Director of Policy & Practice

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Director of Policy and Practice to work as part of our Policy and Practice Team. Imagine being part of an organisation whose common purpose is to help those who are severely impacted by mental illness. We believe that everyone should be treated with respect and dignity – and that’s why equity is one of our core values. We draw on the expertise, unique perspectives and lived experience of our people – regardless of who they are or their background – to help us become an inclusive and anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider that reflects the diverse communities we support as a mental health charity.

The Policy and Practice team at Rethink Mental Illness is pivotal in advancing the charity's mission to improve the lives of those severely affected by mental illness. The team bridges national policy influencing with understanding local service insights, ensuring that systemic changes translate into tangible benefits for individuals and communities. Central to their approach is the integration of lived experience. By collaborating closely with individuals who have firsthand experience of mental health challenges, the team ensures that policies and practices are grounded in real-world needs. This commitment is exemplified in their co-production model, which has been instrumental in shaping Integrated Care Systems and Provider Collaboratives across England.

The team’s influence extends through active participation in key policy networks, including the Mental Health Policy Group and the Richmond Group. These collaborations amplify their influencing efforts, promoting a unified voice in mental health reform.

The Director of Policy and Practice plays a critical leadership role at Rethink Mental Illness, working to shape and deliver high-impact policy and practice strategies that influence national and local systems, amplify the voice of lived experience, and lead tangible improvements in services and support for people living with severe mental illness. The Director leads the development of evidence-based policy positions, building strong relationships with government, the NHS, and wider stakeholders to secure meaningful change. They ensure Rethink Mental Illness remains a credible and authoritative voice in shaping mental health reform, including areas such as the Mental Health Act, community mental health support, housing, employment, and social security.

Alongside influencing policy, the role is responsible for translating best practice into service innovation. The Director oversees a portfolio of programmes understanding insights from services and people using, providing and commissioning services. They ensure that learning from co-produced services and pilots informs national policy and practice, creating a virtuous cycle of innovation and influence.

As a member of the Directors Team, sitting underneath the Executive Team, the Director contributes to organisational strategy and cross-cutting priorities, championing co-production, equality, and sustainability. This role requires strategic insight, systems leadership, and a deep understanding of the social determinants of health, with the ultimate goal of building a fairer, more compassionate mental health system.

At Rethink Mental Illness, we believe diversity, inclusiveness and belonging strengthen our workplace and improve the support we provide. By drawing on the experiences of our people, we better reflect the communities we serve. Staff networks for ethnically diverse and LGBTQIA+ colleagues help shape our culture and keep us accountable. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and a signatory to the Race at Work Charter. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, especially people with lived experience of mental illness, and those who identify as LGBTQIA+, neurodiverse, disabled, or from racially minoritised groups. We are also on a journey to become a truly anti-racist organisation, guided by a multi-year Race Equality Action Plan that sets out our commitments and holds us to account.