Director of Pharmacy Injectable Medicines Guide (Medusa)

Are you ready to lead a nationally significant, high-impact service at a time of transformation? Do you want to work with a passionate, expert team and a broad network of partners? Do you want to shape the future of a resource that directly improves patient safety and clinical outcomes across the NHS?

The Injectable Medicines Guide (IMG), often referred to as Medusa, is a nationally recognised NHS resource that underpins the safe preparation and administration of injectable medicines across NHS hospitals and other healthcare organisations. IMG provides 500+ evidence-based monographs for intravenous and other injectable medicines, supporting both adult and paediatric clinical practice. It is the reference standard for organisations developing local injectable medicines policies and is integrated with electronic prescribing systems across the UK.

The IMG is at a pivotal phase in its development. Following a period of significant change, including a major website redevelopment, transition to a new IT host, and modernisation of its infrastructure, the IMG is entering a new era. The next Director will steer the IMG through this transition, shaping its strategic direction, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring it continues to meet the evolving needs of the NHS and its patients. This role will require onsite presence each month; hybrid working is permitted, therefore applicants from all parts of the UK are welcome.

Main duties of the job

The Injectable Medicines Guide (IMG) Pharmacy Director will be responsible for strategic and operational delivery of the Medusa Injectable Medicines Guide to all subscriber organisations nationally and internationally.

• Have authority and responsibility for all aspects of the IMG, including editorial policy formation and application.
• High-level strategic leadership of the IMG, including formulation and application of organisational direction and long-term strategy.
• Develop long-term strategic relationships with partner organisations and industry leaders, representing the guide at a national level.
• Make decisions critical to the IMG's success including those related to patient safety, finance and workforce model.
• Be fully accountable for actions taken and decisions made by self and direct and indirect reports.
• Take the initiative to keep both own and team members' skills up to date and to maintain awareness of developments in related areas of expertise.
• Advance the knowledge and/or exploitation of the IMG nationally and internationally.
• Understand, explain, and present complex strategic, editorial and clinical ideas to both specialist and non-specialist audiences at all levels up to the highest in a persuasive and convincing manner.
• Have a deep understanding of the health industry and the use of the IMG for direct users and the wider healthcare environment.

About Us

At Imperial College Healthcare you can achieve extraordinary things with extraordinary people, working with leading clinicians pushing boundaries in patient care. Be part of a vibrant team living our values – expert, kind, collaborative and aspirational. You’ll get an experience like no other and will fast forward your career. Benefits include career development, flexible working and wellbeing, staff recognition scheme. Optional benefits include Cycle to Work, car lease schemes, season ticket loan or onsite leisure facilities. We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and will consider applications to work flexibly, part time or job share. Please talk to us at interview.

Person Specification

Essential Education/Qualifications

• Registration as a pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council
• Master's degree in pharmacy or equivalent as approved by General Pharmaceutical Council
• MBA, MPH, or strategic leadership qualifications, or equivalent experience
• Evidence of commitment to Continuing Professional Development

Desirable

• Prince 2 Practitioner
• Fellowship of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Essential Experience

• Experience of delivering large-scale systems and services across multiple organisations
• Experience formulating organisational strategy and defining constituent workstreams and initiatives required to deliver strategic objectives
• Extensive experience of working in the NHS, either directly or indirectly, including relevant experience at senior management
• Experience of managing a service budget, including accurate forecasting, regular monitoring and mitigating against overspend
• Recent experience (within the last 5 years) of delivering large-scale complex projects or services across multiple organisations and stakeholders

Desirable Experience

• Experience writing bids for, and successfully achieving, national funding awards

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities

• Advanced political and system-level awareness
• Ability to set organisational direction, policy, and long-term strategy
• High-stakes decision-making affecting patient outcomes, finances, and workforce
• Knowledge of the relevant standards and policy supporting the administration of injectable medicines
• Knowledge of editorial principles and methodologies, healthcare policy standards, and healthcare system design

Desirable Skills/Knowledge

• Knowledge of the national policy priorities and implications surrounding injectable medicines
• Knowledge of the Medusa IV Guide and its objectives

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.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.