Job description

Job Title: Executive Director of Professional Policy
Hours of Work:  1.0 whole time equivalent (35 Hours per week with options for flexible working)
Contract: Permanent
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Accountable to: Chief Executive Officer
Place of Head Work:Office of the SoR, home working or hybrid model
Grade: Executive Director
Internal Communications and Working Relationships:
Chief Executive, Executive Directors and Heads of Department All staff
UK Council and the College Board of Trustees
Professional and Educational Directorate team
UK Council and College Board of Trustees
External Communications and Working Relationships:
Statutory and Regulatory bodies
DHSC and Health administrations in the devolved nations
Specialty related professional bodies and scientific societies, including RCR and IPEM
Allied Health Professional Bodies
Higher Education Institutions, policy and lobbying bodies

Information about the Society and College

The Society and College of Radiographers are two separate companies operating together to provide service and support for those involved in radiography. As a Group they enable the Society to fulfil its role as the professional body and trade union for those practicing in clinical imaging and radiotherapy while the science of radiography is advanced for the public benefit.

The Society (SoR) is a Special Register trade union affiliated to the TUC with approximately 34,000 members. The College (CoR) is an independent charitable company registered in England and Scotland. The issued share capital of the College is owned by the Society.

Although legally distinct companies, the Society and College operate in a seamless way and have common objectives concerned with the promotion and development of clinical imaging and radiotherapy, the promotion of study and research into radiography and the promotion of public awareness of the profession. All of these objectives are seen to be directly for the public benefit. As the trade union, the Society has the additional objective concerned with protecting the honour and interests of radiographers and others involved in the practice of radiography.

Job Purpose

This role is a key member of the senior executive team, working closely with the Chief Executive Officer, two fellow Executive Directors, the Presidential Team and the Boards of the Group of both companies.

The post holder provides strategic and policy leadership for all professional, education and research matters relating to the radiography profession and workforce across the UK and engagement across Europe and Worldwide.

Dimensions

• Budgetary responsibility of £2million, including staff costs £1.3m for CoR and £700 for SoR.
• Delegated responsibility of £20,000 of budgeted expenditure
• Responsible for Professional & Education Directorate

Key Objectives

Key Accountabilities

• Strategic Leadership and Policy Direction
  Lead the development and delivery of a clear, ambitious strategic vision for professional policy, education, research and workforce development, aligned to the current and future needs of the radiography profession. Work in close partnership with the SoR UK Council and College Board of Trustees to shape strategic priorities.
• Governance and Executive Influence
  Provide expert strategic advice to the SoR UK Council and College Board of Trustees, enabling robust, evidence-based decision-making and ensuring the highest standards of governance.
• Organisational Strategy and Sustainability
  Ensure that a coherent long-term strategy, underpinned by effective systems, governance frameworks and delivery mechanisms, is in place to support the ongoing success of the Society, the College and the profession.
• Ensure operational governance this is both cross organisationally, working within the executive team, and with a detailed focus on on the Professional and Educational directorate ensuring alignment with SoR / CoR strategic priorities
• Directorate Leadership and Performance Management
  Lead the Directorate’s planning, budgeting and performance management processes, ensuring effective resource allocation, financial stewardship, risk management, and delivery against organisational priorities.
• Partnerships and Commercial Engagement
  Develop and manage strategic partnerships with commercial providers, research organisations and consultants, ensuring value for money, alignment with organisational objectives, and measurable return on investment.
• External Representation and Influence
  Act as a senior ambassador and authoritative voice for the profession, influencing national and international stakeholders across the UK, Europe and globally. Secure opportunities for collaboration, funding and policy influence to advance the aims of the SoR/CoR and the wider radiography profession.
• Professional Publications and Knowledge Leadership
  Provide executive oversight of the organisation’s professional publications and communications, ensuring quality, relevance and impact. Contribute strategically to the development of professional publications and content across all organisational platforms.
• Standards, Quality and Accreditation
  Lead the development and continuous improvement of professional standards, frameworks and quality assurance systems for imaging and radiotherapy services, ensuring alignment with nationally and internationally recognised benchmarks.
• Professional Frameworks and Evidence-Based Practice
  Ensure that all professional guidance and frameworks (including Scope of Practice, Code of Conduct, and Education and Career Framework) are current, evidence-based, and subject to regular review, supporting safe, effective and progressive practice across the workforce.
• Education Approval and Professional Accreditation
  Oversee robust and future-focused systems for education approval and individual accreditation, ensuring that programmes and processes remain responsive to evolving professional, regulatory and workforce requirements.
• Member Development and Professional Resources
  Ensure the provision and continuous enhancement of high-quality resources, tools and services to support members’ continuing professional development and lifelong learning.
• Workforce Intelligence and Planning
  Lead the development of robust workforce intelligence, planning and analysis to inform national workforce strategies, ensuring the profession is supported by accurate, timely data and insight that is effectively communicated to stakeholders.
• Public, Patient and Community Engagement
  Champion meaningful engagement with patients, the public and prospective entrants to the profession, ensuring that their perspectives inform professional policy, education and research, and that public understanding of radiography roles is strengthened.
• Industry Engagement and Innovation
  Collaborate with partners within the College of Radiographers Industry Partnership Scheme (CoRIPS), ensuring effective engagement with industry partners and where appropriate, support the integration of innovation, expertise and emerging technologies into professional policy, education and research activity.

