Divisional Therapy Lead for the Therapy Directorate

Main duties of the job

Divisional leads will represent Therapies across a specific UHP Division, in partnership with the Therapy Heads of Service, provide independent assurance on the effectiveness of patient outcomes and governance as part of the Trusts Quality Management System and Accountability Framework. Gain overall assurance of professional governance, supervision, and clinical impact. Ensure compliance and regulatory readiness from a therapy perspective, reporting to the Trust Board's Quality and Workforce Committees.

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.

Details

• Date posted: 05 May 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 8b
• Salary: £64,455 to £74,896 a year Per Annum
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 216-AH-DA7706017-A
• Job locations: UHP NHS Trust - Derriford Hospital, Derriford Road, Plymouth, PL6 8DH

Job responsibilities

• Divisional coordination of relevant major services at Trust and system level.
• Accountable for delegated functions held at directorate and service level.
• Strategic planning development aligned with trust strategies, policies, procedures and values.
• Performance oversight, management and escalation.
• Independent validation of outcomes and effectiveness and identification of areas for further investment.
• Financial stewardship.
• Operational and strategic risk management and mitigation.
• Patients experience strategic planning.
• Co-production and implementation of a divisional annual plan.
• Delivery of contract services with commissioners.
• Lead on accreted union relationships
• Management of professional standards that may result in HCPC referrals
• Effective management of resources
• Deliver service improvement programmes to improve quality of services to patients
• To carry clinical caseload in designated speciality Senior or Specialist level (0.2wte of post).
• Working in a senior capacity within an appropriate clinical area. Ensuring continued personal clinical involvement and protected clinical time.

Person Specification

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• Demonstrable senior clinical and professional leadership experience at a Senior Therapies (Dietetics / OT / Physio/ SLT) level.
• Demonstrable varied and evidenced post graduate experience with board clinical experience working at a senior/specialist level within an acute clinical setting with up to date and relevant demonstrable clinical experience.
• Professional creditability/proven skill as Dietitian / OT / Physio / SLT at a senior level.
• In depth proven understanding of NHS developments, clinical governance and therapy issues.
• Demonstrable Experience of: Human Resources Processes, Handling clinical incidents and complaints, Clinical governance and Risk management, Budgetary management, Proven awareness of the NHS Agenda, national directives and all Governance aspects of health care, Proven awareness of equality and diversity
• Proven Management and Leadership skills, including effective people management.
• Demonstrable management experience within a therapy Department and high level of skill and experience of leading a therapy team.
• Proven evidence of ability to organise effective education programmes and high skill level in clinical supervision.

Desirable

• Previous demonstrate management experience at this level within an Acute Trust.
• Commitment to teach at post graduate level.
• Proven knowledge and understanding of application of health and social care eligibility criteria.

Qualifications

Essential

• HCPC Registered Therapies/ AHP Healthcare Professional
• Educated to Degree level: Dietitian / OT / Physio / SLT with further specialist professional qualifications at Master's level or equivalent.
• Management /Leadership training
• Formal/informal management training, e.g. disciplinary/grievance, recruitment and retention, effective appraisal, managing absence, finance and budget management
• Management /Leadership qualification or equivalent demonstrable experience
• Recognised Risk Assessors course
• Mentorship course or equivalent

Desirable

• Further formal professional study, postgraduate/ master's level in a healthcare related leadership.

Aptitude and Abilities

Essential

• Effective influencing and negotiating skills: in general, and with senior health care professionals
• Good communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity and effectiveness at all levels
• Able to work clinically with patients, undertaking the full range of clinical skills expected of a Registered Professional
• Ability / demonstrable experience of directing and instructing others

Employer details

Employer name: [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]

Address: UHP NHS Trust - Derriford Hospital, Derriford Road, Plymouth, PL6 8DH

Employer's website: https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/

Additional information

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.