Hello, I'm Karen

Programme Management Professional

Driving change across the NHS,
local government & public sector.

An organised, client-oriented, and forward-thinking individual skilled at managing multiple complex programmes, analysing data, and prioritising conflicting demands. Adept in risk management, change management, and operational delivery with a strong track record of stakeholder engagement at all levels.

I bring Agile and Scrum disciplines to cross-functional teams, ensuring transparency, continuous improvement, and delivery of expected outcomes within politically sensitive and complex environments.

15+
Years in Public Sector
NHS & Gov
Domain Expertise
PSM I
Certified Scrum Master
PSPO
Certified Product Owner

Employment History

NHS England (NHS Digital Merged)

National Surveys, Operational Delivery Manager

Apr 2022 – Jul 2023
  • Collaborated on national research initiatives by facilitating cross-functional teams across a continuous flow of surveys.
  • Managed operational delivery, risk, benefits, finance, commercial activities, procurement, and stakeholder engagement within a Matrix Organisation.
  • Fostered transparent communication in a complex and politically sensitive environment, negotiating Service Level Agreements and customer needs.
  • Led planning, coordination, and management of intricate interdependent activities, allocating resources to achieve defined service milestones.
  • Drove team-wide processes, policies, and procedures across multiple business disciplines, embedding continuous improvement culture.
  • Oversaw financial budget responsibility including accurate financial reporting, forecasting, and tracking against plans.
Programme Management Risk Management Stakeholder Engagement Financial Reporting Procurement
UK Health Security Agency

Services Onboarding Manager

Feb 2022 – Mar 2022
  • Drove the implementation of a full onboarding and transition plan for 75+ private providers and 600+ Point of Care Testing providers.
  • Collaborated with Diagnostic Data Team, IT Services, Testing Operations, and the Private Provider Testing division.
  • Onboarded private provider labs to new technology APIs and alternative reporting methods.
  • Ensured alignment of business plan, budgets, KPIs, and Risk Management reporting.
  • Led streamlining and continuous improvement of existing onboarding processes.
Change Management Process Improvement API Onboarding KPI Management
Swindon Borough Council

Interim Public Health Business Manager (Consultant)

Aug 2021 – Nov 2021
  • Developed a Public Health business plan aligned with SBC's ambitions for modern, efficient, and effective services.
  • Reviewed and developed the PH business continuity and emergency plan.
  • Developed a contract register to monitor lifecycle and spend of commissioned works in compliance with Contract Standing Orders.
  • Created risk management process log and RAID for the PH department.
  • Developed a staff competency framework in line with Swindon's workforce principles and budget constraints.
Business Planning RAID Management Contract Management Workforce Development
Berkshire West Public Health & Shared Team, Reading Borough Council

Business Manager, Part-time (Interim)

Mar 2021 – Jul 2021
  • Led the Berkshire West Public Health Team, providing programme management support across 3 Local Authorities.
  • Managed commissioning budgets of approximately £3m, overseeing legal processes and governance.
  • Drove improvements in commissioned service value through innovation and collaboration with Integrated Care Systems.
  • Provided line management and leadership to commissioning support officers.
Budget Management Commissioning Governance ICS Collaboration
Quality Trusted Solution (QTS), London

Business Manager

Jan 2021 – Jun 2021
  • Ensured business performance aligned with parent company (CNWL) and partner organisations.
  • Developed and implemented processes and infrastructure to achieve QTS business objectives.
  • Carried out HR/People Services functions — staff competency frameworks, job descriptions, and disciplinary processes.
  • Led on marketing materials and business brand identity across service lines.
  • Managed sales pipeline and bid submissions, reviewing for commercial viability, risk, and due diligence.
  • Set up internal and external recording and reporting systems fulfilling statutory compliance obligations.
HR Management Business Development Brand Management Sales Pipeline Compliance
Westminster City Council, London — Policy, Performance & Communication Directorate

