Head of SARC and Sexual Health

Job summary

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a strategic, compassionate and inspirational operational leader to take on the role of Strategic Head of Sexual Health and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) across the South West.

This is a senior operational management role, responsible for overseeing the delivery, development, and performance of system wide sexual health services and SARCs across multiple sites. This will include subcontracting responsibility with our partners in Primary Care, Police and the third sector.

You will work closely with clinical teams, safeguarding leads, commissioners, and external partners to ensure safe, effective, and trauma-informed care for all service users. Acting with diplomacy and tact you will be expected to champion and influence system thinking and system change and position RDUH as a trusted and respected system leader.

Main duties of the job

For more detail about the main duties of this role, please see the job description section below. As a key member of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, you will be joining an exceptional team working together to help our patients to stay healthy, when they need it most.

About us

Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford).

Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within peoples own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.

Its never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as youll help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.

Details

• Date posted: 08 June 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 8b
• Salary: £66,582 to £77,368 a year per annum pro rata
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 185-41843-13369
• Job locations: Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, Devon, EX2 5AZ, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.

More detail about the role

Key Responsibilities

• Provide operational leadership and strategic oversight of sexual health and SARC services across the region.
• Lead service transformation and improvement initiatives, ensuring alignment with NHS England and local council commissioning standards and local priorities.
• Ensure robust governance, safeguarding, and quality assurance processes are in place.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with police, social care, voluntary sector, and public health teams.
• Manage budgets, contracts, and workforce planning to ensure sustainable and effective service delivery, whilst championing the services and ensuring corporate support and governance is in place.
• Support a culture of positive staff wellbeing, training, and development across multidisciplinary teams.

About You

Essential:

• Significant experience in operational management within healthcare, population health and integrated care, or public sector services.
• Proven leadership in complex whole system environments.
• Strong understanding of service commissioning, performance management, and partnership working.
• Excellent skills in negotiation, communication, stakeholder engagement, and change management.
• Creative vision and solution focussed approach

Desirable:

• Experience working within SARCs, sexual health, or forensic healthcare settings.
• Postgraduate qualification in healthcare leadership, public health, or contracting.

Why Join Royal Devon?

We value our people and offer a comprehensive range of benefits to support your health, wellbeing, and career development:

• NHS Pension Scheme one of the most generous in the UK
• 27 days annual leave (rising to 33 with service), plus bank holidays
• Flexible working options and hybrid arrangements where applicable
• Car lease scheme and cycle-to-work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme offering 24/7 support
• Access to leadership development programmes and CPD
• Exclusive NHS discounts across retail, travel, and leisure
• Relocation support available for eligible candidates

Working Pattern: 37.5 hours per week

Interview Date: Thursday 16th and Friday 17th July 2026

For further information please contact: Emily Simpson, Executive and Specialist Lead on 07958931414 or emily.simpson21@nhs.net

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

Benefits

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we'll help you get there.

Looking after you is important to us.

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you're starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You'll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

Salary is not the only financial benefit

You'll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers.

You will also have access to other benefits including:

National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.

Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter

Car lease schemes.

The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).

Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available if the role is something you are interested in, we'd love to hear from you.