Director of Professional Development and Innovation

Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization located in the City of Westminster seeks a qualified Director of Professional Development and Innovation. This senior leadership role involves providing strategic guidance, supporting professional development for staff, and engaging with external stakeholders. The successful candidate will possess a strong background in health or social care and will be pivotal in driving service transformation. This full-time position offers an attractive salary and flexible working environment.

Benefits

Competitive starting salary

Generous annual leave entitlement

Excellent staff training and development opportunities

Supportive and flexible working environment

Generous pension scheme

Life insurance cover

Season ticket loan scheme

Eye care voucher scheme

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Cycle to work scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of NHS frameworks and challenges.
• Ability to influence stakeholders effectively.
• Extensive experience in strategic leadership roles.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior-level professional input to guide team initiatives.
• Lead development of professional guidance and resources.
• Engage with partners to enhance professional education.

Skills

Crisis Management

Marketing

Public Relations

Fundraising

Media Relations

Strategic Planning

Social Media Management

Team Management

Public Speaking

Writing Skills

Job description

Role Overview

This role reports directly to the Chief Executive and is a member of the primary purpose is to provide senior-level professional input and strategic guidance to the role will also serve as a championing voice for the speech and language profession supporting the workforce in delivering a high-quality service by providing them with excellent professional development support and opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Providing expert professional input as a senior SLT to guide the team on professional development work and engagement with external stakeholders. This includes working together with partners and teams to engage co-produce and consider implications of new policies and clinical evidence on members professional education and practice.
• Anticipating influencing and responding to key issues relating to professional practice using a variety of means including establishing expert working groups holding round-table events influencing senior policy makers and / or leading the development of new professional guidance and resources.
• Acting as a strategic lead on pre and post registration education and learning as part of SLT workforce planning.
• Enabling the development and dissemination of research and evidence-based practice.
• Leading the development and delivery of professional guidance and support from a strategic perspective ensuring it meets the evolving needs of the workforce.

About the Role

We are seeking an accomplished senior leader and highly qualified Speech and Language Therapist with a strong background in health social care or education. As an experienced and dynamic Director you will provide crucial strategic leadership and guidance.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding with the NHS bring the vision and expertise to drive service and workforce transformation at both local and national levels. With excellent stakeholder management skills you will guide the organisation through change while maintaining momentum and results. The successful candidate will also be a championing voice for the profession supporting the workforce in delivering high-quality service.

Key Skills & Requirements

• Crisis Management
• Marketing
• Public Relations
• Fundraising
• Media Relations
• Constant Contact
• Strategic Planning
• Social Media Management
• Team Management
• Public Speaking
• Wordpress
• Writing Skills

Employment Type : Full-Time Experience : years Vacancy : 1

Application Process

Please note the role may close earlier than the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of applications. Interviews to be held in person at our London Bridge office from the week commencing 27 October 2025. Please note there will be a task / presentation as part of the interview process as well as second round interviews. Your application should consist of:

• A full CV including the names and addresses of two referees (at least one should be from your current / most recent employer). Referees will not be approached until the final stages and not without your consent.
• A cover letter of no more than 2 sides of A4 detailing why you are interested in joining RCSLT as the Director of Professional Development and Innovation and how your skills and experience meet the essential criteria of the role. (Please note that for your application to be considered you need to submit both your CV and cover letter).
• Completed applications should be submitted through ouronlinerecruitment : Thesuccessful candidate musthave the right to work in the UK.

Contact

Should you wish to discuss the role in strict confidence or for more details about the role please contact Steve Jamieson CEO at Our Commitment to Equity Diversity and Belonging (EDB) We are committed to a fair transparent and inclusive recruitment process. All applications are handled with strict confidentiality to protect your privacy and encourage openness throughout the process. The RCSLT is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. We aim to embed equity diversity and belonging practices throughout our recruitment and selection procedures. We strive to ensure everyone is valued equally for their contribution experience knowledge and skills. We welcome applications from candidates of all different backgrounds.

About RCSLT

The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) is the professional body for speech and language therapists across the UK. The RCSLT supports SLTs by providing leadership setting professional standards facilitating research promoting better education and training. The RCSLT team consists of 70 staff members who offer support to over 23000 members. Colleagues are predominantly based in the London office and others in Belfast Edinburgh and Cardiff offices.

Benefits

• A competitive starting salary
• G enerous annual leave entitlement
• Excellent staff training and development opportunities
• Supportive and flexible working environment including hybrid working arrangements
• Generous p ension s cheme
• Life insurance cover
• Season ticket loan scheme
• Eye care voucher scheme
• Family friendly employer including enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme and more!