Employer: East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) – NHS Foundation Trust based at Alie Street; work across Trust sites in London.
Deputy Director Allied Health Professionals
Band 8d – NHS AfC. Salary £103,102 – £117,560 per annum (inclusive of HCAs). Closing date 08/06/2026. Interview date 30/06/2026.
Job overview
Working closely with the Director of AHPs, the Deputy Director will provide visible, credible, compassionate and inclusive professional leadership for a large and diverse Allied Health Professional workforce (780 WTE). The role is responsible for strategic leadership and professional oversight, supporting delivery of the Trust Strategy and the ELFT AHP Plan. The initial portfolio covers Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism, Specialist Services and CAMHS (approximately 320 AHPs), with flexibility to adapt responsibilities to evolving Trust priorities.
Main duties of the job
* Provide visible, credible and compassionate professional leadership for the AHP workforce, acting with delegated authority on behalf of the Director of AHPs.
* Act as a senior professional leader (Tier 2) within the Trust, providing expert AHP advice and contributing to corporate and clinical governance structures as required.
* Partner with Directorate Management Teams, Clinical Directors, Professional and Discipline Leads, and corporate teams to align AHP priorities with Trust, place‑based, system and national strategies.
* Translate complex strategic priorities into deliverable service, workforce and quality plans, communicating effectively with clinical, professional and system stakeholders.
* Lead the AHP Quality and Safety agenda, including oversight of the AHP Quality Dashboard and implementation of risk management, incident, complaints and audit processes.
* Support workforce planning, recruitment, establishment reviews, job planning, productivity and benchmarking, and lead workforce transformation and service modernisation.
* Provide professional line management and supervision for senior AHP leads and designated corporate AHP roles.
* Advise on complex AHP matters, including workforce issues, clinical risk, complaints and fitness to practise processes.
Person specification
Qualifications
* Full registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as an Allied Health Professional.
* Educated to Masters level.
* Evidence of senior leadership and management development, gained through formal qualification, accredited programme, or equivalent experience.
* Post‑Doctoral qualification and/or quality improvement or improvement science qualification preferred.
Experience
* Significant clinical experience in the relevant specialist clinical field (CHS, MHLDA, Specialist Services, Forensics or CAMHS).
* Substantial experience leading AHP services within community health services, learning disability, mental health or CAMHS settings.
* Demonstrable experience of professional governance, quality, safety and workforce transformation, including service redesign and new models of care.
* Experience of leading or sponsoring research, service evaluation or quality improvement programmes.
* Experience of system‑level leadership and engagement (ICS, regional or national AHP forums, professional bodies or higher education institutions).
Knowledge
* In‑depth knowledge of AHP professional governance, HCPC standards and regulatory responsibilities.
* Strong understanding of the NHS structure, policy environment and transformation agenda, including Integrated Care Systems.
* Detailed knowledge of mental health, learning disability and autism service pathways, relevant legislative and governance requirements.
* Knowledge of population health, inequalities and assets‑based approaches within service design.
* Knowledge of digital enablement and data‑enabled clinical systems supporting professional practice.
Skills
* Highly developed strategic thinking and analytical skills, with ability to manage and present complex information.
* Demonstrable ability to lead change and influence without direct authority in complex systems.
* Excellent influencing, negotiation and communication skills at senior and system level.
* Ability to lead through ambiguity and manage contentious issues.
* Experience of using dashboards and benchmarking to drive improvement.
Benefits and support
Relocation scheme: up to £10,000 to assist with removal and associated expenses (subject to change and terms and conditions apply).
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This position is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
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