Deputy Nutrition & Dietetic Manager

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK healthcare institution is seeking an experienced Clinical Lead Dietitian to manage the dietetic team and provide advanced dietetic support for oncology patients. The role involves leading recruitment, conducting clinical audits, and ensuring compliance with quality standards. Ideal candidates should possess strong leadership skills, experience in acute care, and a degree in Nutrition & Dietetics. The position promises a balanced work environment that values diversity and offers competitive compensation.

Benefits

Diverse and inclusive working environment

Continuous professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Clinical experience in dietetics managing complex oncology patients.
• Master's level or advanced course in nutritional support.
• Evidence of strong leadership and management experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily management for dietetic staff and lead recruitment.
• Offer advanced dietetic assessments for complex oncology patients.
• Coordinate and evaluate dietetic education and training sessions.

Skills

Advanced clinical reasoning

Effective communicator

Independent case management

Leadership and team management

Education

BSc Nutrition & Dietetics

Clinical supervision training

Post Graduate Diploma in Nutrition & Dietetics

Job description

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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational Management

Provide daily line management and visible leadership for dietetic staff, ensuring effective communication, performance management, and motivation within the team.

Lead on recruitment, induction, appraisal, supervision, and development of team members to support a high‑performing and supportive culture.

Manage staffing levels, workload allocation, and clinical prioritisation to ensure safe and efficient service delivery.

Monitor attendance, sickness absence, and performance, implementing policies and procedures in line with Trust guidelines.

Manage the initial stages of disciplinary and capability processes as required, working in partnership with HR and senior managers.

Support the management of complaints and undertake investigations when required, ensuring that learning and improvement actions are implemented.

Lead and contribute to service evaluation, audit, and development projects to maintain and enhance quality of care.

Support the Head of Dietetics in business planning, policy implementation, and service redesign to meet organisational and national cancer strategy objectives.

Ensure compliance with clinical governance, risk management, and health and safety standards within the department.

Clinical

Provide advanced, evidence‑based dietetic assessment and treatment for complex oncology patients, including those undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, or palliative care.

Act as the clinical lead in a defined specialist area.

Contribute to the development, implementation, and audit of clinical guidelines, pathways, and protocols.

Participate in multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings, case discussions, and clinical supervision.

Provide expert advice and consultancy to the wider MDT on complex nutritional issues.

Support evidence generation and publication of clinical outcomes or service development initiatives.

Lead and participate in audits, research projects, and service evaluations to inform best practice and drive quality improvement.

Lead or contribute to the development, review, and implementation of nutrition pathways, evidence‑based resources, policies, and clinical standards.

Support implementation of local and national guidelines (e.g., NICE, BDA) within clinical practice.

Take part in governance activities such as clinical incident reviews, risk assessments, and safeguarding cases related to nutrition.

Support implementation of digital solutions (e.g. e‑referrals, electronic patient records) to streamline nutrition care.

Education, Training and Supervision

Coordinate and oversee dietetic student placements, ensuring high standards of supervision and educational quality in line with HCPC and BDA expectations.

Provide clinical supervision and mentorship to junior dietetic staff.

Develop, deliver, and evaluate nutrition & dietetic education and training sessions for medical, nursing, and allied health professionals on oncology nutrition.

Contribute to the development of patient and professional educational resources and initiatives.

Research, Quality, and Service Development

Lead or contribute to clinical audit, research, and quality improvement projects within oncology dietetics.

Maintain an up‑to‑date knowledge base and apply current evidence and national guidance to clinical and service practice.

Disseminate research findings and best practice through presentations, publications, and professional networks.

Support service evaluation and data collection for commissioning and performance reporting.

Communication, Collaboration, and Trust Representation

Promote effective communication within the dietetic team and across multidisciplinary teams (MDTs).

Represent the Nutrition and Dietetics service at Trust‑wide committees, working groups, and professional forums.

Collaborate with community dietetic teams and external providers to ensure continuity of care for patients.

Foster a supportive, respectful, and inclusive working environment that encourages teamwork, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Champion patient‑centred care that respects diverse cultural, religious, and individual nutritional needs.

Promote a culture of equality, inclusivity, and fairness in service delivery, staff development, and professional relationships.

Support and embed the Trust's values and behaviours within the Dietetic Department, fostering a positive and inclusive team culture.

Maintain HCPC registration and meet requirements for continuing professional development (CPD).

