Visa sponsorship evidence
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.
From the employer's advert, checked 26 October 2026.
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is on the Home Office register of licensed sponsors as “Bristol NHS Foundation Trust” (Skilled Worker). Register checked 23 October 2026.
About the job
Job summary
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is developing an ambitious innovation function to help staff turn ideas into improvements for patients, colleagues and communities. We are seeking an Innovation Programme Manager to join the team on a fixed-term basis to provide maternity cover.
This is an exciting opportunity to help shape innovation across one of the South West's largest NHS organisations. You will support the processes, partnerships and programmes needed to identify, evaluate, adopt and scale innovations that improve outcomes, productivity and organisational performance.
Working with clinical and non-clinical teams, senior leaders, patients, industry and academic partners, you will support innovators through evaluation, funding, governance, intellectual property and implementation. You will also contribute to business cases, reports, policies and assurance processes that support effective decision-making and demonstrate impact.
We welcome applications from individuals with experience in innovation, improvement, technology adoption, partnerships or programme delivery. Candidates may come from the NHS, industry, academia, start-ups, innovation hubs or other relevant sectors. Most importantly, you will be collaborative, proactive and able to translate ideas into practical change.
If you are passionate about improving health and care through innovation and confident working with diverse stakeholders, we would welcome your application.
Main duties of the job
The Innovation Programme Manager will support the development and delivery of Bristol NHS Foundation Trust's innovation function, helping turn ideas into improvements in patient care, staff experience and organisational performance.
Working with staff, clinical teams and external partners, the postholder will support innovations through evaluation, adoption and implementation, providing advice on governance, funding, intellectual property, procurement, commercialisation and delivery.
The role will manage a portfolio of innovation projects and programmes, developing plans, monitoring risks and benefits, preparing reports and business cases, and providing updates to senior leaders and governance groups. The postholder will work closely with colleagues across clinical services, research and development, improvement, finance, procurement and communications, alongside external partners.
The successful candidate will contribute to innovation policies, reporting and assurance processes, ensuring activity is evidence-based, well governed and aligned with Trust priorities. They will also help foster a positive innovation culture through staff engagement, learning activities and network development.
This is an opportunity to help shape innovation across the Trust, working with a wide range of stakeholders to translate ideas into measurable impact. The role requires a proactive, collaborative individual who can manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment.
About us
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations,operatingfrom three main sites at Southmead, Bristol citycentreand Weston.
With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that theSouth Westhas to offer.
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retaina workforce whichrepresentsthe rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your applicationin order toensurewe'remeeting our pledge.
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the detailed job description for the main duties and responsibilities, along with the highlighted areas in the 'main duties of the job section'.
Job description
Advert text from Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, published on NHS Jobs. Read the original advert.
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