Business Services Lead & Office Manager

Jul 2018 – Sep 2020
  • Line management of 3 support officers including coaching, mentoring, sickness monitoring, and task supervision.
  • Collaborated with HR on formal employee relations, recruitment including senior and executive roles, onboarding, and staff budgetary management.
  • Managed directorate budgetary forecasting, tracking spends, and recommending improvements.
  • Identified key business opportunities to improve operational productivity and strategic alignment.
  • Introduced a training programme to enhance and upskill staff following a skills audit.
  • Championed council's approach to improving services and shared best practice across teams.
Line Management Budget Forecasting Operations L&D
Ms Estates, London

Operations Manager (Interim)

Sep 2017 – Jun 2018
  • Streamlined business priorities and administrative functions, identifying business development opportunities.
  • Introduced Enterprise Risk Management frameworks (ERMs) to identify, manage, and track risks and dependencies.
  • Implemented new office processes and standardised job descriptions across multiple branches.
  • Organised GDPR training across the organisation ensuring full staff compliance.
Risk Frameworks Operations GDPR Business Development
Kent County Council — Public Health Department

Public Health Programme Manager

Apr 2013 – Jul 2017
  • Led falls prevention programmes and other assigned projects across Kent, ensuring effective development and implementation.
  • Researched, identified, and analysed population health needs across Kent communities and stakeholder groups.
  • Led learning disabilities projects, including a Bowel Screening Programme for people with learning disabilities in Kent.
  • Presented complex data to the Kent Health and Wellbeing Board, CCGs, and community meetings at board level.
  • Led the procurement process for commissioning Falls Programmes and Postural Stability Classes.
Public Health Programme Management Needs Assessment Procurement
West Kent Primary Care Trust — Public Health Department

Public Health Practitioner & Co-Ordinator

Nov 2011 – Mar 2013
  • Project managed and commissioned the postural stability programme in West Kent with full governance procedures.
  • Identified funding through writing business cases and applying for bids.
  • Provided evidence-based guidance on postural stability programmes to GPs, local authorities, and community groups.
Commissioning Business Cases Public Health
NHS Medway Primary Care Trust — Corporate Affairs Directorate

Project Manager

Jan 2011 – Oct 2011
  • Managed formal Board committees, work programme, and business cycles, compiling reports for Board meetings.
  • Developed, implemented, monitored, and maintained risk registers with monthly Board reporting.
  • Lead contact for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at Medway Council on behalf of the Chief Executive.
Corporate Governance Risk Registers Board Reporting
NHS Medway Primary Care Trust

Mental Health Commissioning Officer

Mar 2010 – Dec 2010
  • Contributed to service reviews and redesign with providers, identifying service development needs.
  • Supported GPs in improving patient and public involvement in mental health service delivery.
  • Contributed to integrated health and social care commissioning for mental health service users.
Mental Health Commissioning Service Redesign
Earlier Roles

Assistant Operations Manager / Office Manager / Public Health Project Officer

2007 – 2010
  • Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust — Assistant Operations Manager, Private Patients & Overseas Visitor / Fundraising (Oct 2009 – Feb 2010)
  • Moorfield Eye Hospital — Office Manager, Optometry Department (Nov 2008 – Sep 2009)
  • Islington Primary Care Trust — Public Health Project Officer, Public Health Department (Jan 2007 – Oct 2008)

Core Competencies

Programme & Project Management

Programme Management Project Management Agile / Scrum Scrum Master Product Owner Planning & Engagement

Operations & Change

Operational Management Change Management Transformational Programmes Continuous Improvement Process Design

Finance & Governance

Budget Management Financial Reporting Forecasting Procurement Contract Management Risk Management

People & Leadership

Leadership Line Management Coaching & Mentoring HR & Governance Workforce Management Collaborative Working

Stakeholder & Communications

Stakeholder Management Relationship Building Written Communication Board Reporting Negotiation

Technology & Tools

Microsoft Office Suite SBS & SPS Platforms Data Analysis KPI Reporting GDPR Compliance

Education

Postgraduate Diploma
Brunel University London
Public Health & Health Promotion
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
London South Bank University
Public Administration
Postgraduate Diploma
University of Hull
Management Studies

Professional Certifications

Professional Scrum Master (PSM I)
Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO)
References available on request