Job overview
We are seeking a dynamic and forward-thinking Consultant Dermatologist to take on the pivotal role of Clinical Lead for Dermatology on a Fixed Term contract for 6 months from start date. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced clinician who is passionate about service development, innovation, and clinical excellence to help shape the future of Dermatology services within our Trust.
As Clinical Lead, you will play a key role in setting the strategic direction of the service, working closely with the Clinical Director and divisional leadership to ensure the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred care. You will be responsible for leading clinical governance, driving performance against key targets, and championing improvements in clinical outcomes, research, training, and education.
This is a leadership role that will suit someone with excellent communication and organisational skills, a collaborative approach, and a strong commitment to quality improvement. You will also lead on consultant job planning and leave management within the directorate, supporting workforce development and ensuring optimal service delivery.
If you are looking for a leadership role where your clinical expertise and vision can truly make a difference, we would love to hear from you. Join us in driving excellence and innovation in Dermatology.
Main duties of the job
As Clinical Lead, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of the Dermatology service, ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality, and patient-centred care. Working collaboratively with nursing and operational leads, you’ll be responsible for overseeing service development, clinical governance, performance, and workforce planning.
You will foster strong multidisciplinary relationships, lead on the implementation of service improvements, and champion effective clinical pathways across the Trust. The role requires a confident and visible leader with excellent communication skills, who can manage change, influence at senior levels, and support both clinical and operational excellence.
Key duties include consultant job planning, performance monitoring, education and development oversight, and the alignment of service delivery with Trust-wide goals. You'll engage in monthly performance, governance, and operational meetings, contributing to financial planning and sustainability efforts, while actively promoting a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Dermatology Clinical Lead will provide strategic clinical leadership across the Dermatology service, ensuring high-quality, safe, and sustainable care in line with national standards. This role is essential to driving recovery, performance, governance, and transformation across University Hospitals Sussex.
Demonstrating Personal Qualities
1. Uphold the highest standards of professional integrity, clinical competence, and leadership behaviour.
2. Promote a culture of continuous learning, self-reflection, and personal development.
3. Act as a visible and approachable clinical leader, modelling compassionate and inclusive leadership.
4. Provide mentorship and guidance to junior clinicians and multi-disciplinary staff.
Working with Others
5. Foster effective working relationships with consultants, nurses, managers, and administrative teams.
6. Promote team collaboration, resolving conflict constructively and building shared goals.
7. Engage with external stakeholders including commissioners, GPs, and regional dermatology networks to shape integrated pathways.
Managing Services
8. Provide clinical leadership in the operational delivery of high-quality dermatology services across all sites.
9. Support effective workforce planning, recruitment, and professional development.
10. Monitor and manage performance against national standards and implement remedial actions where required.
11. Work with service managers and divisional leads to ensure delivery of safe and efficient care within allocated resources.
12. Support the Dermatology Governance Lead in Governance meetings and on compliance with CQC, NICE, and Trust-wide standards.
13. Act as escalation point for complex clinical or operational issues affecting service quality or safety.
Service Improvement
14. Lead and drive the Dermatology service recovery programme.
15. Design and implement service improvement initiatives that increase capacity, streamline pathways, and improve patient experience.
16. Use data and audits to identify gaps, risks, and areas for improvement in quality or efficiency.
17. Support the development of business cases for new models of care, workforce roles, or digital innovation.
18. Encourage innovation in clinical practice and support staff in leading change.
Setting Direction
19. Develop and deliver a long-term strategic vision for Dermatology aligned with national policy and Trust strategy.
20. Lead the development of a Dermatology strategy, incorporating research, sustainability, and patient engagement.
21. Interpret national policy and guidance (e.g., GIRFT, NHS Long-Term Plan) and apply them locally to shape services.
22. Influence local and regional commissioning discussions by representing clinical priorities and service needs.
23. Provide clinical input into annual planning, capacity modelling, and demand forecasting.
Additional Duties
24. Oversee clinical risk management and serious incident (SI) reviews, embedding learning into practice.
25. Act as the lead clinical contact for external inspections or audits.
26. Champion a culture of safety, transparency, and high-quality patient outcomes.
27. Lead clinical elements of digital transformation projects, including improvements to EPR and PAS functionality.
28. Support recruitment and retention of clinicians, including development of job plans and appraisal support.
Key Relationships
29. Dermatology Consultants and Nursing Teams
30. Service and Operational Managers
31. Matron and Allied Health Professionals
32. Divisional Clinical Director
33. Clinical Governance and Quality Teams
34. Commissioners and ICBs
35. Medical Education Leads and Academic Partners
Person specification
Essential
Essential criteria
36. GMC registration and inclusion on the Specialist Register for Dermatology
37. Significant consultant-level experience in Dermatology
38. Demonstrated leadership in clinical governance, education, or service improvement
39. Experience in managing or leading clinical teams
40. Strong communication, influencing, and negotiation skills
41. In-depth understanding of NHS access standards and performance metrics
Desirable criteria
42. Qualification or training in medical leadership or management (e.g., PGCert, MBA)
43. Experience in research, innovation, or digital transformation
44. Involvement in strategic planning or commissioning
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications