Alexandra Manu
London,EN1 1FY
Summary
Extensive experience in healthcare sector supporting executive leaders and delivering national programmes focused on workforce initiatives and patient safety. Proven track record in strategic policy, programme, leadership, governance, and business operations, with expertise in managing private office functions and overseeing budgets. Skilled in communication, navigating complex, politically sensitive environments to drive decision-making and enhance stakeholder engagement. Holds a masters in Public Administration and qualifications in programme management, in addition to by strong analytical and operational management skills.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
13
13
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Professional Relationship Portfolio Lead
Workforce Training and Education, NHS England
London
2024.01 - Current
- Lead team supporting nursing, midwifery, medical and AHP functions within the WT&E Directorate, overseeing all business operations activity and line‑managing programme and business managers.
- Hold responsibility for budget management (£230m), governance, and compliance across functions, ensuring effective assurance and delivery.
- Lead professional and public stakeholder engagement, including regulators, trade unions, and senior colleagues within the Department of Health and Social Care.
- Work closely with senior leaders across NHS England, supporting delivery of major conferences, exhibitions, and national events.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders.
- Oversee preparation of outward‑facing correspondence and activity, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and alignment with programmes priorities.
- Manage internal communications across teams and provided high‑quality secretariat support to senior leaders.
- Operate effectively in highly sensitive and political environment, applying scrutiny and constructive challenge to decision‑making.
- Demonstrate strong upward management and influencing skills to support sound judgement and delivery.
Senior Advisor, Recovery Support Programme
NHS England, Chief Operating Officer's Directorate
London
2022.11 - 2024.01
- Led strategic and policy advice and provided senior private office support to the National Director and direct reports.
- Oversaw delivery of core business processes and coordinated work across teams to manage interdependencies and ensure alignment.
- Built and maintained trusted relationships with senior and high‑profile stakeholders in complex, politically sensitive environment.
- Ensured National Director and senior team were sighted on emerging risks, opportunities, and national policy developments, advising on strategy and influencing options.
- Acted as key liaison between the National Director, senior leaders, and internal and external stakeholders nationally
- Provided senior support on complex issues including complaints, FOIs, HR and legal matters.
- Ensured effective briefing and follow‑up for meetings with the Board, Executive Team, Secretary of State, and other senior stakeholders.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams to enhance outcomes.
- Played key role in organisational change, including the design and establishment of new functions.
Head of Deputy CEO and Chief Nursing Officer's Private Office
Nursing and Midwifery Directorate, Health Education England
London
2021.04 - 2023.12
- Led the private office function for the Chief Nursing Officer and DCEO, providing strategic advice and operational leadership on behalf of the CNO and senior leadership team.
- Contributed to national policy development and decision‑making, supporting delivery of major transformation programmes and priority initiatives:
- Provided strategic oversight and assurance across the portfolio, monitoring performance, risks, and delivery against agreed objectives.
- Oversaw high‑quality reporting and communications for senior and external audiences, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and fitness for purpose.
- Led information and data management across the portfolio, improving data quality and use in decision‑making.
- Held accountability for projects and budgets, contributing to financial planning and resource management.
- Managed and developed the private office team, leading recruitment , HR, and building a collaborative, high‑performing culture.
- Represented the CNO in sensitive and politically complex situations, managing senior stakeholder relationships and delivering difficult messages where required.
Head of Office - Office of the Director of NHS Operations and Delivery – Band 8B
Chief Operating Officer's Directorate, NHS England and NHS Improvement
2020.01 - 2021.04
- Provided strategic and operational support to the Director, leading directorate business management to enable delivery of priorities.
- Ensured effective running of the directorate, providing clear advice, oversight of key workstreams, and project management of time‑limited initiatives.
- Led private office and governance process improvement, defining current and future ways of working and overseeing implementation.
- Acted as senior internal and external lead for projects, initiatives, and services.
- Led finance, corporate paper commissions, and procurements, providing assurance on governance and resources.
- Led workforce, resourcing, and people matters, including recruitment, development, and wellbeing.
- Drove directorate strategy and performance management in close partnership with senior leadership team and counterparts in all 7 regions.
- Led private office function, creating inclusive, supportive, and high‑performing team.
Senior Business Manager - Band 8A
Operations and Delivery, Chief Operating Officer's NHS England and Improvement Directorate
London
2018.11 - 2019.12
- Held sole responsibility for core business functions for the Director, including directorate finance and corporate governance.
- Led commissioning and procurement activity, including scoping work on health services and resilience, translating outputs into delivery plans.
- Supported development of the annual business plan, business cases, and associated reports for internal and external assurance.
- Led benefits management across the directorate, demonstrating value for money through tracking, monitoring, and managing agreed benefits on behalf of the Director and Senior Management Team.
- Matched budgets to workforce and project plans, coordinating financial planning and monitoring expenditure to ensure budgetary balance.
- Supported commissioning of projects and procurement of services in line with Standing Financial Instructions.
- Provided financial reporting, analysis, and strategic briefings to Directors and senior stakeholders, highlighting risks and exceptions and advising on mitigating action.
- Recruited, managed, and developed the Business Coordinator/Manager.
Business Manager - Band 7
Operations and Information Directorate, NHS England and Improvement
2017.01 - 2018.11
- Supported the senior leadership team to ensure the portfolio of tasks and projects was effectively planned, managed, and delivered.
- Coordinated senior management meetings, leading administration, agenda planning, and tracking delivery of actions.
- Managed senior diary coordination and meeting preparation, liaising with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective briefing and readiness.
- Supported resource planning, monitoring, implementation, and evaluation of projects through high‑quality analysis, communications, and stakeholder management.
