Job summary SPFT provides mental health, learning disability and neurodevelopmental services for adults, children and young people in Brighton & Hove, East Sussex and West Sussex. The purpose of the Directorate is to enable the organisation to improve outcomes and drive better value through setting strategy, facilitating the translation of strategy into delivery plans and driving change within the organisation by prioritising, establishing and delivering transformation programmes. The Strategy and Planning Lead is key in setting the organisational direction and goals through the development and deployment of the Trust's strategy. Working with divisions and corporate services to translate the organisational strategy and local/national planning requirements, into an annual delivery plan. Main duties of the job The post holder will be responsible for strategy development and updates making sure that it is translated into the annual priorities and deployed through Divisions. The post holder will coordinate the annual planning process, ensuring that this work supports the delivery of the Trust's Strategy. The post holder will also support general improvement, planning and business development activities as requested. The post holder will work closely with colleagues in the Transformation & Change and Performance & Insights functions as well as colleagues from within the Trust and its system partners. About us Working for our organisation We're building an organisation that will impact future generations, where everyone is welcome. A place where you can be yourself and feel valued. Come build it with us. You don't need to look any further if you're after outstanding countryside and beautiful beaches. We've got the sea, air and the sound of the surf. There's the hustle and bustle of Brighton and the scenic South Downs. Not only that, the Hampshire and Sussex coastline is the sunniest place to live in the UK (just ask the Met Office) Date posted 20 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8b Salary £62,215 to £72,293 a year pa Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 354-CO-21558-A Job locations SPFT HQ Richmond Road Worthing BN11 1HS Job description Job responsibilities Strategy Lead on the development and implementation of effective processes for deploying the Trust's Strategy. Implement a regular review process to ensure delivery against Trust Strategy. Integrate strategy deployment with annual business planning Work with the Directorate's Transformation & Change and Improvement functions to ensure prioritisation of efforts and resources align to annual plan. Planning Support in the translation of national / local external planning requirements into SPFT's annual plan. The postholder will be responsible for providing specialised advice relating to the Trust's Strategy and forward planning. Proactively project manage the design production of the Annual Plan by analysing the requirement and setting out and publicising the timeline for what needs to be done by whom and when. Secure the input of senior staff from across the organisation into the planning process and make clear to them their expected contributions and the format they will be made in. Ensure the CSPO who is the Executive sponsor for plans, is briefed on progress and any difficulties. Evaluate success of business planning process and content and make changes for future plans. Communication and Relationship Manager Build effective working relationships across the organisation. Reach agreement and consensus on planning and monitoring processes with internal and external stakeholders. Clearly communicate the strategic goals of the organisation and how these translate for individual people and teams. Research and Development Support the development and delivery of audits using research methodology to improve Strategic Planning delivery. Support the development of research partnerships with key stakeholders. Use R&D to forecast future healthcare trends and prepare the organisation for upcoming challenges. Responsibility for Financial & Physical Resources Take a lead role in ensuring financial planning is integrated into the annual planning process. Work across the CSPO to ensure divisional finance plans are in place and appropriate budgets set. Human Resources Actively participate in recruitment and section for the function. The post holder will be frequently responsible for training and developmental programmes. Staff leadership and management The post holder will not hold direct line management responsibility but will be expected to form and lead a matrix planning team on an annual basis. This will involve bringing in the necessary expertise, setting individual priorities, promoting high performance, and ensuring the team are supported to undertake their required work. Job description Job responsibilities Strategy Lead on the development and implementation of effective processes for deploying the Trust's Strategy. Implement a regular review process to ensure delivery against Trust Strategy. Integrate strategy deployment with annual business planning Work with the Directorate's Transformation & Change and Improvement functions to ensure prioritisation of efforts and resources align to annual plan. Planning Support in the translation of national / local external planning requirements into SPFT's annual plan. The postholder will be responsible for providing specialised advice relating to the Trust's Strategy and forward planning. Proactively project manage the design production of the Annual Plan by analysing the requirement and setting out and publicising the timeline for what needs to be done by whom and when. Secure the input of senior staff from across the organisation into the planning process and make clear to them their expected contributions and the format they will be made in. Ensure the CSPO who is the Executive sponsor for plans, is briefed on progress and any difficulties. Evaluate success of business planning process and content and make changes for future plans. Communication and Relationship Manager Build effective working relationships across the organisation. Reach agreement and consensus on planning and monitoring processes with internal and external stakeholders. Clearly communicate the strategic goals of the organisation and how these translate for individual people and teams. Research and Development Support the development and delivery of audits using research methodology to improve Strategic Planning delivery. Support the development of research partnerships with key stakeholders. Use R&D to forecast future healthcare trends and prepare the organisation for upcoming challenges. Responsibility for Financial & Physical Resources Take a lead role in ensuring financial planning is integrated into the annual planning process. Work across the CSPO to ensure divisional finance plans are in place and appropriate budgets set. Human Resources Actively participate in recruitment and section for the function. The post holder will be frequently responsible for training and developmental programmes. Staff leadership and management The post holder will not hold direct line management responsibility but will be expected to form and lead a matrix planning team on an annual basis. This will involve bringing in the necessary expertise, setting individual priorities, promoting high performance, and ensuring the team are supported to undertake their required work. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Relevant postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience Knowledge Essential Thorough understanding of health and social care policy Knowledge of the workings of the NHS, the challenges it faces and of the reform agenda Significant prior experience of working in similar function Experience of communicating and engaging effectively with external agencies/stakeholder Experience in developing a range of plans/long term strategic plans for performance, service improvement in new areas across organisations Specialist knowledge of strategy setting, strategy deployment and planning Specialist knowledge and detailed delivery experience of NHS policy, strategy and planning processes Person Specification Qualifications Essential Relevant postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience Knowledge Essential Thorough understanding of health and social care policy Knowledge of the workings of the NHS, the challenges it faces and of the reform agenda Significant prior experience of working in similar function Experience of communicating and engaging effectively with external agencies/stakeholder Experience in developing a range of plans/long term strategic plans for performance, service improvement in new areas across organisations Specialist knowledge of strategy setting, strategy deployment and planning Specialist knowledge and detailed delivery experience of NHS policy, strategy and planning processes Disclosure and Barring Service Check 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. Certificate of Sponsorship 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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). 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. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check 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. Certificate of Sponsorship 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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). 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. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Employer details Employer name Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Address SPFT HQ Richmond Road Worthing BN11 1HS Employer's website https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)