Director of Pharmacy

The Trust is seeking an experienced, strategic, and driven leader to become Director of Pharmacy—a pivotal role shaping and managing the strategic and operational development of medicines management services across the organisation.

The successful candidate will ensure compliance with medicines legislation, escalating non-compliance through Trust processes in collaboration with the Chief Medical Officer. They will oversee the financial plan for medicines and pharmacy services, lead strategic development aligned with national and local priorities, and work collaboratively across primary and secondary care in the North West to deliver high-quality pharmaceutical services. Driving innovation, they will transform pharmacy into an integrated ward-based and community health function.

We seek a compassionate, inclusive leader with significant operational experience as a Chief Pharmacist in a large district general hospital or Deputy Chief Pharmacist in a teaching hospital. Proven strategic leadership within complex environments, including Board-level delivery, and alignment with the six NHS Leadership Competency Domains are essential.

This is an excellent opportunity to make a real impact on pharmacy and medicines services at a critical point in the Trust’s improvement journey. Following our recent CQC inspection, we are committed to improvement and invite a dynamic individual to join our leadership team and help drive transformation.

Act as Superintendent Pharmacist ensuring compliance with GPhC, MHRA (GDP, GCP, GMP), and RPS standards. Serve as Accountable Officer for Controlled Drugs and maintain statutory licences for clinical trials. Lead Trust-wide compliance with medicines directives and provide professional leadership and pharmaceutical advice across the organisation.

Drive strategic and operational development of medicines management, oversee prescribing systems and informatics, and transform pharmacy into an integrated ward-based and community model. Collaborate with primary and secondary care partners across the North West, ensuring alignment with national, regional, and local priorities. Advise senior leadership on medicines optimisation, develop policies, contracts, and service plans, and lead commercial opportunities.

Ensure compliance with CQC, NICE, and commissioning standards within the clinical governance framework. Manage risk, incidents, and continuous quality improvement. Act as Budget Holder, meet financial targets, monitor drug usage, and implement cost-saving initiatives. Lead the senior pharmacy team, workforce planning, recruitment, and professional development, fostering a culture of engagement and lifelong learning.

Promote audit, research, and innovation in pharmacy and medicines optimisation, ensuring compliance with clinical trial regulations. Champion governance, benchmarking, and transformation to deliver safe, secure, and cost-effective use of medicines across the Trust.

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was established in 2007 and gained Teaching Hospital status in 2010. Operating as a Group, it includes BFW Management Ltd (Atlas), providing Estates Services since 2017, and Blue Skies Hospitals Fund, our registered charity.

The Trust delivers hospital and community health services across the Fylde coast, Lancashire, and South Cumbria, serving 1.8 million people. We provide hospital care for 352,000 local residents and 18 million annual visitors, community services for 445,000 people, and specialist regional care in cardiac and haematology. We also host the National Artificial Eye Service, offering specialist care across England.

Main sites include Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Clifton Hospital, Fleetwood Hospital, Whitegate Health Centre, and several primary care centres.

Our values—Caring, Safe, Respectful—define our culture and guide how we work. These were chosen through Trust-wide engagement sessions and a staff vote in 2023. They reflect our commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate care and fostering a positive workplace.