Job summary
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Please see below for detailed job description of the role.
Main duties of the job
Head of Pharmacy Clinical Trials - University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS)
UHS is offering an exciting opportunity to lead our established and highly regarded Clinical Trials Pharmacy team.
In this lead role, you will manage a team of over 30 staff, including pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy assistants, delivering pharmacy services for more than 250 clinical trials across a wide range of clinical specialties. This is a unique and challenging leadership position within pharmacy practice.
You will work closely with UHS Research & Development, collaborate with local NHS trusts, and contribute to national groups shaping best practice in the pharmacy management of clinical trials. The role offers significant scope to influence service development, support innovation, and ensure the safe and effective delivery of clinical trial medicines.
This post is ideal for an experienced pharmacy leader with a significant experience in clinical research/trials and service improvement.
About us
University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.
Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.
We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.
At UHS we're committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.
At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We're committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Leading the Clinical Trials Pharmacy team, you will work closely with UHS Research & Development and provide specialist advice on the pharmacy management of clinical trials. The role supports research activity across UHS and locally, including the Wessex Research Hubs, local NHS trusts, and the University of Southampton Clinical Trials Unit.
Specific to this role is the suitability for agile working which is a mixture of on-site and remote working. In addition, we are open to discussing flexibility in the hours that you work. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you need, and we will explore whats possible for the role and service.
The postholder will be responsible for the strategic development of the Clinical Trials Pharmacy service, ensuring delivery against local and national KPIs, and will be a key member of the senior pharmacy leadership team at UHS.
Essential prior experience:
Management of a large, diverse team, including budgetary responsibility
Experience of working in hospital pharmacy clinical trials or a Research & Development environment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Leading the Clinical Trials Pharmacy team, you will work closely with UHS Research & Development and provide specialist advice on the pharmacy management of clinical trials. The role supports research activity across UHS and locally, including the Wessex Research Hubs, local NHS trusts, and the University of Southampton Clinical Trials Unit.
Specific to this role is the suitability for agile working which is a mixture of on-site and remote working. In addition, we are open to discussing flexibility in the hours that you work. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you need, and we will explore whats possible for the role and service.
The postholder will be responsible for the strategic development of the Clinical Trials Pharmacy service, ensuring delivery against local and national KPIs, and will be a key member of the senior pharmacy leadership team at UHS.
Essential prior experience:
Management of a large, diverse team, including budgetary responsibility
Experience of working in hospital pharmacy clinical trials or a Research & Development environment.
Person Specification
Trust Values
Essential
- Patient First
- Always Improving
- Working Together
Qualifications / training required
Essential
- NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent Registered as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council
- Management qualification equivalent to at least intermediate management level
- Good Clinical Practice certification
Desirable
- Leadership training
- Other relevant pharmacy or research qualifications e.g. ACPT, PIPC, Medicines Management
Previous or relevant experience necessary
Essential
- Significant post qualification experience in a hospital setting including a management role
- Highly specialised experience within research or clinical trials
- Staff recruitment, appraisal, performance and absence management.
- Audit and service review
Desirable
- Working with agencies external to Trust
- Budget management
Person Specification
Trust Values
Essential
- Patient First
- Always Improving
- Working Together
Qualifications / training required
Essential
- NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent Registered as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council
- Management qualification equivalent to at least intermediate management level
- Good Clinical Practice certification
Desirable
- Leadership training
- Other relevant pharmacy or research qualifications e.g. ACPT, PIPC, Medicines Management
Previous or relevant experience necessary
Essential
- Significant post qualification experience in a hospital setting including a management role
- Highly specialised experience within research or clinical trials
- Staff recruitment, appraisal, performance and absence management.
- Audit and service review
Desirable
- Working with agencies external to Trust
- Budget management
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
