qualifications Essential Educated to Masters level (relevant focus) or equivalent managerial experience Evidence of sustained commitment to continuing professional development

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Essex Integrated Care Board

Address

Seax House

Victoria Road South

Chelmsford

Essex

CM1 1QH

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.essex.icb.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Essex Integrated Care Board

Address

Seax House

Victoria Road South

Chelmsford

Essex

CM1 1QH

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.essex.icb.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)