Job summary 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 job Main Duties of the Role Leadership and Strategy: Develop and implement long-term strategic plans and establish clear goals for the service group. Management and Accountability: Oversee clinical/non-clinical performance, governance, quality, financial management, and human resources. Culture and Transformation: Promote a culture of care aligned with trust values and lead significant transformation efforts with system partners. Patient and Stakeholder Engagement: Ensure the voices of patients and their families are incorporated into service delivery and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders. Financial Management: Manage the budget, ensuring financial accountability and sustainability, and lead cost improvement plans. 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. https://www.youtube.com/watch?vfFDf4LvOQug Date posted 22 January 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 9 Salary £105,385 to £121,171 a year Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 184-OL-OR-1809 Job locations Trustwide The Crescent Taunton Somerset TA1 4DY Job description 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.eggbeersomersetft.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.barbersomersetft.nhs.uk. Job description 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.eggbeersomersetft.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.barbersomersetft.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. 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. 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 Somerset NHS Foundation Trust Address Trustwide The Crescent Taunton Somerset TA1 4DY Employer's website https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)