We are looking for an outstanding candidate to become our Interim Executive Director of Education, Registration and Regulatory Standards and lead one of our largest directorates for the next two years. Our current Executive Director is moving across to lead the design and implementation of the new barring system for NHS managers in England, which means we are recruiting into our Executive Leadership Team. You will report to the Chief Executive and Registrar, and lead our education, registration, policy and standards, EDI, data and insights, and regulatory development and performance functions.

The role has a broad and demanding brief and provides the successful candidate with the opportunity to make a lasting impact on some of the most important areas of HCPC’s work You will lead a high-volume operational service, manage strategic risks, shape policy, speak for the HCPC externally, and take decisions that support work beyond your own directorate.

Your responsibilities will include.

• Leading the Heads of Education, Registration, Policy and Standards, Data and Insights, and Regulatory Development and Performance.
• Holding accountability for operational performance across the directorate's service delivery functions, in particular registration, covering service standards, throughput, quality of decision making and operational risk.
• Identifying the policy and standards questions that matter to the regulation of professionals, and leading the plans, standards and corporate objectives that follow.
• Setting the direction for our data and insights work so that regulatory decisions rest on evidence rather than assumption.
• Sponsoring the review and delivery of the HCPC's EDI strategy and action plan on behalf of the Executive Leadership Team.
• Representing the HCPC with government, the professions we regulate, patient groups and other regulators, and acting as a credible voice on regulation. Owning directorate budgets and business planning, and writing the briefings, consultation documents and Council and committee papers the role calls for.
• Contributing to organisational strategy, corporate planning and organisation wide performance as a member of the Executive Leadership Team.

Person Specification

We are looking for candidates who have:

• Senior leadership experience in a regulatory setting, covering both policy and operational service delivery.
• A track record of running a high volume operational or casework function, with accountability for service standards, throughput, quality of decision making and operational risk.
• Experience of delivering change and improvement within a legislative framework, and of building a detailed understanding of legislation and applying it to policy development.
• Policy they have formulated and implemented, with evidence that it achieved what it set out to achieve.
• Experience of building relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders, including Council or board members and government officials.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to make complex information accessible to different audiences.
• Experience of leading, motivating and developing teams across several disciplines, and of leading cultural and business critical change.
• Education to postgraduate degree level or equivalent skills and experience. A legal qualification is desirable.
• Experience of deputising at a senior level, and a willingness to travel across the UK and overseas, including overnight stays.

You do not need to currently hold an Executive Director role to apply. We welcome candidates who can demonstrate the proven ability, experience and potential to operate successfully at this level.

Further information on this role is detailed in the Candidate Information Pack, which includes the Job Description and Person Specification (click to download).

Advert Closing Date: 20 October 2026 (all vacancies close at 1pm). Applications are reviewed weekly and we reserve the right to close the advert early.

Interview Date: 18 - 19 November 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be required to attend in person in London for a presentation and a competency based interview. Candidates will be notified promptly of the outcome.

Application Process

*     To apply please submit your CV and Supporting Statement demonstrating how you meet the job role and essential criteria.

*     We will not consider applications without a supporting statement.

*     We are unable to provide feedback at shortlisting stage.

Important Information

*     Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

*     We conduct original document checks, as part of pre-employment screening.

*     Candidates require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal record check.

*     Where qualifications are required, employment is conditional on verification. Original documents will be checked on or before the first day of appointment.

We are a certified Disability Confident Employer and will aim to interview all applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria on the person specification.

HCPC's vision is to be recognised as an actively anti-discriminatory organisation that upholds and promotes best practice in equality, diversity and inclusion and an active ally for change. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join the HCPC. Please refer to HCPCs Behavioural Standards Framework.