About this role
Job summary
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Associate Director of Pharmacy - Clinical Services at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust. This is a key senior leadership role for an ambitious, innovative, and experienced pharmacist with strong strategic vision, advanced clinical expertise, and exceptional leadership skills.
The postholder will provide professional and operational leadership for Clinical Pharmacy Services across the Trust, driving medicines optimisation, patient safety, workforce development, education, and service transformation. Applicants will demonstrate outstanding communication and relationship-building skills, experience of leading complex clinical services, and the ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams and external organisations to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care.
Main duties of the job
The Associate Director of Pharmacy - Clinical Services will provide strategic and professional leadership for clinical pharmacy services across the Trust, acting as a key advisor to the Chief Pharmacist and deputising when required. The postholder will lead the planning, delivery, and continuous development of clinical pharmacy services, education, and workforce training to support Trust objectives, medicines optimisation, and patient safety priorities.
Working closely with senior clinical leaders and system partners, the role will drive service improvement, innovation, governance, and financial sustainability while ensuring delivery against key performance indicators and regulatory standards. The postholder will also lead the development of the clinical pharmacy workforce, support rotational training programmes, and promote a culture of continuous learning, quality improvement, and excellence in patient care
About us
Listen to why colleagues think we are a great place to work! - BHT - A great place to work (buckshealthcare.nhs.uk)
What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?
As part of our BHT family, you'll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression. We offer flexible and agile workingopportunities,alongside your NHS benefits ofgenerous annual leave entitlement, pension andaccess toNHS discount schemes. We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.
Why work for us?
We're committed to promoting inclusion and making sure all colleagues feel they belong. We encourage new colleagues from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply. As an employer, we aim to create a workplace where differences are valued and colleagues treat one another with dignity and respect. Greater diversity withinourBHT familyimprovespositive outcomes for the people and communities we serve. A keen supporter of the Armed Forces Community who know the value of employing a service leaver/veteran and their families. What do we stand for?
Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work. Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time. Our care values are collaborate, aspire, respect and enable.
Job description Job responsibilities
For a comprehensive list of responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to the Job Description and Person Specification by downloading the JD and PS attachment in the advert.
If you have a disability that makes submitting this online application difficult and would like assistance, please contact us on [email protected] quoting the vacancy reference number.
Person Specification
Values Essential
Communicates openly, honestly and professionally, and actively promotes team working and building strong working relationships. Patients are always first. Drives service improvements. Strong self-awareness with a desire to grow. Treats all with compassion and kindness. Ensures everyone feels valued. Consults others and listens to their views/opinions. Enables others to take the initiative.
Education, Qualifications & Training Essential
MPharm (Master's degree) or equivalent bachelor's degree. Member of the General Pharmaceutical Council (as registered Pharmacist) Postgraduate degree (Masters) in Pharmacy Practice or a related area or a portfolio demonstrating equivalent through experience at senior management level and relevant short courses taught at postgraduate level Completion of a formal leadership or management qualification (e.g., NHS Leadership Academy Programme, MBA, or equivalent). Commitment to continuous personal and professional development.
Desirable
Independent Prescriber.
Experience Essential
Extensive post-registration experience within a hospital or secondary care setting, demonstrating advanced clinical and professional competence. Experience of operating at consultant or equivalent level within multidisciplinary teams, influencing clinical decision-making across professions. Recent and sustained experience in a strategic or senior leadership role within pharmacy, with accountability for service performance, governance, and workforce development. Proven experience of working collaboratively with senior healthcare leaders (e.g., divisional directors, consultants, operational managers) to deliver Trust-wide service developments or transformation programmes. Substantial experience of managing large or complex teams, including responsibility for line management, performance appraisal, and professional development. Experience of strategic business planning, financial management, and project delivery. Demonstrable competence in human resource management, including workforce planning, recruitment, and managing complex performance issues. Proven track record in service improvement and change management, including the use of recognised quality improvement (QI) or Lean methodologies. Significant experience of conducting and supervising audit and service evaluation, and translating findings into measurable improvements in care quality, safety, or efficiency.
Desirable
Experience across a broad range of pharmacy services, demonstrating depth of expertise and ability to provide clinical assurance across multiple specialities.
Skills, Abilities & Knowledge Essential
Comprehensive knowledge of all relevant pharmacy legislation and regulations, including the Medicines Act, Human Medicines Regulations, and Controlled Drugs Regulations. Detailed understanding of GPhC Standards for Pharmacy Professionals and NHS clinical governance frameworks In-depth knowledge of national organisations and guidance influencing clinical pharmacy services (e.g. NHS England, NICE, CQC, MHRA, UKCPA, RPS). Demonstrable understanding of clinical governance, risk management, and quality improvement frameworks, including the use of audit, benchmarking, and incident learning to ensure safe and effective medicines use. Knowledge of Trust-wide and national policies relevant to pharmacy operations, including workforce, medicines safety, and information governance. Understanding of budgetary management, financial reporting, and cost improvement methodologies applicable to pharmacy services. Knowledge of pharmacy IT systems, including ePMA, electronic health records, and other digital tools supporting medicines optimisation. Understanding of medicines supply chain management, business continuity planning, and processes for managing national and local medicines shortages. Awareness of Integrated Care Systems (ICS) priorities, and the contribution of pharmacy leadership to system transformation, population health, and service integration Able to communicate highly complex and sensitive information on pharmacy operational, clinical, and financial matters clearly and persuasively to a range of audiences, including senior consultants, executive directors, and external partners. Demonstrates advanced negotiation and influencing skills to achieve consensus and drive change across multidisciplinary teams. Can provide expert advice on medicines optimisation and governance at Trust level. Produces high-quality written reports, business cases, and policy documents suitable for Board or Executive presentation. Delivers clear, engaging presentations using a range of digital and visual communication tools. Builds and maintains effective professional relationships across departments, local systems, and external agencies. Analyses and interprets highly complex clinical and financial data relating to medicines use, prescribing trends, and service performance to inform strategic decisions. Demonstrates advanced critical appraisal skills and the ability to translate evidence into practice at system level Provides authoritative expert advice on complex or contentious clinical and governance matters Leads service redesign and quality improvement initiatives that deliver measurable benefits in patient outcomes and system efficiency. Demonstrates advanced IT literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office, data analytics platforms, and digital prescribing systems. Maintains composure and effective decision-making under pressure and during organisational change. Formulates and implements long-term strategic plans for the development and transformation of pharmacy clinical services across the Trust
Desirable
Detailed understanding of GPhC Standards for Pharmacy Professionals and NHS clinical governance frameworks. Knowledge and understanding of the management of medical gases. Provides authoritative expert advice on complex or contentious clinical and governance matters. Embraces digital innovation and supports the implementation of emerging technologies within pharmacy practice. Adopts a reflective approach to leadership and personal development, contributing to a culture of continuous learning.
Special Circumstances Essential
Able to travel between hospital sites.
Desirable
Able to participate in the Weekend and Bank Holiday Service.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
Address Stoke Mandeville Hospital
Mandeville Road
Aylesbury
HP21 8AL
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://careers.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)