Overview
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.
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 includes subcontracting responsibility with 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.
As a key member of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, you will help shape services as we continue along our integration journey.
Details
Date posted: 28 August 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
Band: Band 8b
Salary: £64,455 to £74,896 a year pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Location: Newcourt House, Newcourt Drive, Exeter, Devon, EX2 7JQ
Job 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
Essential:
* 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 focused approach.
Desirable:
* Experience working within SARCs, sexual health, or forensic healthcare settings.
* Postgraduate qualification in healthcare leadership, public health, or contracting.
Other important information
Working pattern: 37.5 hours per week
Interview Date: 25th September 2025
For further information please contact: Tony Layton, Care Group Associate Director, Clinical Specialist Service, on 01271 33783 or a.layton@nhs.net
EEO and eligibility
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 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.
Benefits
We will work to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team. This may include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications, or days off to study and engage in CPD. We aim to help you achieve work-life balance through flexible working and family-friendly policies.
Annual leave starts at 27 days plus bank holidays and rises to 33 days plus bank holidays. Benefits include access to occupational health services, counselling, onsite wellbeing activities, staff discounts, salary sacrifice options, and the NHS Pension scheme. Other benefits include Blue Light Card, Health Service Discounts, cycle to work scheme, car lease schemes, and nursery facilities onsite at Exeter.
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