Pharmacy Professional Engagement Lead – Scotland and the north of England

Job Description

Role: Pharmacy Professional Engagement Lead – Scotland and the North of England

Purpose: Working under the Head of Engagement and Professional Belonging, you will lead the development and delivery of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Regional model. Your focus is to oversee a program of change that embeds and grows regional and local engagement across Scotland and Northern England.

Main Responsibilities:

• Strategic Engagement: Ensure a unified approach to regional interaction across Great Britain to increase presence and member/non-member involvement.

• Event Leadership: Support Regional Ambassadors in delivering local events and implementing digital engagement solutions.

• Content Development: Collaborate with the Education directorate and country teams to ensure high-quality, relevant content for regional events.

• Resource Management: Maximize operational delivery across traditional country boundaries.

About You:

• Qualifications: You are a UK registered pharmacist with a deep understanding of the RPS mission and values.

• Soft Skills: High emotional intelligence, political acumen, and the ability to persuade and influence peers.

• Communication: Able to present complex arguments clearly to diverse audiences.

• Logistics: Self-motivated and willing to travel regularly to fulfill regional duties.

Job Data Table

Workforce Diversity Statistics (Pharmacy Sector)

The RPS emphasizes a “culture of belonging.” For context, the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) 2023 registrant data provides a snapshot of the profession you would be engaging with:

• Gender: 62% of pharmacists in the UK identify as female.

• Ethnicity: Approximately 46.5% of registered pharmacists identify as Black, Asian, or Minority Ethnic (BAME). Specifically, 31.3% identify as Asian or Asian British.

• Age: The largest cohort of pharmacists is aged 30–39, representing roughly 31% of the register.

• Disability: Approximately 4% of registrants declare a disability.

Hybrid Working Model

The RPS operates on a hybrid schedule to balance flexibility with team cohesion:

• Office Requirement: Typically 4–8 days per month at the Edinburgh Office.

• Remote Work: Remaining days can be worked from home.

• Travel: Regular travel is expected across Scotland and Northern England to facilitate regional events.

Expert Analysis

This is a high-level strategic role that requires a blend of clinical credibility (as a registered pharmacist) and corporate leadership. Unlike standard pharmacy roles, this position focuses on “Professional Belonging”—a key initiative to retain members in an increasingly digital and fragmented professional landscape. The salary is highly competitive for a 3-day week, reflecting the seniority and political sensitivity required.

Career Path

A Professional Engagement Lead is well-positioned to move into Head of Country roles or Director of Membership positions within the RPS or other healthcare regulatory bodies (like the GPhC). The change management experience gained here is also highly transferable to senior roles in NHS Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) or Government Health Directorates.