Location: Somerset, UK
Salary: Band 9 (£105,385 to £121,271 per annum)
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Do you have the vision and drive to lead a dedicated service in delivering exceptional care to patients requiring Mental Health and Learning Disabilities support across the county of Somerset?
If so, we invite you to join Somerset NHS Foundation Trust as our new Service Group Director for Mental Health and Learning Disabilities.
The Role
As the Service Group Director, you will play a pivotal role in leading the Mental Health and Learning Disabilities service group. You will be responsible for ensuring high standards of clinical and non-clinical performance, governance, quality, and financial management. Your leadership will drive the strategic and operational goals of the service group, promoting a culture that reflects our trust's values.
Our population in Somerset is changing, as are we as an organisation. We are proud to be an increasingly diverse, international, and outward-looking trust with a strong commitment to equalities, diversity, and inclusion. In line with this, we welcome applications from candidates who have experience of managing diverse teams within diverse communities.
If you're passionate about making a difference and have the skills and experience we're looking for, we'd love to hear from you.
This is a hybrid role however there will be an expectation for you to work across the County.
Main Duties of the Role
1. Leadership and Strategy: Develop and implement long-term strategic plans and establish clear goals for the service group.
2. Management and Accountability: Oversee clinical/non-clinical performance, governance, quality, financial management, and human resources.
3. Culture and Transformation: Promote a culture of care aligned with trust values and lead significant transformation efforts with system partners.
4. Patient and Stakeholder Engagement: Ensure the voices of patients and their families are incorporated into service delivery and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders.
5. Financial Management: Manage the budget, ensuring financial accountability and sustainability, and lead cost improvement plans.
6. Team Development: Recruit, support, and develop colleagues to meet service needs and promote a culture of inclusiveness and collaboration.
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is a former HSJ Mental Health Trust of the Year, recognised for the quality of our services and our ground-breaking work in partnership with the voluntary sector through our Open Mental Health programme.
We have a relocation package available if you're looking to make the move to Somerset, and we'll support you with advice on location/area.
About Us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
* Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
* NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
* Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
* A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset?
Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job Responsibilities
About You
We're looking for an experienced leader with a track record of success in a similar role. You'll have:
* A master's level education or equivalent experience with a postgraduate qualification in health service management or equivalent.
* Senior operational management experience in a complex organisation.
* In-depth knowledge of current legislation for mental health and learning disabilities.
* Proven strategic planning and execution skills.
* Strong financial management abilities.
* Demonstrable experience of managing challenging and high-risk operational situations in NHS mental health services, with a strong understanding of the importance of multi-disciplinary working and care planning processes.
* Previous experience of transforming services whilst maintaining strong financial control.
* Previous experience of working with Experts by Experience and a robust understanding of the application of co-production.
* Demonstrated success in quality and safety improvement initiatives.
* Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
* Exceptional leadership and team development capabilities.
Desirable:
* Experience of leading diverse teams to effectively serve diverse communities within the context of improving health inequalities and access to mental healthcare.
Interview Process
The recruitment process will involve a two-stage interview process:
1. Pre-Screen Interview: Conducted by the recruitment team to assess applicants' suitability and ensure alignment of expectations. This will be combined with a Situational Judgement Test. Both activities will take place on Monday 24th February 2025, at your choice of two locations: Taunton or Bristol.
2. Formal Interview Day: For shortlisted applicants, a formal interview day will be held in Taunton on Monday 24th March 2025.
Contact Information
If you would like more information about the role, please contact Emma Eggbeer, Talent Acquisition Specialist via email at emma.eggbeer@somersetft.nhs.uk to set up a call.
The recruitment process for this role is supported by Artificial Intelligence (AI). If you would like more information, please contact dee.barber@somersetft.nhs.uk.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* Master's level education or equivalent experience. Postgraduate qualification in health service management or equivalent experience.
Experience
Essential
* Senior operational management experience in a complex organisation. Previous experience of managing NHS inpatient and community services at a senior level. Demonstrable experience of managing challenging and high-risk operational situations in NHS mental health services, with a strong understanding of the importance of multi-disciplinary working and care planning processes. Previous experience of transforming services whilst maintaining strong financial control. Previous experience of working with Experts by Experience and a robust understanding of the application of co-production.
Desirable
* Experience of leading diverse teams to effectively serve diverse communities within the context of improving health inequalities and access to mental healthcare.
Additional Criteria
Essential
* A strong understanding of the regulated environment in which NHS mental healthcare is delivered. A good working knowledge of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity legislation. Strong relationship-building skills with a wide range of stakeholders. Analytical skills to develop practical solutions to complex problems. Strategic and tactical planning capabilities. Leadership and influencing skills. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Employer Details
Employer Name
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Trustwide
The Crescent
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 4DY
Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr