Head of Pharmacy Manufacturing(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

Role Overview

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced pharmacy professional to lead its Aseptic Manufacturing Service as Head of Pharmacy Manufacturing.

This senior leadership role will oversee the safe and compliant preparation of sterile medicines, including chemotherapy and other specialised treatments for children. The successful candidate will guide a multidisciplinary team and help shape the future of pharmaceutical manufacturing at the hospital.

The pharmacy department at GOSH is undergoing major service modernisation, with digital transformation and infrastructure improvements aimed at delivering advanced care to paediatric patients.

Service and Operational Responsibilities

The Pharmacy Manufacturing unit operates under a Manufactured Specials (MS) licence, producing more than 10,000 patient-specific doses annually through its Cytotoxic and CIVAS aseptic units.

As Head of Pharmacy Manufacturing, you will:

• Lead daily operations of aseptic medicine preparation and sterile production services
• Ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and other regulatory frameworks
• Manage a multidisciplinary team of pharmacists, technicians, and technical operators
• Provide expert pharmaceutical guidance on manufacturing processes and drug dose design
• Support clinical trials and specialised treatments for NHS, international and private patients
• Develop digital systems and workflow improvements across the aseptic pathway
• Oversee quality assurance and continuous service improvement initiatives

This role will also play a key part in the new Children’s Cancer Centre development, including planning and commissioning a modern cytotoxic manufacturing facility.

Leadership and Strategic Impact

The successful candidate will contribute at a senior organisational level by:

• Leading regulatory compliance and inspections
• Supporting innovation in pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Driving improvements in the Quality Management System (QMS)
• Collaborating with clinical, technical and research teams
• Promoting digital solutions such as closed-loop medication systems
• Supporting the future workforce through training and development

Qualifications and Professional Registration

Essential

• Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
• Diploma or MSc in Pharmacy Practice, PTQA, or equivalent professional experience
• Significant experience in aseptic manufacturing including chemotherapy, CIVAS or parenteral nutrition
• Strong knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and clinical research governance
• Experience working with regulatory inspections such as MHRA audits

Desirable

• Postgraduate certificate in pharmacy or clinical practice
• Experience in planning or commissioning pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities
• Project management experience

Skills and Competencies

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Leadership and staff development skills
• Strong communication with multidisciplinary healthcare teams
• Strategic thinking and ability to influence senior stakeholders
• Effective organisational and time-management abilities
• Analytical problem-solving skills
• Commitment to quality improvement and patient safety

Working at Great Ormond Street Hospital

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust is one of the world’s leading centres for paediatric healthcare and research.

The organisation is committed to diversity, equality and inclusion, and encourages applications from candidates from all backgrounds. Staff are supported through professional networks focused on ethnicity, disability, LGBTQ+ inclusion and gender equality.

These initiatives help ensure that every employee’s perspective is valued while improving the care delivered to children and families.

Visa and Regulatory Guidance

International applicants may be eligible for UK work sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route if they meet the immigration requirements and receive an offer from an approved employer.

Useful government resources:

• Check Skilled Worker visa eligibility
• Understand Skilled Worker visa job requirements
• Guidance on costs for the Skilled Worker visa
• Apply for manufacturer or wholesaler medicines licences (MHRA)
• MHRA guidance on manufacturing and GMP licensing processes

These resources provide official information on UK pharmaceutical regulation, immigration sponsorship, and professional compliance.

 Application Advice
Candidates should ensure their application clearly demonstrates how their qualifications and experience meet the person specification, particularly in aseptic manufacturing leadership, regulatory compliance, and service development.

Early applications are recommended as recruitment may close before the stated deadline if sufficient applications are received.