NHS Wales Operational Managers Development Programme
Delivering operational excellence together.
The NHS Wales Operational Managers Development Programme is a national leadership development programme commissioned by Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) on behalf of Welsh Government. Developed in response to recommendations from the Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) on NHS Performance and Productivity, the programme aims to strengthen operational leadership capability and establish a consistent approach to the development of operational managers across NHS Wales.
Operational managers play a critical role in delivering safe, effective and compassionate healthcare. They lead multidisciplinary teams, manage complex services, oversee operational performance and drive continuous improvement across the NHS.
As part of the Welsh Government remit for HEIW, the programme will be rolled out nationally, with the expectation that all operational managers in Bands 6–8a will complete the programme over the next two years. This represents a significant national investment in operational leadership and demonstrates a shared commitment to developing a confident, capable and connected operational management workforce across NHS Wales.
The programme has been designed and co-produced with operational leaders and subject matter experts from across NHS Wales, to support operational managers working across a range of clinical pathways, recognising both the shared leadership challenges experienced across NHS Wales and the unique demands of different service areas.
A national pilot involving operational managers from across Wales successfully tested the programme content, learning approach and participant experience. Feedback from participants helped shape the final programme, ensuring it delivers practical learning that can be applied immediately in the workplace while creating valuable opportunities for collaboration, networking and shared learning across organisations.
The programme is a requirement for all eligible colleagues working in operational management roles at Agenda for Change Bands 6–8a across NHS Wales within the following clinical pathways:
- Cancer services
- Diagnostics
- Mental health
- Outpatients
- Primary & community care
- Theatres
- Urgent & emergency care
The programme has been designed to bring operational managers together from across NHS Wales to:
- develop operational leadership capability;
- strengthen system-wide collaboration;
- build professional networks across organisations;
- share learning and best practice; and
- support improvements in operational delivery and patient outcomes.
The NHS Wales Operational Managers Development Programme will be delivered through a phased regional model, commencing in Autumn 2026. Delivery has been designed to maximise participation, strengthen collaboration and enable organisations to embed learning at scale within their local health and care systems.
The programme will be delivered sequentially across three geographical regions:
- Southeast Wales
- Southwest Wales
- North Wales
Each regional cohort will bring together operational managers from each of the health boards, WAST and Velindre, creating opportunities to build strong professional networks, share operational challenges and solutions and learn alongside colleagues working across the wider NHS Wales system.
Each cohort will experience a blended learning journey comprising virtual onboarding, in-person development workshops, virtual peer learning pods and a celebration event, providing participants with opportunities to learn, apply and reflect throughout the programme.
The first cohorts will commence in Autumn 2026.
If you are an operational manager within NHS Wales and would like receive updates about future cohorts, registration opportunities and programme developments, please complete the NHS Wales Operational Managers register form. By registering your interest, you’ll receive the latest information as the programme is rolled out across NHS Wales.
We are working closely with NHS Wales organisations to identify all eligible operational managers.
If you know of colleagues working in eligible operational management roles within the clinical pathways listed above at Agenda for Change Bands 6–8a please encourage them to also complete the Microsoft Form.
Together, we can strengthen operational leadership capability across NHS Wales, develop confident and connected operational managers, and support the delivery of safe, effective and sustainable healthcare for the people of Wales.
For further information please contact: HEIW.OperationalLeadership@wales.nhs.uk