Head of SARC and Sexual Health

Head of SARC and Sexual Health

The closing date is 23 November 2025

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 senior operational management role is responsible for overseeing the delivery, development, and performance of system wide sexual health services and SARCs across multiple sites. It includes subcontracting responsibility with partners in Primary Care, Police and the third sector, working closely with clinical teams, safeguarding leads, commissioners, and external partners to ensure safe, effective, and trauma informed care for all service users.

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

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

Benefits

• 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.

Working Pattern

37.5 hours

Interview

To Be Confirmed

Contact

For further information please contact: Emily Simpson, Executive and Specialist Lead, or

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. 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.

Employer name

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust