Principal Pharmacist (IMH)

Institute of Mental Health; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

The Institute of Mental Health (IMH) in Singapore, a premier 2,000-bed psychiatric hospital, seeks a visionary Principal Pharmacist to lead its Pharmacy Department and shape services across clinical, educational, research, and policy domains.

You will partner with senior leaders and national stakeholders to elevate medication safety, innovation, and patient-centred care, while developing workforce capabilities and fostering transformative change.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Pharmacy or equivalent recognised qualification.
• Registered Pharmacist with the Singapore Pharmacy Council (or eligible for registration in Singapore).
• Postgraduate qualification (e.g., Masters degree, PharmD, MBA, Public Health, Healthcare Administration, or equivalent) is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic planning and overall management of the Pharmacy Department, ensuring alignment with organisational and NHG goals.
• Develop and implement pharmacy strategies to support safe, effective, cost-efficient, and patient-centred medication use.
• Provide leadership in medication management policies, governance frameworks, and risk management initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, accreditation, and professional standards governing pharmacy practice.
• Champion the delivery of high-quality pharmaceutical care and medication safety across the institution.
• Drive evidence-based practices and oversee initiatives that optimise therapeutic outcomes for patients.
• Lead the development and implementation of medication-use policies and standards in alignment with national healthcare priorities.
• Shape and drive pharmacy workforce strategies, education, training, and professional development programmes.
• Mentor and develop pharmacy leaders and future talent within the organisation.
• Collaborate with educational institutions and professional bodies to strengthen pharmacy training and capability-building initiatives.
• Foster a culture of research, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Lead and support impactful research projects, publications, and presentations that advance pharmacy practice and patient care.
• Establish strategic partnerships with healthcare, academic, and research institutions.
• Build strong partnerships with clinicians, healthcare leaders, regulators, professional bodies, and external stakeholders.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and recognised thought leader on pharmacy-related matters.
• Represent the organisation in institutional, cluster-wide, and national pharmacy initiatives.
• Oversee pharmacy operations to ensure efficient, safe, and sustainable service delivery.
• Optimise resource allocation while maintaining high standards of patient care and operational excellence.
• Lead organisational change, service transformation, and quality improvement initiatives.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Clinical Excellence

Workforce Development

Research & Innovation

Stakeholder Management

Operational & Financial Management

Change Management

Communication

People Leadership

Education

Bachelor of Pharmacy

Registered Pharmacist

Postgraduate qualification

Job description

Join us in Adding Years of Healthy Life Through Life-Changing Careers, Where Passion Meets Purpose. Make a meaningful difference whilst growing in a supportive environment that nurtures your wellbeing and career aspirations

We are seeking an experienced and visionary strong

Principal Pharmacist to lead the strategic, clinical, operational, and professional development of our Pharmacy Department.

As Principal Pharmacist, you will play a pivotal role in shaping pharmacy services, advancing medication safety and innovation, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred pharmaceutical care. You will work closely with senior leadership, multidisciplinary teams, and national stakeholders to drive excellence across clinical practice, research, education, workforce development, and healthcare policy.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a senior pharmacy leader who is passionate about transforming healthcare delivery and influencing pharmacy practice at both institutional and national levels.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership amp; Governance
  • Lead the strategic planning and overall management of the Pharmacy Department, ensuring alignment with organisational and NHG goals.
  • Develop and implement pharmacy strategies to support safe, effective, cost-efficient, and patient-centred medication use.
  • Provide leadership in medication management policies, governance frameworks, and risk management initiatives.
  • Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, accreditation, and professional standards governing pharmacy practice.
• Clinical Excellence
  • Champion the delivery of high-quality pharmaceutical care and medication safety across the institution.
  • Drive evidence-based practices and oversee initiatives that optimise therapeutic outcomes for patients.
  • Lead the development and implementation of medication-use policies and standards in alignment with national healthcare priorities.
• Workforce Development amp; Education
  • Shape and drive pharmacy workforce strategies, education, training, and professional development programmes.
  • Mentor and develop pharmacy leaders and future talent within the organisation.
  • Collaborate with educational institutions and professional bodies to strengthen pharmacy training and capability-building initiatives.
• Research amp; Innovation
  • Foster a culture of research, innovation, and continuous improvement.
  • Lead and support impactful research projects, publications, and presentations that advance pharmacy practice and patient care.
  • Establish strategic partnerships with healthcare, academic, and research institutions.
• Stakeholder Management
  • Build strong partnerships with clinicians, healthcare leaders, regulators, professional bodies, and external stakeholders.
  • Serve as a trusted advisor and recognised thought leader on pharmacy-related matters.
  • Represent the organisation in institutional, cluster-wide, and national pharmacy initiatives.
• Operational amp; Financial Management
  • Oversee pharmacy operations to ensure efficient, safe, and sustainable service delivery.
  • Optimise resource allocation while maintaining high standards of patient care and operational excellence.
  • Lead organisational change, service transformation, and quality improvement initiatives.

Appointment to the Head role may be offered to incumbents who have been formally assessed and deemed capable of fulfilling the responsibilities and expectations of the position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Pharmacy or equivalent recognised pharmacy qualification.
• Registered Pharmacist with the Singapore Pharmacy Council (or eligible for registration in Singapore).
• Postgraduate qualification (e.g., Masters degree, PharmD, MBA, Public Health, Healthcare Administration, or equivalent) is highly desirable.

Experience

• Minimum 10 to 15 years of experience in hospital or healthcare pharmacy practice.
• Proven track record in leading large pharmacy teams and managing complex healthcare operations.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, organisational transformation, quality improvement, and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong understanding of Singapore healthcare policies, medication governance, and regulatory requirements.
• Experience contributing to national, cluster, or professional pharmacy initiatives will be advantageous.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic and systems thinker with the ability to influence at executive and national levels.
• Strong people leadership, coaching, and succession planning capabilities.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to drive innovation, transformation, and sustainable change.
• Recognised for professional credibility, thought leadership, and collaborative partnership building.

About IMH:

The Institute of Mental Health (IMH) in Singapore, established in 1928, is a premier 2,000-bed psychiatric hospital nestled in Buangkok Green Medical Park, providing comprehensive mental health services across 50 inpatient wards and 7 outpatient clinics, while also playing a pivotal role in training the next generation of mental health professionals through the NHG-AHPL Residency Programme and collaborations with local academic institutions.