Deputy Lead Speech & Language Therapist with certificate of sponsorship to the UK
Visa Information
This position is eligible for a Certificate of Sponsorship for international candidates. If you require sponsorship to work in the UK, you are welcome to apply. However, please verify your eligibility requirements with the employer before submitting your application, as immigration criteria can be complex and subject to change.
About the Role
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Deputy Lead Speech & Language Therapist to join their expanding team. Due to ongoing service developments, an exciting new Deputy Lead SLT position has been funded to further develop the Speech and Language Therapy inpatient and outpatient services at The Christie. This is a senior leadership position that offers an excellent opportunity for experienced speech and language therapists to advance their careers in one of Europe’s leading cancer centers.
Company Information
The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centers, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country. We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.
Job Details
Company: The Christie NHS FT
Location: Speech Therapy – E00275, Manchester, M20 4BX
Salary: £55,690 to £62,682 a year per annum pro rata
Band: 8a
Pay Scheme: Agenda for Change
Schedule: Full-time
Employment Type: Permanent
Reference Number: 413-101486-CSSS-MS
Closing Date: 09 February 2026
Date Posted: 19 January 2026
Job Summary
As Deputy Lead Speech & Language Therapist, you will be responsible for the day-to-day management and administration of the SLT service provided to patients within the inpatient and outpatients services. You will provide operational leadership to the Speech and Language Therapy team who deliver a highly specialist service to patients with communication and/or swallowing disorders as part of the cancer pathway for disease groups including CNS, lung, and head and neck. The role involves monitoring and organizing clinical caseloads and providing highly specialist advice, teaching and training for the Speech and Language Therapy team and other healthcare professionals across the trust and the region.
Main Duties
As a source of senior, highly specialist clinical expertise within SLT in the field of oncology, you will manage your own caseload of patients with acquired communication and/or swallowing problems. You will establish a team approach to service delivery which will facilitate the development and evaluation of clinical practices. This involves identifying and negotiating team objectives and projects in line with The Christie strategy, and leading the development and implementation of local clinical guidelines and policies informed by the evidence base, relevant professional guidelines and the context of local service delivery.
In conjunction with the Head of Speech & Language Therapy, you will be responsible for the deployment of staff within the designated service area and provide management direction to these staff including supervision of practice and personal development programmes. You will prepare management information and reports and advise the Head of Speech & Language Therapy on long and short term planning issues concerning the service provided from the specified teams. Additionally, you will provide support and advice to specialist SLTs in the region or other professionals regarding the ongoing clinical management of oncology patients.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential: Relevant professional qualification, registered with HCPC, member of RCSLT, evidence of highly specialised continuing professional development, post graduate training in dysphagia management, evidence of successful completion of post-graduate specialist short-course up to Masters degree level or equivalent, evidence of leadership courses / training, advanced videofluoroscopy training, advanced FEES training.
Desirable: Evidence of competencies to lead and analyse Videofluoroscopy examinations for patients with a diagnosis of Head and Neck oncology including laryngectomy, previous management experience.
Experience
Essential: Extensive and in-depth experience of relevant clinical area, knowledge and use of up-to-date assessment procedures and therapy techniques, recent experience of working with acute adult acquired disorders, experience of working collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team, experience in supervising more junior staff, experience of training other healthcare professionals, experience of working in partnership with carers, experience of audit/service evaluation.
Desirable: Interest and experience in treating Critical care patients, including tracheostomy, interest and experience working in surgery eg ENT, Maxfax, Plastics, contribution to specialist area in policy/practice development, experience in dealing with Human Resources issues such as recruitment and retention, performance management, sickness, annual leave.
Skills
Essential: Videofluoroscopy interpretation skills, ability to carry out and interpret FEES, experience of managing patients with a tracheostomy, excellent presentation skills, evidence of ability to manage highly specialist and complex caseload independently, excellent written and oral language skills, excellent interpersonal skills, excellent prioritisation and time management skills, excellent negotiation and problem solving skills, excellent analytical and reflection skills.
Desirable: Counselling skills, adjunctive skills in bedside swallowing assessment e.g. cervical auscultation.
Knowledge
Essential: Expert knowledge of broad range of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions for relevant client groups and ability to compare and contrast relative benefits, high level leadership, influencing, negotiation and problem solving skills in complex situations, in depth knowledge and appreciation of NHS strategy, policies and research ethics, knowledge of government policy re cancer services e.g. NICE guidance and how these impact on services.
Desirable: Knowledge of the pathophysiology of cancer and cancer treatments, awareness of the psychospiritual needs of cancer patients and willingness to refer to appropriate services e.g. chaplaincy, complementary therapy.
Values
Essential: Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours, willingness to represent the organisation professionally at a senior level, ability to work as part of a team.
How to Apply
International Applicants: If you are applying from outside the UK, please follow these steps:
1. Confirm your eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship with the employer
2. Prepare your CV and supporting documents that demonstrate how you meet the person specification
3. Ensure your professional qualifications are recognized in the UK
4. Prepare for potential interview via video conference if you are unable to travel to the UK
5. Include a cover letter explaining why you are interested in this specific role and relocation to the UK
All applicants should apply via the NHS Jobs website. When applying, please ensure you upload all relevant documents, including evidence of your qualifications, professional registration, and any relevant experience. Please also include a personal statement that addresses how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification.
Additional Information
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. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For overseas-trained therapists, you will need to have your qualifications assessed and potentially gain registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) before taking up employment in the UK.
Contact Information
For questions about the job, contact:
Name: Deborah Mason
Job Title: Consultant Speech and Language Therapist
Email: Deborah.mason15@nhs.net
Phone: 01614468046
About Manchester
Manchester is a vibrant, multicultural city in Northwest England, offering excellent quality of life for healthcare professionals. The city has a rich cultural heritage, world-class educational institutions, and excellent transport links. Manchester is known for its diverse communities, making it an ideal location for international professionals relocating to the UK. The cost of living in Manchester is generally lower than in London, while still offering a high standard of living and numerous amenities.
Professional Development
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust is committed to the ongoing professional development of its staff. As a senior clinician, you will have access to numerous opportunities for continued learning, including internal and external training programs, research opportunities, and the chance to contribute to service development and improvement initiatives. The trust has a strong reputation for clinical excellence and innovation in cancer care, providing an excellent environment for professional growth.
Benefits
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust offers a comprehensive benefits package, including competitive salary, pension scheme, generous annual leave, access to the NHS Staff Benefits Program, which provides discounts on various products and services, and opportunities for flexible working arrangements where possible. The trust also has a commitment to employee wellbeing, offering access to occupational health services and counseling services.
Equal Opportunities
The Christie is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of their race, gender, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. The trust is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities it serves.
Privacy Notice
The Christie NHS FT takes data protection seriously. For information about how your data will be used during the recruitment process, please refer to The Christie NHS FT’s privacy notice available at: https://www.christie.nhs.uk/about-us/data-protection
Supporting Documents
Job description and person specification documents are available for download. These documents provide detailed information about the role and the requirements for the position. We recommend reviewing these documents carefully before submitting your application.