Band 8a - Therapy Team Lead, Therapies

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust; Watford; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS healthcare provider in Watford is seeking a Therapy Team Lead to oversee clinical therapy teams and ensure high-quality patient care. The ideal candidate will have a clinical qualification in Occupational Therapy, experience in leadership roles, and a passion for service improvement. This position offers opportunities for professional development and flexible working arrangements, reinforcing the provider's commitment to staff well-being and innovative care models.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Commitment to staff well-being

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Qualified Occupational Therapist with operational management experience.
• Strong background in leading clinical teams and service improvement.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a safe and effective service.
• Lead recruitment and retention initiatives.
• Develop services with internal and external teams.
• Support staff well-being and professional development.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Effective problem-solving skills

Organisational skills

Ability to inspire and motivate

Education

Relevant clinical qualification as an Occupational Therapist

HCPC UK registration

NHS management qualification or training

Job description

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Band 8a - Therapy Team Lead, Therapies

The closing date is 06 January 2026

We are looking for an experienced Band 7 or an existing Band 8a to move into an operational lead role within our friendly and dynamic Therapy Department at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (West Herts).

As a Therapy Team Lead, you will be responsible for the operational management of our clinical therapy teams, with leadership of both the medical and stroke therapy teams. You will play a key role in supporting service delivery, staff development, and ensuring the delivery of high‑quality patient care.

You will be joining a collaborative team of six Therapy Team Leads, collectively managing the four therapy professions: Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Dietetics, and Speech and Language Therapy.

To ensure all professions are represented within our leadership structure, this post is open to candidates with a qualification in Occupational Therapy.

Interviews will take place on 23 January.

Main duties of the job

We are seeking a passionate, compassionate, and motivated individual with strong experience in leading clinical teams. You will be confident in problem‑solving, able to think on your feet, and demonstrate excellent communication skills.

Alongside your leadership ability, you will be a supportive team player and a core member of the Therapy Leadership Team.

Experience in service improvement and implementing change is essential for this role.

About us

With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award‑winning virtual hospital and re‑imagining models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance. www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking If you have a disability or long‑term health condition and should you require support or guidance please [e-mail] If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form. We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Job responsibilities

The main responsibilities of the role are to:

• Deliver a safe and effective service.
• Lead on recruitment and retention initiatives in your team and department.
• Lead HR processes within your team.
• Develop your services, working with teams both within the Trust and external partners to maximise the patient experience.
• Support the health, well‑being and professional development of your staff.
• Lead the quality and governance agenda within your teams.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

• Relevant clinical qualification to first degree level or equivalent as an Occupational Therapist.
• HCPC UK registered.
• Evidence of continuing professional and managerial development.
• Recognised NHS management qualification or training.

Knowledge

• Sound financial awareness and evidence of delivery against cost improvement programmes.
• Supporting and implementing change.
• Knowledge and experience of governance systems and processes.
• Knowledge of HR processes.
• Familiar with concepts of clinical supervision, staff development and quality improvement.

Experience

• Substantive clinical experience.
• Experience of working / leadership role.
• Evidence of operational management and leadership.
• Experience of building effective teams and networks.
• Working in a team and understanding team dynamics.
• Experience of service development, quality improvement and audits.
• Multidisciplinary team management.

Skills and ability

• Able to analyse and interpret data
• Effective problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Good time management.
• Ability to inspire and motivate.
• Excellent communication skills both oral and written, including the ability to liaise and negotiate
• Communicate effectively at all levels across organisations

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.

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust