Head of Dietetics
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
The closing date is 04 May 2026.
The Head of Dietetics role reports to the Divisional Director of Allied Health Professions and will work closely with other Managers and deputies across the Trust. The post holder provides operational management and professional leadership for Dietetics within the division.
The post holder will guide, coach and mentor the hospital site Therapy & Dietetic leads to ensure day‑to‑day delivery of services. Responsibilities also include overseeing delegated budgets, supporting efficiency savings and business cases, and ensuring systems and processes that uphold the quality and safety of patient care.
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route, provided applicants meet the required skill, salary and role‑specific criteria.
The post holder provides professional leadership for Dietetics across UHSx, supporting the AHP Lead to deliver strategic goals, resolve operational pressures and reduce unwarranted variation. Key duties include ensuring accurate activity data, delivery of KPIs, statutory compliance, and producing monthly performance reports. The role also oversees high‑quality, safe, efficient dietetic care and contributes to wider public health initiatives.
They promote distributive leadership, coaching, and mentoring to support site Therapy & Dietetic Leads, develop a diverse, values‑driven workforce, and achieve clinical, operational and quality targets. The post holder chairs operational/governance meetings, ensures robust governance and best practice, and participates in on‑call duties and escalation meetings as required.
They build strong partnerships within the Trust and regional/national networks, support Integrated Care System priorities, improve discharge pathways, reduce admissions, and help develop 7‑day service models. The role leads the development of new care models and pathways aligned to population needs and is primarily a management‑focused position.
Communication & Representation
* Represent the Trust in national, regional and local forums regarding Dietetic workforce and service matters.
* Work with committees, staff and external bodies to promote the Trust's Dietetic vision and goals.
* Influence policy development internally and externally.
* Promote the Trust's Dietetic services through clear communication of objectives and achievements.
* Ensure meaningful stakeholder engagement, including staff‑side and union partners.
* Attend relevant Trust, divisional and system meetings and communicate issues effectively.
* Deliver presentations on complex subjects and manage the communication of sensitive information to patients and families.
Service Delivery & Improvement
* Lead continuous professional development across Dietetics and support advanced/consultant practice.
* Provide senior management advice, promote multidisciplinary collaboration and help resolve complex service issues.
* Support quality improvement, analyse quality data and produce reports for divisional leadership.
* Develop and implement care standards, pathways, policies and governance systems.
* Promote safety, risk management and compliance with Health & Safety and regulatory requirements.
* Lead or support investigations of serious incidents and complaints.
* Oversee areas such as clinical governance, safer staffing, HCPC fitness‑to‑practice processes and equipment standards.
* Manage delegated budgets responsibly and ensure financial governance is maintained.
* Contribute to pathway redesign, procurement activity, cost improvement programmes and business continuity responses.
* Support delivery of national strategies including the NHS Long Term Plan, NICE guidance and AHP frameworks.
* Participate in the Trust on‑call rota.
People Management & Development
* Lead, mentor and inspire Dietitians, ensuring a positive culture and safeguarding.
* Ensure staff work within HCPC requirements and registration checks are robust.
* Manage e‑rostering, workforce planning, recruitment and performance issues.
* Support Trust‑wide service development and represent Dietetics in multi‑agency and regional networks.
* Lead service strategy, business planning, improvement work and development of new roles.
* Support high‑quality Dietetic training and clinical placements.
* Ensure continuous learning needs analysis and development strategies for Dietetic teams.
* Develop specialist expertise across conditions such as diabetes, allergy, eating disorders, IBS, malnutrition, renal disease and bowel disorders and influence trust‑wide food and health strategies.
Patient Care Delivery
* Maintain clinical credibility and HCPC registration.
* Provide expert clinical advice within an agreed specialist area.
* Ensure safe, high‑quality, cost‑effective Dietetic care aligned with national standards and Trust values.
* Establish and monitor KPIs, take action on performance issues and contribute to strategic planning.
* Ensure Dietetic services support Trust priorities and commissioning requirements.
* Maintain data systems, conduct skill‑mix reviews and introduce new workforce models where needed.
* Manage performance, conduct, grievances and workforce challenges.
* Escalate concerns appropriately to divisional leadership or the Chief Nurse.
Learning & Development
* Ensure mandatory training compliance across Dietetics.
* Undertake personal development and participate fully in appraisal processes.
* Identify personal learning needs and plan development with line management.
* Base practice on the latest public health and scientific research and translate this into patient‑centred guidance.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Master's level qualification or evidence of postgraduate study.
* Management qualification or additional short courses to evidence experience.
Professional registration
* Current registered HCPC member, UK.
Skills
* Evidence of own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
* Demonstrable evidence of managing a sizeable Dietetic service at a senior level in a health or social care setting.
* Evidence of service improvement delivery.
* Evidence of managing staff, financial processes and change including knowledge of public involvement.
* Sound understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management processes.
* Ability to lead, motivate and influence individuals both within and external to the organisation.
* Facilitation of good working relationships with other colleagues across Trust and Health Economy.
Experience
* Understanding of and experience with disciplinary/capability procedures.
* Proven ability to develop & implement highly specialised programmes of care and care packages.
* Commitment to improving patient care, standards and services and ability to sustain a clear focus on demanding goals.
Equality Diversity & Inclusion
* Evidence of own development to improve understanding of equality issues.
* Evidence of championing diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required to confirm that the applicant has no disqualifying convictions.
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