South East GLH Scientific Director

The South East Genomic Medicine Service (GMS) and Synnovis are seeking to appoint a Scientific Director which offers a fantastic opportunity for a senior scientist to direct and lead all aspects of the scientific and technical activities within the GMS and associated laboratories. This is a joint senior position within the GMS and Synnovis, reporting to the GMS Medical Director and the Synnovis Chief Scientific Officer and accountable to both the South East GMS Partnership Board and the Synnovis Director of Genomics.
Across the GLH, the post holder will provide strategic scientific leadership in line with the NHSE vision for the NHS Genomic Medicine Services and with any nationally and internationally agreed projects and initiatives in genomics. The Scientific Director will steer development of new technologies, platforms and approaches for genomic tests for the GLH and will provide expert advice on new tests to be included in the National Genomic Test Directory including the composition of gene panels.
Within Synnovis, the Scientific Director will directly line manage the test development and implementation team and the bioinformatics / informatics team. The postholder will be responsible for the development and implementation for all of Synnovis' Genomic scientific projects, including test developments., The GLH Scientific Director post is a key senior management leadership role within the Genomic Laboratory Hub (GLH) Service Delivery Team and Synnovis, responsible for directing and leading all aspects of the scientific and innovation activities within the GLH and associated laboratories. The Scientific Director is accountable to the South East GMS Partnership Board and to the Synnovis Director of Genomics., · Direct and lead all aspects of the scientific and innovation activity of the GLH and associated laboratories within the GLH
· Responsible for the Synnovis bioinformatics / informatics team ensuring that the needs of the Synnovis laboratories are met and that processes are continuously streamlined.
· Work closely with and support the GLH Operational Director to ensure the overall operational direction and management of the GLH
· Advise on new technologies and approaches including testing strategies and provide information on new tests to be included on the National Genomic Test Directory, appropriateness of testing procedures and composition of virtual gene panels
· Responsible for the Synnovis Genomic test development and implementation team and the timely implementation of new tests and projects aligned to GLH requirements.
· Act as the senior scientific advisor in the GLH on the integrity and validity of results generated from genomic testing
4.2 Strategic Scientific Leadership
· Set strategic direction in line with NHSE vision for the NHS Genomic Medicine Services and with any nationally or internationally agreed projects and initiatives in genomics
· Maintain the GLH at the forefront of genomic science working with NIHR and other bodies as appropriate
· Act as a senior scientist in the wider GMS both regionally, nationally and internationally.
· Work within the GLH National Network and with key stakeholders (NHSE, UKGTN, Genomics England and sequencing providers) to ensure services are fit for purpose
· Act in a consultant capacity on validation and interpretation of genomic data and clinical reporting within the GLH
4.3 Research and Development
· Direct, coordinate and undertake translational research and innovation activity in the GLH, playing a lead role in the development of scientific academic careers within the GLH and the broader research capacity and capability building in genomics
· Coordinate the Synnovis and wider GLH scientific workforce to ensure alignment of project priorities, the timely implementation of developments, and professional development.
· Chair the GLH Science & Technical Committee which develops and delivers the scientific strategy for the consortium, including recommending novel technologies and solutions which will benefit clinical and laboratory services.
· Work with Genomics England to support the national genomics research and industry agenda and be an active member of relevant research and discovery fora contributing to research and industry collaboration
· To be responsible for disseminating research findings through presentations at local, national and international meetings and through publications in scientific journals, as appropriate.
· Work collaboratively with the Health Innovation Network and be an active member of and help to shape the Genomics Innovation network
4.4 Financial and Commercial Management
+ Jointly review and approve business cases for investments required for the development of the GLH services, including for technologies and equipment.
+ Evaluate the cost effectiveness of new services and technologies when compared to existing services and recommend new investments where required.
+ Work with Procurement and IT colleagues to ensure the cost effectiveness of data storage
4.5 Information Management
+ Drive the continuous improvement of Synnovis Genomic LIMS and the use of Decision Support Software across the GLH to reduce manual steps, including the automation of processes and reporting.
+ Oversee the development of bioinformatics systems and ensure systems across the consortium meet the technical requirements of the service, as well as any contractual obligations.
+ Work with Informatics leads and the GLH IT & Bioinformatics Committee to define system requirements and select suitable suppliers or services to meet these requirements.
+ Ensure all information systems meet information governance as well as scientific requirements.
4.6 Human Resources
+ Work with the Education and Training leads and the Operational Director to develop and implement an education and training strategy across the GLH
+ Responsible for ensuring and maintaining scientific expertise within the GLH
+ Manage the GLH Scientific Leads as well as the Synnovis Bioinformatics / Informatics and new test development teams while providing leadership and coaching regarding sound operations management.
+ Ensure that direct reports drive accountabilities for successful delivery throughout their teams.
+ Promote employee engagement initiatives alongside HR Partners to lift morale and improve performance.
