224887 Innovation Project Manager

Job Description

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

We will fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long-term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.

To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service. Further information on what NHS Scotland Boards are required to do to check this as well as what your responsibilities include can be found in the further information for this vacancy.

Health Innovation South East Scotland (HISES) is an Innovation Hub set up by the Scottish Government Chief Scientists’ Office (CSO) which forms part of national network created to deliver the Government’s vision to utilise the innovation process to deliver a healthier and wealthier nation for the future.

The national network of Innovation Hubs allows innovative solutions to be tried out in a real-world environment and ensure they are fit for purpose – clinically, financially, and operationally – before being brought into wider use. They cover different aspects of NHS care from novel methods of managing long-term conditions, to digitising services, to integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning into care.

Formed through a collaboration of three NHS Boards- Borders, Fife, and Lothian, with the latter taking on the role of lead host Board, HISES has a pivotal role in developing and evaluating delivering innovative solutions.

This is a full-time permanent post (37 hours) based in NHS Lothian.

Base/Location: Westport (Hybrid working).

The main purpose of this post is to support the delivery of the HISES portfolio by managing innovation testbed projects through forming collaborations with industry, NHS, academic and third sector partners. The post holder will be part of the HISES team that works to ensure organisationally we deliver to the strategic objectives set out by the CSO.These may include submission of grant proposals to Innovate UK or similar body, and provision of testbeds for industry partners and life science companies.

We are looking for a highly motivated, innovative, and ambitious person to support the delivery of transformational and innovative change. The post holder will be a part of the core regional team based in NHS Lothian and will support this exciting programme of work. The post holder is expected to deliver complex clinically led innovation projects including Data Driven Innovation challenges.

Working as part of the HISES team and reporting to the Senior Innovation Programme Manager, the postholder will bring expertise in project management and enthusiasm for delivering and supporting creative, technological solutions to health and care challenges. Offering support, facilitation, progress monitoring and reporting will be core aspects of this role.

A background in digital healthcare, data science, innovation and project management would be beneficial. A keen interest in developing robust and novel solutions to key challenges is essential. This role would also be advantageous to a clinician looking to gain project management experience and develop these skills further.

You must have knowledge and understanding of the wider objectives of the NHS Scotland Innovation Programme, be able to influence others, and be able to develop and maintain effective working relationships with senior managers, project stakeholders, and with third party service providers from across Scotland and beyond.

The post requires considerable experience and awareness of service delivery in the NHS and with that the ability to work with senior level staff.

The post also requires a degree-level intellect, together with effective interpersonal and communication skills.

More information on the structure of the South East Region Innovation Hub and up-to-date team developments can be found on our website

Informal enquiries to:

Samantha Smith-Garrett, Senior Innovation Programme Manager at