Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a strategic and compassionate operational leader to take on the role of Head of Sexual Health and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) across the South West.
About the Role
For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.
More detail about the role
This is a senior operational management role, responsible for overseeing the delivery, development, and performance of system wide sexual health services and SARCs across multiple sites. This will include subcontracting responsibility with our partners in Primary Care, Police and the third sector. You will work closely with clinical teams, safeguarding leads, commissioners, and external partners to ensure safe, effective, and trauma-informed care for all service users.
Key Responsibilities
· Provide operational leadership and strategic oversight of sexual health and SARC services across the region.
· Lead service transformation and improvement initiatives, ensuring alignment with NHS England and local council commissioning standards and local priorities.
· Ensure robust governance, safeguarding, and quality assurance processes are in place.
· Build and maintain strong partnerships with police, social care, voluntary sector, and public health teams.
· Manage budgets, contracts, and workforce planning to ensure sustainable and effective service delivery.
· Support a culture of positive staff wellbeing, training, and development across multidisciplinary teams.
About You
· Significant experience in operational management within healthcare, population health and integrated care, or public sector services.
· Proven leadership in complex whole system environments.
· Strong understanding of service commissioning, performance management, and partnership working.
· Excellent skills in negotiation, communication, stakeholder engagement, and change management.
· Creative vision and solution focussed approach
· Experience working within SARCs, sexual health, or forensic healthcare settings.
· Postgraduate qualification in healthcare leadership, public health, or contracting.
Interview Date: 25th September 2025
For further information please contact:Tony Layton, Care Group Associate Director, Clinical Specialist Serviceon01271 33783 or a.layton@nhs.net
As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
Preference will be given to staff with ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation TrustandNorthern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.
About Us
Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford). Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within people’s own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).
Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.
Our values are at the heart of everything we do, click here to find out more
It has never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as you will help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.
Looking after you is important to us.
We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.
If you are starting out in the NHS, you’ll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.
You will benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.
We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.
This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we will help you get there.
Salary is not the only financial benefit
You will have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers. You will also have access to other benefits including:
* National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
* Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter
* Car lease schemes.
* The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
* Cycle to work scheme
These are just a few of the benefits available – if the role is something you are interested in, we would love to hear from you.
1. Salary Band 8B: £64,455- £74,896 per annum pro rata
2. Frequency Annual
3. Vacancy Reference 185-1533-11390
4. Contract Type Permanent
5. Closing Date 18 September, 2025
6. Job Category Administration
7. Location Newcourt House, Newcourt Drive, Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
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