Associate Chief Pharmacist, Formulary and Governance

NHS; City Of London; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in London seeks an experienced Associate Chief Pharmacist. The role includes strategic oversight of medicines governance and operational leadership in formulary management within a well-respected trust. Candidates should have strong leadership qualities and the ability to manage complex relationships. Competitive salary of £85,431 to £97,148 per annum and full-time permanent contract.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in relevant specialties.
• Evidence of leading governance and formulary change projects.
• Ability to manage and supervise others.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior leadership and management to the formulary, risk, and governance teams.
• Develop and implement pharmacy governance frameworks.
• Promote the safe use of medicines across the Trust.

Skills

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Expert practice

Research experience

Education

Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or Pharmacy Practice

Relevant short courses taught at post graduate level

Job description

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Associate Chief Pharmacist, Formulary and Governance

The closing date is 13 October 2025

This post is a unique opportunity for a highly motivated, enthusiastic, experienced pharmacist with strategic vision, drive and excellent leadership skills.

This role combines strategic oversight of medicines governance with operational leadership in formulary management, ensuring safe, effective, evidence-based and cost-effective use of medicines across the trust and the population we serve.

Applicants will have excellent communication skills, an ability to manage complex relationships across multiple organisations and be able to demonstrable a high level of work in expert practice, research, education and professional leadership.

Overview

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

We are committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Responsibilities

The Associate Chief Pharmacist, Formulary and Governance will provide strategic leadership and management to the formulary, risk and governance teams. They will be accountable for key Trust policies relating to medicines use including the Medicines Policy. The post holder will be responsible for review and update of prescribing guidance and the Trust Formulary to promote safe, clinically effective and cost efficient prescribing. This will involve collaboration and co-ordination across the sector, including development and maintenance of interface pathways and guidance to ensure consistent prescribing and swift resolution of interface issues between primary and secondary care. The post holder will develop and implement pharmacy governance frameworks, driving continued improvements in clinical safety, regulatory compliance and quality assurance. In addition, they will embed a culture of accountability, learning and excellence in medicines optimisation working in partnership with multidisciplinary teams, senior pharmacy leaders and external regulatory bodies to ensure that governance processes are robust, transparent, and aligned with national standards and local priorities. The post holder will lead and support Trust wide executive quality visits, co-ordinate clinical audits including safe and secure handling of medicines and produce Trust level reports and actions plans to drive continuous improvement.

Education and professional leadership activities, governance oversight, and collaboration across Trust committees and external bodies are core components of this role.

Job responsibilities

The main responsibilities of the post holder will be:

• Provide senior leadership and management to the formulary, risk and governance teams.
• Responsible for key Trust policies relating to the use of medicines at the trust and across the interface including the Trust Medicines Management Policy, Controlled Drugs Policy and other relevant policies and procedures.
• Leading review, update and maintenance of prescribing guidance and the Trust Formulary to promote effective prescribing within the trust.
• Management of access to medicines processes in line with trust plans.
• Development and maintenance of interface pathways and guidelines to ensure consistent prescribing across the health interface with swift resolution of interface issues between primary and secondary care.
• Coordination, preparation and management of independent reviews of drugs for discussion at relevant Trust committees including Drug and Therapeutics Committee (DTC) and Drug Expenditure Committee (DEC) and Regional Committees including South East London Area Prescribing Committee (SEL APC), Medicines and Pathways Review Group (MPRG) and Joint Formulary Committee (JFC). This includes being an active member and Trust representative at these meetings.
• Development and implementation of pharmacy governance frameworks, driving continuous improvements in clinical safety, regulatory compliance and quality assurance.
• Embed a culture of accountability, learning and excellence in medicines optimisation working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, senior pharmacy leaders and external regulatory bodies to ensure that governance processes are robust, transparent, and aligned with national standards and local priorities.
• Maintain oversight of policy (and SOP) development, audit and assurance, risk mitigation and regulatory readiness.
• Provide leadership to the Pharmacy Quality Governance meeting agenda, chair relevant governance forums and support the delivery of strategic transformation initiatives that enhance patient safety and service efficiency.
• To promote the safe use of medicines across the Trust and act as an expert resource in these practice areas across the Trust.
• To lead and support Trust wide executive quality visits, and co-ordination of clinical audits of safe and secure handling of medicines including report feedback and implementation of agreed action plans.
• To provide reports at Trust level to assist with assurance of implementation of national and local strategies to assist with CQC safe and secure handling of medicines.

Education and Qualification

• Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or Pharmacy Practice
• Specialist competencies relevant to role or relevant short courses taught at post graduate level
• Specialist competencies in leadership or relevant short courses taught at post graduate level
• Evidence of leading relevant change projects in governance and/or formulary completed
• Demonstrate strategic awareness in practice

Knowledge and experience

• Significant experience within relevant specialities
• Experience of research and audit practice and supervision
• Experience of managing others
• Experience of education and training and supervision of others
• Able to communicate clearly in writing
• Experience of managing and evaluating programmes of change

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

£85,431 to £97,148 a yearper annum including HCA

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

213-Division-A-7509177

Job locations

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust