Job summary
This is an exciting time to join the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK, providing care for more than 1.6 million people each year across our four main hospital sites: the Royal Free Hospital, Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital and North Middlesex Hospital.

We are seeking an experienced, dynamic and forward-thinking therapist to join the Therapy Services Senior Leadership Team. The successful candidate will play a key role in leading service improvement initiatives, driving innovation, and supporting the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred care. They will work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to ensure services are effective, efficient, and aligned with best practice, while maintaining strong professional and clinical governance standards.

Main duties of the job
Therapy Services at the Royal Free London has a strong culture of continuous improvement, using quality improvement methodology to enhance patient care and service delivery. We actively support research-informed practice and are at the forefront of workforce innovation. Working alongside an experienced team of clinical leaders and senior managers, the post holder will lead strategic and operational developments that improve patient outcomes, strengthen staff engagement, and promote wellbeing across Therapy Services. The role offers a unique opportunity to influence practice across a large and diverse organisation while gaining valuable experience in operational management, leadership, service transformation and workforce development.

We welcome applications from experienced clinicians with management experience registered in one of the Allied Health Professions represented within Therapy Services, including:

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

This is an excellent opportunity to develop your leadership, strategic planning and project management skills while working closely with therapy teams across the Trust.

About us
The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's biggest and most innovative trusts. Across three main hospitals, our dedicated army of staff care for over 1.6million patients, treat more than 200,000 in A&E, deliver over 8,000 babies and carry out more than 17million tests.

Our size, scale and influence offer you unrivalled career opportunities and a forward-thinking approach to working that works around your lifestyle. From flexible hours and generous benefits, to next level training, we make it easier to take your career to the top.

People enjoy working with us because we are values-driven and a person centred trust that cares about the community. We also have a strong commitment to staff wellbeing and development.

Details
Date posted: 05 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £66,274 to £73,496 a year per annum pro rata inclusive of HCAS
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 19 months
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 391-RFL-8210759-A
Closing date: 22 November 2026

Person Specification
Essential

• Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust shared commitments.
• Relevant AHP degree/diploma (PT; OT; DT; SaLT; Pod)
• Evidence or portfolio of continued development; professional and/or leadership
• Computer skills with an advanced knowledge of Microsoft PowerPoint, Word and Excel
• Awareness of current health issues with a breadth of understanding to predict how these will impact on patient services
• Project management skills
• Able to embrace and lead change
• Evidence of effective communication and working with clinicians, multidisciplinary teams and other agencies
• Able to document information accurately
• Committed to personal and team development
• Understanding of national NHS policy and targets
• Ability to analyse highly complex and sensitive information, from a broad range of sources and producing options appraisal for consideration
• Able to lead, manage and work as a team member
• Able to maintain judgement and make decisions under pressure
• Well organised and practical with a logical, analytical approach to work.
• Highly effective interpersonal skills
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Punctual and reliable
• Positive and motivated

Desirable

• Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration for profession
• Demonstrates ability to study at Masters level
• Knowledge of QI methodology
• Experience of project management and ability to work to deadlines

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
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.

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

Employer details
Employer name: Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, Hampstead, NW3 2QG, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website

For questions about the job, contact: Head of Therapy Services, Andrea Francis, andreafrancis1@nhs.net, 02078302553

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice is available on the Trust website.