Job Description
Position Overview
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced healthcare leader to join its senior management team as Head of Therapies. This is a strategic leadership position responsible for guiding the development and transformation of therapy services within the Core Clinical Services Directorate.
The successful candidate will play a critical role in shaping the future of therapy services for children and young people receiving specialist care at the hospital. This role will involve leading multidisciplinary therapy teams while ensuring services remain innovative, high-quality and aligned with national healthcare standards.
Leadership Role and Strategic Impact
This role sits within the Core Clinical Services Senior Leadership Team and is central to the delivery of therapy services across the hospital.
The Head of Therapies will provide senior leadership across several Allied Health Professional (AHP) disciplines, including:
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech and Language Therapy
- Dietetics
Working closely with the Chief of Service and Heads of Profession, the role will contribute to strategic planning, workforce development, and service transformation across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be responsible for both operational management and strategic development of therapy services. Main responsibilities include:
Providing strategic leadership to the hospital’s therapy workforce
- Supporting innovation and transformation of therapy services
- Ensuring services meet quality, safety and regulatory standards
- Leading workforce planning, professional development and staff engagement
- Working collaboratively with senior clinicians and external partners
- Managing resources and budgets effectively while maintaining high standards of care
- Promoting continuous quality improvement across therapy services
- Supporting major organisational programmes and service redesign initiatives
The postholder will also contribute to broader hospital priorities, ensuring therapy services align with the wider strategy of the NHS.
About the Organisation
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust is internationally recognised for its specialist paediatric care, research and innovation.
The organisation is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive working environment. Staff are encouraged to participate in professional and social networks that promote equality, diversity and staff wellbeing.
These initiatives support collaboration and ensure that the hospital benefits from a wide range of perspectives and experiences.
Essential Qualifications
Applicants must demonstrate strong academic and professional credentials.
Required:
- A first degree or equivalent clinical or senior management experience
- Professional qualification in an Allied Health Professional (AHP) discipline
- Current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council
- Evidence of ongoing continuing professional development (CPD)
- Significant experience in professional leadership roles within healthcare
Desirable:
- Master’s degree in healthcare, leadership or management
- Research involvement with publications in peer-reviewed journals
- Experience and Professional Background
Essential Experience
Candidates should demonstrate:
- Senior leadership experience within healthcare services
- Proven involvement in organisational change or service improvement programmes
- Experience working with regulatory bodies such as the Care Quality Commission
- Evidence of improving clinical safety and service quality
- Workforce planning and service redesign experience
- Experience investigating and managing serious incidents in healthcare
Desirable Experience
- Leading transformational change within Allied Health Professional services
- Senior operational leadership within complex healthcare organisations
Key Skills and Competencies
The role requires a leader with strong interpersonal, analytical and strategic capabilities.
Successful candidates should demonstrate:
- Strong leadership and team development skills
- Ability to prepare and present strategic business proposals
- Strategic thinking and long-term service planning ability
- Effective communication with senior clinical and managerial staff
- Ability to analyse complex operational information
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong IT and data analysis skills
Commitment to Equality and Inclusion
The Trust actively encourages applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, disabled individuals and members of LGBTQ+ communities.
Creating a diverse workforce helps strengthen innovation and ensures the hospital can deliver the highest quality care to patients and families.
Immigration and Employment Guidance
Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK. In some cases, Skilled Worker visa sponsorship may be available, depending on eligibility and immigration rules.
Helpful government resources for applicants include:
Additional Information
- The Trust is an accredited Living Wage Employer.
- The closing date may change if sufficient applications are received early.
- Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.
