Deputy Head of Therapies & Dietetics

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Deputy Head of Therapies & Dietetics in Milton Keynes. This vital role involves both operational and strategic responsibilities in managing Therapy services, including Dietetics and Speech and Language Therapy. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, relevant post-graduate education, and a passion for delivering high-quality patient care. Join a committed team dedicated to innovation and improving patient pathways in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Flexible working practices

Professional development opportunities

Commitment to equality and diversity

Qualifications

• Experience in delivering multi-disciplinary services across inpatient, outpatient, and community settings.
• Demonstrable skills in performance management, finance, and quality improvement.
• Ongoing, relevant postgraduate education.

Responsibilities

• Operationally manage Therapy services including Dietetics and Speech and Language Therapy.
• Support the Head of Therapies in achieving strategic and operational objectives.
• Champion Therapy and Dietetic services across the organisation.

Skills

Leadership

Performance Management

Quality Improvement

Data Analysis

Communication

Project Management

Education

Degree level professional qualification in OT, Physio, SaLT or Dietetics

HCPC Registered

Educated to master's level in a related subject or equivalent experience

Job description

Go back Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Deputy Head of Therapies & Dietetics

The closing date is 13 January 2026

Band: 8B, £64,455 to £74,896 Per annum, pro rata if part time

Hours: Full time, 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

This is a new role within The Therapy & Dietetic Department at Milton Keynes University Hospital. We are seeking applications from leaders with experience of delivering multi-disciplinary services across inpatient, outpatient and community settings. This role will work closely with the Head of Therapies & Dietetics, as well as specific service leads to drive forward innovation and improved patient pathways.

Experience in setting strategic direction and operational capability is essential. Demonstrable skills in performance management, finance, quality improvement and using data to drive forward service changes are vitally important.

Applications are welcomed from applicants with relevant post‑graduate education and a detailed knowledge of local and systemwide NHS priorities. You will need to be an excellent communicator who can champion and inspire colleagues about the vision of the department.

This role will be required to be part of the Trust on‑call rota.

Interview: w/c 05 February 2026

Main duties of the job

This is a role which has both operational and strategic responsibility. It is a deputy role to the Head of Therapy & Dietetics. There is a requirement to look at service development, opportunities and Quality Improvement (QI) to help improve the profile of Therapy services as well as deliver safe and effective care to our patients. The post holder will champion Therapy & Dietetic services across the organisation (which include Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Nutrition & Dietetics, Speech & Language Therapy and Orthotics). The role will support the Head of Therapies in achieving their strategic, financial and operational objectives and have responsibility for operationally managing therapists providing services to the divisions of planned and unplanned care. This role will also hold a clinical caseload within their own speciality.

About us

NHS Staff Survey: 75.8% of Allied Health Professionals feel enthusiastic about their job roles.

Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting‑edge research and education. With a “Good” rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.

As a medium sized hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.

In January 2025 we opened our state‑of‑the‑art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.

Job responsibilities

Provide support to the Head of Therapies as required, in their absence or as a delegated function. To operationally manage Therapy services, including Dietetics, Speech and Language Therapy, Children's and Orthotics. This role will provide support to the Head of Therapy and Dietetics in transacting business. For this post, this includes: Physiotherapy (adult and paediatric, acute and community services) Occupational Therapy (inpatient and outpatient services) Speech and Language Therapy Dietetics (acute and community) Orthotics

Please refer to attached Job description for further information.

We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity, and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.

MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.

We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once enough applications have been received.

By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.

Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

• Degree level professional qualification in OT, Physio, SaLT or Dietetics (Degree, MSc)
• HCPC Registered
• Evidence of ongoing, relevant postgraduate education
• Educated to master's level in a related subject or for equivalent experience
• Awareness of current issues, trends and service models in the delivery of Therapy & Dietetic services
• Knowledge of clinical governance, including risk management
• Knowledge of national NHSE policy and priorities and impact on Therapy & Dietetic services
• Knowledge of quality performance measures and application within therapy services
• Management Qualification (Willing to work towards)
• Project Management
• Specific management courses in a range of different fields
• Quality Improvement experience
• Research background
• Compassionate leadership skillset

Experience

• Operational management including budget management experience in therapies
• Clinical or Professional Lead experience within Therapies or Dietetics
• Broad and extensive clinical experience in an acute hospital including specialist services e.g. Trauma & Orthopaedics, Surgery, Respiratory, Frailty, General Medicine, Stroke, Outpatient MSK, Children’s Physiotherapy and Speech & Language.
• Active participation in teaching/in‑service programmes
• Clinical or professional lead experience within Therapies and / or Dietetics
• Project and change management experience
• Experience of representing Therapies & Dietetics within a Trust setting
• Experience of managing other professional groups
• Experience of staff supervision and appraisal across team/service
• Experience of budget management
• Experience of SLA's, commissioning and contractual working

Skills

• Able to demonstrate Trust values
• Able to evaluate and be critical of self
• Ability to initiate and implement change
• Good analytical & organisational ability
• Able to solve complex problems demonstrating ability to offer creative solutions
• Demonstrates strong collaborative leadership and managerial skills
• Project, service development and change management skills
• Ability to influence, motivate and facilitate MDT working
• Senior level clinical skills and reasoning. Able to assess, coach and implement appropriate assessment and treatment for complex patients.
• Able to design and implement teaching programmes within own field
• Organisational skills
• Understanding of professional issues impacting on Therapies & Dietetics within the Trust and healthcare sector
• Able to manage time effectively
• Able to prioritise objectives and workload
• To have been involved in leading and bringing about change to a service/department
• To have experience of setting up a new service
• Experience of implementing Evidence Based Practice
• Experience of business case development

Personal and People Development

• Highly effective leadership and organisational skills
• Excellent project management skills
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex data to support service development
• Ability to manage conflict and challenge across a range of diverse situations
• Ability to plan workload and work in a flexible manner to meet deadlines
• Ability to find a way forward in complex situations even though there is no clear precedent
• Clear understanding of the organisation's priorities and objectives and able to represent senior manager at internal and external meetings

Communication

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Listens, respects and learns from the contribution of others
• Has a high level of self‑awareness and integrity, with obvious emotional intelligence

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.

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

£64,455 to £74,896 a yearPer annum pro rata