Associate Director of AHPs

NHS; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an Associate Director of Allied Health Professions to provide strategic leadership across AHP disciplines, including occupational therapy, physiotherapy, nutrition and dietetics, speech and language, podiatry, imaging, optometry, and more. The role focuses on raising the profile of AHPs and delivering a system-wide strategy for Allied Health.

You will work with divisional leads and clinical directors to shape transformation, drive

Qualifications

• Registered AHP with masters level or equivalent.
• Postgraduate management qualification or equivalent training/experience.
• Evidence of further personal development.
• Experience in health care including relevant clinical qualifications.
• NHS Improving Quality tools and techniques.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership to all AHP disciplines within the Trust.
• Develop and implement a Trust-wide strategy for allied health services.
• Collaborate with Divisional Triumvirates and clinical leads to drive transformation.
• Identify workforce opportunities and lead innovation to meet patient needs.
• Ensure governance, budget oversight and accountability across AHPs.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Change management

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Masters level in Allied Health or equivalent

Postgraduate management qualification

Evidence of continuing professional development

NHS health care experience

Tools

NHS Improving Quality tools

Job description

Go back Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Associate Director of AHPs

The closing date is 20 September 2026

The Associate Director for Allied Health Professions is a pivotal role in the leadership, identity and development of allied health professionals (AHPs) within Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. They will provide strategic leadership to all AHP disciplines which include acute services, occupational therapy and physiotherapy, nutrition and dietetics, speech and language, podiatry, imaging, optometry, operating department practitioners and paramedics.

The post holder will work strategically to raise the profile of AHPs and will lead the development and implementation of a Trust wide strategy plan for allied health professional services and associated activities. Working proactively and collaboratively with Divisional Triumvirates, medical and nursing leaders they will provide professional leadership to identify and execute opportunities for allied health professional transformation, driving clinical innovation and new ways of working to meet current and future patient needs. Identifying workforce opportunities to liberate the potential and demonstrate the value of Allied Health Professionals is a key component of this role.

Main duties of the job

The Associate Director Allied Health Professionals will collaborate with professional leads across non-AHP disciplines and will be actively engaged with the BSW Hospital Group, playing an important role in shaping the strategic landscape for Allied Health Professionals at system level and in building a sustainable Allied Health Professional community.

You will provide strong credible AHP leadership and working with the Heads of Service deliver a leadership structure that delivers strategically, professionally, operationally and clinically with clear lines of authority, delegation and accountability

You will provide senior, professional leadership to AHPs across GWH demonstrating advanced analytical and judgement skills to interpret highly complex facts and information to enable the development of an AHP vision and strategic plan.

About us

We are proud to be part of BSW Hospitals Group - a formal partnership between Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust. With a combined workforce of over 17, 600 colleagues, and budget of 1.6 billion the Group is united by a common purpose to deliver the best possible care to over 1 million people.

We are creating a health and care system that works with the people we care for, reducing the differences people currently face in access, experience and outcomes, improving the experience of our colleagues, and tackling shared challenges like sustainability and finances. Every improvement we make across our Group will be guided by what creates the greatest benefit for our colleagues, our patients, our communities and our partners.

Job responsibilities

The Associate Director for Allied Health Professions is a pivotal role in the leadership, identity and development of allied health professionals (AHPs) within Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Please see attached full job description

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Registered AHP with masters level or equivalent
• Postgraduate management qualification or equivalent high-quality training/experience
• Evidence of further personal development
• Experience in health care including relevant clinical qualifications
• NHS Improving Quality tools and techniques

Experience

• Significant operational healthcare experience
• Track record of achieving financial and service targets
• Leading change through empowering people and holding them to account
• Good understanding of NHS policy
• Good understanding of the framework for clinical governance
• Understanding of clinical pathways and treatments relevant to the Service
• Experience of managing and utilising budgets effectively
• Evidence of creative and inspirational approach to problem solving
• Significant operational experience in acute/integrated healthcare.
• Previous involvement in NHS service development and reconfiguration
• Experience in participation in NHS on call service as a senior manager.

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.

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

£79,504 to £91,609 a yearPer annum, Pro Rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

249-8229376

Job locations

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust