Search for more NHS jobs in London
Job overview
We are looking for an experienced clinical trials pharmacist to join the UCLH Senior Pharmacy Leadership Team as Head of Pharmacy Clinical Trials, leading and developing the Pharmacy Clinical Trials Unit.
This is a newly created post, providing strategic, clinical, and operational leadership across a portfolio of approximately 600 commercial and non-commercial studies, with significant cancer, neurology, and early phase programmes. The experienced team of 30 has grown substantially over recent years in line with UCLH's commitment to research delivery. You will lead on the strategy to meet the Trust's research ambitions and national priorities. You will ensure patient access to novel and advanced investigational therapies through safe and efficient pharmacy services, and contribute to national guideline and policy development through the Shelford Group, NIHR Pharmacy Working Group, and ATMP networks, at the forefront of clinical trials pharmacy practice.
Main duties of the job
You will act as the Trust's senior expert on investigational medicinal products and ATIMPs, ensuring compliance with GCP, legislation, and regulatory frameworks, and providing assurance to internal and external auditors and regulators.
You will lead the dedicated pharmacist and technician team working across a complex and varied portfolio, driving service improvement, managing risk, and ensuring the PCTU has the capacity and capability to meet growing research demand. This will involve working closely with R&D, clinical teams, sponsors, and national networks to ensure pharmacy keeps pace with the Trust's research ambitions.
As a member of the Pharmacy Senior Management Team you will contribute to the wider strategic development of pharmacy services, and deputise for the Chief and Deputy Chief Pharmacists on matters relating to clinical trials and ATIMPs.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*
* UCLH top trust to work at in England - In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England – for the third year in a row.
UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff – To find out more, visit: Flexible working.
To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?
Person specification
Experience
Essential
- Specialist NHS hospital clinical pharmacy expertise and experience
- Recent and extensive experience of clinical trials work in a hospital pharmacy or pharmaceutical industry setting
- Recent and extensive experience of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products & biological safety.
- Recent and extensive experience of designing and using digital systems to improve operational efficiency and patient safety.
- Experience in management of others including assessing and appraising staff.
- Experience of working successfully with all levels of medical, nursing, pharmacy, R&D and pharmaceutical industry staff.
- Experience of leading and contributing to clinical trials audits and responding to finding from such audits.
- Leads clinical audit and demonstrable evidence of use of clinical audit to improve practice
Desirable
- Research publications
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Demonstrable evidence of evaluation of service provision and ability to innovation to transform services provided
Knowledge and Qualifications
Essential
- Registration as a pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
- Masters Degree in Pharmacy or equivalent
- Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or General Pharmacy Practice or equivalent experience
- Substantial broad-based experience as an NHS hospital pharmacy practitioner
- Demonstrable and significant operational management and supervisory experience in clinical trials in NHS hospitals, including working as part of a senior multidisciplinary team
- Formal management/leadership qualification (or equivalent experience)
- Accreditation in Good Clinical Practice (GCP) for Pharmacy Staff
Desirable
- Higher degree (PhD or research MSc)
- Advanced practitioner as defined by the Advanced and Consultant Level Framework (ACLF)
- Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) membership
- Recognised as a national and/or international expert practitioner
Personal and People Development
Essential
- Previous experience in delivering education and training at a postgraduate level
Desirable
- Actively seeks novel opportunities to meet training needs, and evaluates the training provided
WhatsApp job alerts
Get instant WhatsApp alerts for Band 8 Pharmacy roles in London
Create your Job Clerk account first. We'll collect your alert preferences during onboarding and help you turn on WhatsApp notifications for matching healthcare roles.
Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Head of Pharmacy Clinical Trials with University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in London, London, England. It is listed as a Band 8 Pharmacy role. The advertised salary is £88,250 - £100,355 Per annum inclusive of HCAS. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 26 Jul 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (10 Jul 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
For more context, review related Job Clerk pages for the same profession, band or location where they exist, then use the application-support guides to tailor your statement and prepare for interview.