Help shape a new era of regulation in healthcare

The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is the independent regulator of 15 health and care professions across the UK. Our purpose is simple but vital: to protect the public by setting standards for education, training, conduct and professional practice.

We are now embarking on one of the most significant developments in UK professional regulation in recent years. The Government has announced its intention to introduce a statutory barring system for senior NHS leaders in England, with the HCPC asked by the Government to design, implement and run the new statutory barring scheme.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a high-profile programme of national importance, working alongside Government, NHS leaders, regulators, professional bodies and unions to create a new regulatory framework from the ground up and which will play a key role in strengthening public trust and confidence in NHS leadership.

As Programme Director, you will lead the Hospital Managers Regulation Programme, providing overall accountability for the successful delivery of this complex and highly visible programme. Reporting to the Deputy Chief Executive and Senior Responsible Owner, you will lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for programme delivery, policy and legislative development, operating model design and implementation, communications, stakeholder engagement, risk management and governance.

You will oversee the development and implementation of the new statutory barring system, including the regulatory framework, supporting legislation, standards, guidance, business processes and enabling technology. You will work closely with senior leaders across the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS organisations, regulators, professional bodies and trade unions to ensure successful delivery.

We are seeking an experienced programme leader with the credibility, judgement and resilience to deliver a complex programme in a politically sensitive and highly scrutinised environment. For this role, you will need to demonstrate a detailed understanding of the wider healthcare system and related policy and will have a track record of delivering large, complex programmes in high-profile, politically sensitive environments, across public service.

You will bring significant programme and portfolio management experience, including the successful delivery of major business change including technology-enabled initiatives, together with a strong understanding of governance, risk management, financial oversight and organisational transformation.

As an accomplished leader, you will demonstrate the ability to build and motivate high-performing multidisciplinary teams, while providing clarity, direction and pace in a complex delivery environment. Your ability to influence and engage a wide range of senior stakeholders will be critical, including government officials, regulators, healthcare leaders and professional bodies and unions, and to build consensus across diverse and competing interests. You will possess excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex issues clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences and will be confident operating within legislative, policy or regulatory frameworks. Experience of professional regulation would be beneficial, but is not essential.

Most importantly, we are looking for someone who is energised by complex challenges, motivated by public service and excited by the opportunity to help create a new regulatory regime that will have a lasting impact on healthcare leadership and public confidence.

If you would like to find out more about this uniquely exciting opportunity, please click on the link below.

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Recruitment Timetable

Closing Date - Strictly
5pm on Wednesday 2 December 2026

Shortlist Meeting
w/c Monday 7 December 2026

Final Panel Interview
Friday 18 December 2026

How to Apply

HCPC has engaged the services of GatenbySanderson to whom applications should be sent by the closing date of 5pm on Wednesday 2 December 2026 . We regret that late applications cannot be accepted. Applications must only be can be submitted online

To apply, please submit the following:

1. A CV - setting out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role, relevant achievements in recent posts, together with reasons for any gaps within the last two years.

2. A Statement of Suitability - (maximum 3 sides of A4, 12 point font) addressing the Essential and Desirable criteria in the Person Specification and providing detailed and specific examples of achievements in line with each.

3. Diversity Monitoring - All candidates are also requested to complete an online Diversity Monitoring form , which will be found at the end of the application process.

Contact

If you have any questions, once you have read this pack, please contact hcpc@gatenbysanderson.com

Monitoring information

The HCPC values equality and diversity and is committed to ensuring its processes and procedures are fair, transparent and free from unlawful discrimination. We are fully committed to making the appointment process accessible at all stages for any applicants with a disability. Please contact us as soon as possible to discuss your individual requirements. To ensure we are treating candidates fairly, we monitor diversity at all stages of the appointments process. The application process includes an online equal opportunities monitoring form. Providing this information is optional and each question may be answered on an individual basis, but we would be grateful for your cooperation. Information provided will be treated as strictly confidential and held securely in line with data protection and other relevant legislation and will be used for monitoring purposes only. It will not be seen by anyone directly involved in the selection process and will not be treated as part of your application. No information will be published or used in any way which allows any individuals to be identified.

Adjustments

We welcome applications from people who may need adjustments and all applications will be treated equally. Please let us know if we can make any adjustments which could help you with any stage of the process. Please email Emma.Clark@gatenbysanderson.com if you need a copy of this pack in large print, Braille or in a different format.

Disability Confident

The HCPC is a Disability Confident organisation. If you wish to apply for this role under the Disability Confident Scheme, please complete the Disability Confident form on the website. Candidates who apply under the scheme and who the panel assess to meet the minimum criteria will be offered a preliminary interview.