Head of Therapies(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

About the Opportunity

Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced and inspirational leader to join its Core Clinical Services Directorate as Head of Therapies.

This is a senior leadership position responsible for guiding the development of therapy services during an important period of organisational transformation. The successful candidate will play a central role in shaping how specialist therapies support children and young people receiving care at one of the world’s leading paediatric hospitals.

The role offers an opportunity to influence both clinical excellence and service innovation, ensuring therapy services continue to deliver exceptional outcomes for patients and families.

The Role in Context

The position has become available following the promotion of the current post holder to Chief Allied Health Professional (AHP).

As Head of Therapies, you will be a key member of the Core Clinical Services senior leadership team, providing strategic direction and operational oversight across the Trust’s therapy services.

You will lead and support multidisciplinary teams including:

• Physiotherapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech and Language Therapy
• Dietetics

Your leadership will help ensure therapy services remain integrated, patient-centred and aligned with the wider strategic priorities of the Trust and the NHS.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Provide senior leadership across therapy services within the Core Clinical Services Directorate.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of both clinical and operational strategies.
• Support large-scale transformation and service redesign initiatives.

Service Development and Innovation

• Lead programmes aimed at improving clinical quality and patient outcomes.
• Promote continuous improvement and evidence-based practice across therapy teams.
• Support workforce development and sustainable service planning.

Collaboration and Partnership

• Work closely with Heads of Profession, senior clinicians and executive leadership teams.
• Build partnerships with internal departments and external healthcare organisations.
• Represent therapies within wider Trust and NHS system initiatives.

Operational Management

• Ensure therapy services meet quality standards, regulatory expectations and operational targets.
• Support governance processes, including incident reviews and quality assurance frameworks.
• Manage resources effectively while maintaining safe and high-quality patient care.

Working at Great Ormond Street Hospital

Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is internationally recognised for providing highly specialised care to children with complex conditions.

The organisation is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and supportive workplace, where staff are encouraged to contribute ideas and develop their careers.

Employee networks play an important role in fostering inclusion and community within the organisation, including groups supporting:

• Race, ethnicity and cultural heritage
• Disability and long-term health conditions
• LGBTQ+ inclusion
• Women’s leadership and development

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

Applicants must have:

• A first degree or equivalent senior clinical or management experience
• Professional qualification in an Allied Health Profession (AHP) discipline
• Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council
• Evidence of ongoing professional development

Desirable Qualifications

• Master’s degree in healthcare, leadership or management
• Evidence of research activity or publication in peer-reviewed journals

Essential Experience

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Significant senior leadership experience within healthcare services
• Proven ability to lead organisational change and workforce engagement
• Experience working collaboratively with internal and external partners
• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks such as those monitored by the Care Quality Commission
• Experience delivering quality improvement programmes and maintaining patient safety standards
• Experience of workforce planning and service redesign

Desirable Experience

• Leadership of large-scale transformation projects within AHP services
• Experience managing services within complex healthcare systems

Skills and Capabilities

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong strategic leadership and team-development abilities
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-engagement skills
• Ability to develop and present clear business cases and operational proposals
• Analytical thinking and effective problem-solving skills
• Strong organisational and IT skills including data analysis and reporting
• Ability to lead confidently in high-pressure environments

Visa Sponsorship and Immigration Guidance

Applications are welcome from candidates who may require Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, subject to eligibility requirements.

Useful UK government resources include:

• Skilled Worker visa guidance
• Health and Care Worker visa route
• UK Visas and Immigration information
• Working in healthcare in the UK
• Criminal record checks for overseas healthcare applicants

These official resources provide guidance on immigration rules and requirements for healthcare professionals wishing to work in the United Kingdom.

Recruitment Process

Applicants are encouraged to submit their application early, as vacancies may close once sufficient applications have been received.

Only candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the essential criteria in the person specification will be shortlisted.