Person Specification

All of the following criteria are considered essential and are evidenced by application, shortlisting process & interview unless otherwise noted.

Previous Experience

• Previous experience of senior leadership, working with Board members.
• Significant experience in at least two of the four domains of professional practice: Clinical, Education, Leadership/ Management and Research.
• Track record as a leader with in-depth experience across planning and performance management, financial management, and leadership in Radiography profession.
• Experience of leadership within a health care or education setting.
• Project Management experience. Desirable
• Experience with effective remote working and managing remote hybrid teams.

Knowledge & Education

• A Radiography professional qualification is essential for this post, together with a postgraduate qualification relevant to professional practice, education, management or research. Assessed by: Interview
• Current registration or eligibility for registration as a radiographer with the Health and Care Professions Council. Assessed by: HCPC Register
• National and international knowledge and recognition of professional role(s), particularly in health care and or Radiography education.
• Understanding of the nature and value of professionalism and specifically as applied to radiography.
• Excellent understanding of current political events related to healthcare and education, and how these might impact upon the profession of radiography and the radiography workforce.
• Knowledge of Company, Charity, Trade Union or Membership body organizations.
• Knowledge of quality management and enhancement systems, particularly related to clinical services or education.

Abilities, Skills, Competencies & Behaviours
Also measured through Psychometric Testing where appropriate

• Ability to analyze data and determine trends, forecasts and corrective actions where necessary.
• Excellent oral and written communication and influencing skills, including being able to speak in public and to carry a debate with a wide range of individuals, groups and organizations. Assessed by: Assessment
• Proven ability to speak confidently in public settings and perform to a high standard in media engagements, maintaining credibility, clarity and composure in high-profile situations. Act as a credible and authoritative spokesperson for both the organization and the radiography profession. Assessed by: Assessment
• Ability to envision the future of the profession, to translate vision into action, and to turn ideas, concepts and evidence from a broad range of sources into clear, concise, written policy statements, reports, and presentations for Council, CBoT, staff, professional and public audiences.
• Good understanding of the nature and value of professionalism and specifically as applied to radiography.
• Ability to think strategically, to translate strategy into action, and to turn ideas, concepts and evidence from a broad range of sources into clear, concise, written policy statements, reports, and presentations and implementation plans for SOR / COR. Assessed by: Assessment
• Ability to lead and manage staff and teams firmly and effectively, including through transitional change.
• Capability to lead, motivate and develop teams effectively and build a culture of accountability and delivery.
• Capability to build and develop an inclusive culture that reflects the vision and values of the SoR / CoR.
• Demonstrable ability to interact and influence at all levels, to have difficult conversations in a constructive and solutions-focused way.
• Excellent oral and written communication and influencing skills, including being able to speak in public, influence others and to debate persuasively with a wide range of individuals, groups and organizations and employer groups. Assessed by: Assessment
• Ability to prioritize demands and activity flexibly to accommodate changing priorities and deadlines, and to seek and take advantage of opportunities as they arise.
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint and IT and Video conference packages. Assessed by: Assessment
• A calm, assertive, persuasive and professional approach that always reflects SoR / CoR values.
• Able to maintain confidentiality and handle extremely sensitive information with diplomacy and tact.
• Excellent organizational skills, to plan, able to prioritize effectively and manage multiple demands and meet deadlines.