- Ensured clear and timely communication across organisations, researching and drafting correspondence and papers, and leading reporting and analysis across multiple functions and projects.
Business Coordinator - Band 6
Chief Operating Officer's Directorate, London Region, NHS England
2016.06 - 2016.12
- Acted as first point of contact for the private office, providing high‑quality administrative support to the Chief Operating Officer's Senior Management Team (London Region).
- Managed the Chief Operating Officer's diary, coordinating meetings and ensuring effective prioritisation of commitments.
- Prepared and managed overnight briefing packs, and coordinated travel, accommodation, and logistics for senior meetings and events.
- Provided administrative support across project, HR, and finance processes for directorate workstreams.
- Coordinated internal and external meetings, ensuring effective organisation, communication, and follow‑up.
Personal Assistant – Director of NHS Patient Safety - Band 5
Nursing Directorate, NHS Commissioning Board/ NHS England
2012.11 - 2016.06
- First point of contact for the Director of Patient Safety, and provision of admin support to the directorate's Leadership Team
- Managing director's commitments and co-ordinating internal and external meetings.
- Liaising with private offices across Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England, Public Health England and other Arm's Length bodies
- Provision of project, HR and Finance processes support for workstreams in the directorate.
- Co-organising busy recruitment campaigns with recruitment agencies and human resources, driving process to achieve outcomes such as sifting applications to make shortlists, co-ordinating panel members, organising venues, accommodation, arranging feedback.
Health Improvement Support Worker – Band 3
Public Health Outreach, NHS Camden
2012.01 - 2012.11
- First point of contact for and provision of admin support Public Health, Health Improvement Outreach Team
- Coordination of patient referrals to and from community services, working alongside established health networks, GPs and centres across Camden.
- To outreach and support Camden Borough residents to enable them to participate in their annual health checks and support with their personal health action plan
Education
MSc - Public Administration
University of Birmingham
United Kingdom 2022.01 - 2025.01
BA - Politics with International Relations
University of Essex
2007.01 - 2010.01
10 GCSEs and 3 A-Levels -
St. Anne's Catholic High School for Girls
London 2000.01 - 2007.01
Skills
- Strategic and operational leadership
- Programme, transformation, and project delivery
- Business planning, resource, and financial management
- Governance, risk, and compliance
- Executive and senior leadership support
- Stakeholder engagement across sectors
- Communication skills
- Performance management and management reporting
- Policy development and briefing
- Workforce planning, recruitment, and people management
- Problem‑solving in complex, politically sensitive environments
Certification
- 2026 Lean Sigma Improvement Methodology
- 2021 APM Programme Management, APMG International
- 2017 Managing Successful Programmes Foundation & Practitioner, APMG International
- 2018 Line Management Development Programme, NHS England.
- 2015 Prince 2 Foundation & Practitioner, APMG International
VOLUNTEERING AND OTHER INTERESTS
Strong commitment to equality, community impact, and supporting others to develop:
- Volunteered at a Community Legal Advice Centre, supporting access to free legal advice and providing paralegal support to pro bono lawyers.
- Fundraised for the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund on World AIDS Day, raising awareness of HIV/AIDS and supporting community resilience.
- Provide informal coaching and career development support to peers, including mentoring, CV feedback, and guidance on career progression.
- Currently an NHS Volunteer Responder, supporting vulnerable people in the community.
Languages
English
Native
Accomplishments
- Designed and launched the Chief Nursing Officer's Student Award, creating a new national recognition programme from concept to delivery, including governance, stakeholder engagement, communications, and end‑to‑end programme management.
- Led a major change programme delivering a 30% efficiency saving, streamlining business operations, strengthening governance, and improving performance management across the directorate.
- Led a national diagnostic review of nursing and midwifery education quality and accountability, with findings directly informing current transition activity and the design of future assurance and governance structures.
- Supported executive leaders to deliver high‑profile national programmes, including workforce transformation, vaccine deployment, patient safety, and large‑scale recovery initiatives.
- Strengthened governance and business operations by implementing robust systems for data quality, reporting, risk management, and compliance across multiple national portfolios.
- Invested in mentoring and development of peers, supporting increased confidence, capability, and progression into more senior roles.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Professional Relationship Portfolio Lead
Workforce Training and Education, NHS England
2024.01 - Current
Senior Advisor, Recovery Support Programme
NHS England, Chief Operating Officer's Directorate
2022.11 - 2024.01
MSc - Public Administration
University of Birmingham
2022.01 - 2025.01
Head of Deputy CEO and Chief Nursing Officer's Private Office
Nursing and Midwifery Directorate, Health Education England
2021.04 - 2023.12
Head of Office - Office of the Director of NHS Operations and Delivery – Band 8B
Chief Operating Officer's Directorate, NHS England and NHS Improvement
2020.01 - 2021.04
Senior Business Manager - Band 8A
Operations and Delivery, Chief Operating Officer's NHS England and Improvement Directorate
2018.11 - 2019.12
Business Manager - Band 7
Operations and Information Directorate, NHS England and Improvement
2017.01 - 2018.11
Business Coordinator - Band 6
Chief Operating Officer's Directorate, London Region, NHS England
2016.06 - 2016.12
Personal Assistant – Director of NHS Patient Safety - Band 5
Nursing Directorate, NHS Commissioning Board/ NHS England
2012.11 - 2016.06
Health Improvement Support Worker – Band 3
Public Health Outreach, NHS Camden
2012.01 - 2012.11
BA - Politics with International Relations
University of Essex
2007.01 - 2010.01
10 GCSEs and 3 A-Levels -
St. Anne's Catholic High School for Girls
2000.01 - 2007.01