Director of Practice and Quality

British Society for Rheumatology

Director of Practice and Quality

The British Society for Rheumatology is a membership organisation which brings together expertise from across the rheumatology profession, harnessing a wide variety of experience and skills to ensure we are supporting our members to the very best of our combined ability.

Our mission is to champion the specialty, influencing change and building a thriving community of best practice.

Job Purpose

To provide strategic leadership, oversight and development of BSR activities aimed at enhancing the science, practice and quality of rheumatology. This includes our internationally-recognised academic journals, guidelines, research, and patient registers alongside pioneering work in quality improvement and external affairs. This work is a key driver of BSRs mission to champion the specialty, influence change and build a thriving community of best practice. The Director of Practice and Quality oversees a budget of around £2.5million, and is responsible for a team of 12 staff. The role also forms a key part of our Senior Management Team, taking corporate responsibility for the overall direction and management of BSR.

Responsibilities

1. To lead the Society’s work to promote excellence and drive up standards in the delivery of rheumatology services

• Form a common narrative and joint purpose across the directorate to ensure work is delivered with impact and in line with BSRs strategy and vision
• Working with Heads of Department, oversee a diverse programme of activity with an eye to impact, benefit for BSR members, and driving improvements in patient care
• Provide coaching and constructive challenge to ensure Heads of Department can continuously improve their work programmes
• Work with SMT colleagues to ensure work across BSR reflects changing policy and evidence and meets the contemporary practice needs of BSR members
• Build relationships with key committee members and assume lead responsibility for the Clinical Affairs Committee, Research Committee, Journal Committee and other working groups.

2. To oversee the ongoing development of inclusive campaigning and influencing activities

• Build collaborative relationships with a wide range of stakeholders to further our work to activate positive changes in rheumatology care
• Monitor external developments and advise on how BSR should proactively respond
• Oversee and advise on impactful campaigning approaches on issues directly impacting the science, practice and quality of rheumatology
• Measure the impact of BSRs evolving approach to campaigns and oversee continuous improvement to influencing activity.

3. To lead the Practice and Quality directorate

• Lead and support the team, including through the identification and delivery of professional development opportunities and role-modelling BSR values
• Establish objectives linked to our strategic priorities, monitoring and holding colleagues to account for delivery
• Share key updates with the team on a regular basis and champion the department’s work internally
• Ensure rigorous financial management and long-term forecasting to ensure departmental sustainability, working with the team to identify new income generating opportunities as relevant
• Support and provide strategic insight to committees, including the Board of Trustees
• Establish appropriate structures and processes to drive forward key projects including collaborative working across BSR and evaluating success against identified metrics

4. To be an active member of the Senior Management Team (SMT)

• Provide leadership and support across the organisation, ensuring consistency of operation, high standards of service and driving a one-team approach
• Agree organisation-wide policies and procedures and ensure their correct implementation
• Assume corporate responsibility for trustee and senior management decisions
• Develop evidence-based business cases to secure funding to support key projects
• Work across teams to identify new opportunities to support our members and generate income
• Evaluate our work consistently to identify and deliver improvements
• Champion BSR’s values at every opportunity

Person Specification

Experience

• Ability to operate in a senior leadership role including driving team development
• Significant experience and understanding of the healthcare sector
• Significant experience in communication and stakeholder management
• Ability to lead strategic development, including driving innovation that creates diversification in BSRs activity and income streams
• Experience in overseeing budgets and managing contracts

Skills and abilities

• Values-led, dynamic leader who can effectively manage and coach staff successfully, supporting them to reach their full potential
• Excellent communication skills, with ability to articulate opinions and speak on behalf of BSR
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to work on multiple projects with conflicting priorities and deadlines simultaneously
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate impact and inform ongoing drive to improve all aspects of work
• Ability to build effective collaborative partnerships with internal and external stakeholders

Timetable

• The closing date for applications is 19th January 2024
• Interviews are expected to take place 31st January 2024
• Second stage interview 1st February 2024 (morning)

First round interviews will be a panel interview, and the second round for those taken forward will include an opportunity to meet the team members this role will manage.
Candidates will need to be available for both dates.

Benefits of working at BSR

We offer a wide range of benefits, most of which start from day one of joining us. Our benefits fall into four main areas: Wellbeing, Time- based, Learning and development, and Financial. Just some of them include:

Wellbeing:

• Free period products in our office
• Free flu vaccinations
• Mental Health First Aiders
• Access to a clinical psychologist via HelloSelf
• BUPA healthcare scheme- we offer a cash plan, which you can add children or partners to
• Employee Assistance Programme. This is a free, confidential counselling service to all staff, as well as a general advice service provided by BUPA
• WeCare offers access to a 24/7 virtual GP, as well as a mental health support service, a get fit programme and an online portal with lots of helpful resources
• Our enhanced sick pay offer is:
  • Up to two years’ service: 4 weeks full pay and 4 weeks half pay
  • After two years’ service: 12 weeks full pay and 12 weeks half pay
• We work in a social environment with a range of activities, both virtual and in person, run by our Social Squad. This includes an organisation-wide volunteering day.

Time-based:

• We offer 30 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays
• All staff can request sabbaticals at any point, which are considered on a case-by-case basis
• We also offer an extra day for moving house
• Bank holiday swops- you can swop a bank holiday day for another day’s leave (entitlement remains 1:1 days)

Learning and development:

We will help you develop your career by supporting your personal development and encouraging internal progression. This includes recognising individuals’ achievements through our internal staff awards. We offer a huge range of learning opportunities, both in-house and externally. This includes a thorough induction programme when you join us, as well as development opportunities aimed at line managers, and wellbeing-based learning sessions. And if professional membership is a required part of your role, we’ll cover the cost of that.

Financial:

• We offer a performance related pay incentive scheme
• Income protection scheme
• After 3 months, you’ll be enrolled on our pensions scheme with Aegon (via Second Sight). Our current pension match is 5% employer contribution if you contribute 4% (9% contribution in total).
• Our life assurance policy pays three times your basic salary
• Interest free season ticket loans
• Ride-to-work scheme
• Interest-free loan scheme
• We also provide generous enhancements within our parental and family leave policies.
  • Our maternity/shared parental/adoption offer is 6 weeks at full pay, 33 weeks at half pay, followed by 13 weeks at the statutory rate.
  • Our paternity leave offer is 6 weeks at full pay.