Contribute to departmental meetings, policy reviews, and clinical guideline development to support governance and quality improvement.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• BSc Nutrition & Dietetics or BSc degree in relevant science subject plus Post Graduate Diploma in Nutrition & Dietetics.
• Clinical supervision training.
• Masters level or equivalent courses e.g. Advanced course in nutritional support (e.g., BDA PEN course).
• Evidence of post‑graduate specialist counselling skills course in oncology, bereavement counselling or breaking bad news.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Extensive and recent NHS clinical dietetic experience within acute oncology and palliative care settings.
• Clinical experience in dietetics, managing nutritionally complex patients with multiple co‑morbidities.
• Advanced expertise in enteral and parenteral nutrition (PN), including the assessment, initiation, and ongoing management of artificial nutrition in acutely unwell patients.
• Experience in writing and implementing local guidelines and protocols related to nutrition support and oncology dietetics.
• Proven strong leadership / management experience, including leading a dietetic team with responsibility for supervision, mentorship, staff development, performance review, and absence management.
• Experience in complaint handling and investigations.
• Evidence of effective multidisciplinary team working and collaborative care planning.
• Ongoing commitment to continuing professional development (CPD), with up‑to‑date knowledge of current best practice.
• Active participation in audit, service evaluation, and research, including critical appraisal of evidence and translation into clinical practice.
• Skilled in delivering presentations and educational sessions to large groups, including healthcare professionals.
• Delivery of clinical supervision and support for junior staff and students; contributor to student training programmes.

Desirable criteria

• Research / publication.
• Coaching.

Skills

Essential criteria

• Advanced clinical reasoning.
• Skilled in conducting accurate anthropometric assessments and interpreting complex nutritional and clinical data.
• Strong ability to work independently and manage complex clinical caseloads effectively, both with individuals and in group settings.
• Demonstrated ability to critically appraise and apply evidence‑based practice in clinical decision‑making.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex clinical information clearly to patients, carers, and professionals.
• Ability to provide clinical leadership within multidisciplinary forums and advocate for dietetic input in complex decision‑making.
• Effective collaborator within multidisciplinary teams, contributing to integrated patient care.
• Confident in managing change and supporting service improvements through effective team engagement and collaboration.
• Confident presenter with experience delivering education and training to large multidisciplinary groups.
• Proficient in standard IT systems and electronic health records; competent keyboard skills.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise in a high‑pressure clinical environment.
• Proven leadership and team management skills, including staff supervision, mentoring, and absence management.
• Experienced in supervising students and junior staff, with a commitment to education and professional development.
• Actively engaged in clinical audit and service improvement initiatives.

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• In‑depth understanding of the complex metabolic and nutritional consequences of cancer and its treatments, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and surgical interventions.
• Advanced knowledge of artificial nutrition support.
• Sound understanding of current challenges and innovations in oncology nutrition support, including cachexia, sarcopenia, survivorship, and end‑of‑life care.
• Strong grounding in clinical governance, quality assurance, and audit processes to support high standards of care and continuous service improvement.
• Awareness of NHS policies, NICE guidance, and national cancer and nutrition strategies that shape dietetic practice and service planning.
• Knowledge of leadership frameworks and team development principles to support effective supervision, delegation, and succession planning.
• Skilled in interpreting complex clinical and nutritional data to inform evidence‑based decision‑making in high‑risk patients.
• Confident in developing, implementing, and evaluating care pathways, protocols, and education materials for specialist nutrition support services.
• Ongoing engagement in postgraduate learning and CPD, including formal training in oncology nutrition, artificial nutrition support, and clinical leadership.

Values

Essential criteria

• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours.

Other

Essential criteria

• Self‑motivated, reliable.
• Able to recognise own limitations.
• Positive mindset in respect of supporting organisational change; learning, and continuous improvement.
• Effective interpersonal and intrapersonal skills including high degree of self‑awareness and self‑regulation.
• Willingness to support preregistration Students.
• Demonstrate empathy, sensitivity and tact with patients and their families.

The closing date for this post may be extended if there are insufficient applicants or brought forward if there is a high volume of applicants.

We want to ensure that everyone who works at the Christie or uses our services is welcomed, valued and treated with dignity and respect. The Christie values diversity and is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all and fair representation across the organisation at all levels. In support of these commitments, we particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority people and people with disabilities for this post. Appointment will be only on merit.

We are committed to creating a balanced and diverse workforce. As such we welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. Together we will foster inclusion and tackle inequity and health inequalities in cancer care.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust is committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct and integrity in all our activities. We have a zero‑tolerance approach to modern slavery in any of its forms, including slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour, and human trafficking. We are fully committed to acting ethically and with transparency in all our business dealings and relationships, and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in our organisation or supply chains.

All positions within the Christie are subject to the receipt of satisfactory written references, medical clearance and evidence of your Right to Work in the UK. Some roles will require a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. Please note if you are successfully appointed to a post with this Trust, you will be required to pay for your own DBS Disclosure.

By applying for this post you are agreeing to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system. Please note, all communication regarding your application will be made via email, please ensure you check your junk/prame fools are filtered there.

If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, I regret that on this occasion your application will have been unsuccessful.

The Inter‑Authority Transfer (IAT) process is a critical and beneficial component of ESR and will form part of the recruitment process. In the event that you are successful following interview your previous NHS employment data, if applicable will be transferred from your current / most recent employer.

Overseas candidates wishing to apply for this position and who would require immigration sponsorship, may wish to self‑assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for the post on the UKVI website.

You should be aware the Trust operates a No Smoking Policy and therefore employees are not permitted to smoke at work.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• JD & PS (PDF, 189.6KB)
• The Christie Values and Behaviours (PDF, 919.5KB)
• Strategy Brochure (PDF, 1.0MB)
• Travel to The Christie (PDF, 3.8MB)