+ Support the clinical, scientific and operational leads and their teams in ensuring that day to day operational decisions are delegated to as near to where the service is delivered as possible.
+ Carry out regular performance planning reviews with all direct reports and teams managing objectives and providing feedback while investing in the development needs of the individual and the team.

4.7 External Duties
· Act as a key player / leader within key national organisations and forums on genetics and the development of genetic services and new technological developments
· Lead on development of national policies and best practice standards for Genetics Laboratories by undertaking local and national professional roles as appropriate to enhance the profile of the service
4.8 Personal Development
· Lead by example, provide leadership and act as a positive role model for all staff taking responsibility for your own personal development.
· Maintain personal standards of conduct and behaviour which are consistent with Trust standards and requirements.
· Ensure that professional knowledge is continuously updated and training undertaken if appropriate
· Participate in an annual individual performance review process where objectives will be agreed, performance monitored and personal development needs discussed
Guy's and St Thomas' celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or study's at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity , gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership.
Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. Equality of opportunity is our policy.
As an organisation we are committed to developing our services in ways that best suit the needs of our patients. This means that some staff groups will increasingly be asked to work a more flexible shift pattern so that we can offer services in the evenings or at weekends.
Flexible working
We are committed to supporting all employees to achieve a healthy work life balance and to work in a way that is best for them and our patients. We will consider all requests to work flexibly, taking in to account the individual's personal circumstances as well the needs of the service. We encourage all prospective applicants to discuss their individual circumstances with the recruiting manager as part of the on-boarding process.
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Guy's and St Thomas' is among the UK's busiest and most successful NHS foundation trusts. We provide a full range of hospital and community services for people in south London and as well as specialist care for patients from further afield including cancer, renal, orthopaedic, respiratory and cardiovascular services.
Guy's is home to the largest dental school in Europe and a £160 million Cancer Centre opened in 2016. As part of our commitment to provide care closer to home, in 2017 we also opened a cancer centre and a kidney treatment centre at Queen Mary's Hospital in Sidcup. St Thomas' has one of the largest critical care units in the UK and one of the busiest emergency departments in London. It is also home to Evelina London Children's Hospital.
Evelina London cares for local children in Lambeth and Southwark and provides specialist services across south east England including cardiac, renal and critical care services. We lead a number of specialist service networks aiming to ensure children are treated locally where possible, but have access to specialist expertise when they need it. Our community services include health visiting, school nursing and support for families of children with long-term conditions.
Our adult community services teams deliver care at the heart of the local communities we serve, working in partnership with GPs, local authorities and other healthcare and voluntary sector organisations. Working with our partners in Lambeth and Southwark, we are focusing on new ways of working to improve care for local patients.
In February 2021 the Royal Brompton and Harefield joined Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, bringing together world-leading expertise in the care and research of heart and lung disease. Our merger provides a once in a generation opportunity to build a lasting, world-renowned heart and lung centre, providing the highest quality care for patients and conducting world-leading research.
We have a reputation for clinical excellence and high quality teaching and research. We are part of King's Health Partners, one of eight accredited UK academic health sciences centres. In partnership with King's College London we have dedicated clinical research facilities including an MHRA accredited Phase I clinical trials unit.
Patients are at the heart of everything we do and we pride ourselves on ensuring the best possible patient experience as well as safe, high quality care. We are proud to have one of the lowest mortality rates in the NHS. Following a comprehensive Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in 2019 we maintained our overall rating of 'good'. Our adult community services achieved a rating of 'outstanding'.
The commitment of our 23,500 staff is key to our success. We are one of the largest local employers and we aim to develop and support all our staff so they are able to deliver high quality, safe and efficient care. The 2019 NHS staff survey results show that we have one of the most engaged and motivated workforces in the NHS. We know this has a positive impact on the care provided to our patients.
We have one of the most ambitious capital investment programmes anywhere in the NHS., The South East Genomic Service (GMS), consisting of the South East Genomic Laboratory Hub (GLH) and the South East Genomic Medicine Service Alliance (GMSA), was established as a key element of the national genomic medicine service being implemented by NHS England to enable the NHS to fully benefit from advances in genomics and to build on the success of the 100,000 Genomes Project.
The South East GLH is a partnership which is led by Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and includes King's College Hospital, St George's University Hospital, , South London and Maudsley, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells and University Hospitals Sussex as consortium partners, and Synnovis as a delivery partner. Through this partnership, the GLH is responsible for the delivery of high quality genomic testing for the South East region which covers, South London, Kent, Surrey, Sussex and parts of Berkshire.
The South East GMS operates under an integrated governance structure, with accountability to the GMS Partnership Board which includes Executive representation from partner Trusts.
Synnovis
Synnovis is a scientific organisation with a clinical purpose and is part of SYNLAB Group, Europe's leading provider of laboratory diagnostic services. Working in partnership with Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and local CCG networks, we aim to set the standard for the future of pathology.