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Job summary

Main area
Pharmacy
Grade
Band 9
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
246-COR7413763
Employer
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
County Hall
Town
Norwich
Salary
£109,179 - £125,637 gross per annum (pro rata).
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
22/10/2025 23:59
Interview date
29/10/2025

Employer heading

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust logo

Chief Pharmacist & Clinical Director for Medicines Optimisations

Band 9

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust provides child and adult mental health services, learning disability, wellbeing, older people's and eating disorder services across Norfolk and Suffolk.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and want to reflect the diversity of our local communities within our teams.  We welcome applications from all talented individuals with the relevant qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience

Job overview

Are you a visionary pharmacy leader passionate about improving mental health services through medicines optimisation? Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) is seeking a dynamic and experienced Chief Pharmacist and Clinical Director for Medicines Optimisation to lead our pharmacy services and drive strategic improvements in medicines management across the Trust.

This is a pivotal role offering the opportunity to shape the future of pharmaceutical care in mental health, working closely with executive leadership, clinical teams, and external partners.

Main duties of the job

 

About You
You will be a registered pharmacist with:

  • A Master’s degree in Pharmacy.
  • Membership of the General Pharmaceutical Council and Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
  • A postgraduate clinical qualification and formal leadership/management training.
  • Extensive experience in NHS pharmacy leadership, ideally within mental health.
  • Strong analytical, communication, and strategic planning skills.
  • A commitment to NSFT’s values: Team, Accountable, Learn and Improve, Kind.

Key Responsibilities

  • Strategic leadership of pharmacy services and medicines optimisation across NSFT.
  • Professional lead for medicines governance, safety, and compliance.
  • Accountable Officer for Controlled Drugs.
  • Oversight of the Trust’s formulary, prescribing policies, and medicines optimisation group.
  • Lead on pharmacy input into the Trust’s Efficiency, Value and Improvement (EVI) programme.
  • Management of pharmacy budgets and workforce planning.
  • Championing quality improvement, clinical governance, and patient safety initiatives.

Working for our organisation

Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing experiences and learning from each other. In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive.

Why work for us? We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations, are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. We have strong, established professional networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about.


Why Norfolk and Suffolk? The people here are warm and welcoming, you’ll never be far from the beautiful coastline or Broads National Park. We’re an hour and a half away from London and have an international airport in Norwich too. Our villages, towns and cities are packed full of history, independent cafes, shops and theatres. We have excellent shopping, eating out, top ranking schooling and affordable house prices too. 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This role involves regular travel across Trust sites and participation in strategic meetings. You will be expected to lead service development, respond to complex clinical and governance issues, and represent the Trust at regional and national forums.

Apply Now
If you’re ready to make a lasting impact on mental health services and lead a high-performing pharmacy team, we’d love to hear from you.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Master’s degree in pharmacy
  • Formal management or leadership qualification
  • Demonstrates continual professional development
Desirable criteria
  • MBA or MSc relevant to management
  • Non-medical prescribing qualification

Expereince

Essential criteria
  • Extensive pharmacy and NHS management experience
Desirable criteria
  • Previous experience as a Chief Pharmacist

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Knowledge of medicines legislation

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerAge positiveInvestors in People: GoldImproving working livesArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Mindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.We offer Wagestream - A financial wellbeing benefit which lets you access your pay as you earn it.Disability confident employerStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Step into healthNational Preceptorship for Nursing Quality MarkHappy to Talk Flexible WorkingWomens Staff NetworkCycle to Work

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

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Faisil Sethi
Job title
Chief Medical Officer
Email address
[email protected]
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