At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Wirral Stop Smoking service, driving health improvements and community engagement.
- Company: Join ABL Health, a dynamic community health organisation making a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive culture focused on innovation and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on community health while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Experience in health services and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40582 - 49600 £ per year.
Wirral Stop Smoking service provides tailored, personalised stop smoking support to help residents quit for good. The service focuses on improving long-term health outcomes, reducing smoking-related harm, and addressing health inequalities across the borough. By targeting support towards communities and groups most affected by tobacco use, the service plays a key role in creating healthier, more resilient communities.
Main duties of the job
- Provide strategic leadership and overall accountability for the Wirral Stop Smoking service, ensuring delivery against contractual KPIs, performance targets and quality standards.
- Lead multidisciplinary teams and subcontractors, fostering a high-performing, compassionate and inclusive culture that places service users at the centre of delivery.
- Oversee communications, marketing, community engagement and lead generation to increase awareness, uptake and referrals, building strong relationships with commissioners and key stakeholders.
- Drive service development and continuous improvement using performance data, population insights and evidence-based approaches.
- Manage workforce planning, service capacity, budgets and resources to ensure efficient, equitable delivery and value for money.
- Ensure robust governance, safeguarding, information governance, health and safety and risk management processes.
- Act as the primary contact for commissioners, provide high-quality performance and outcomes reporting, and represent ABL Health at senior system and partnership forums.
About us
ABL is an exciting, fast-paced, growing community health organisation. As an experienced, CQC-registered provider of community health services, we are passionate about delivering evidence-based, innovative, effective, and relevant healthcare services in partnership with individuals, communities, and stakeholders.
Job responsibilities
- At Wirral Stop Smoking we work collaboratively with local partners to deliver accessible, evidence-based interventions and outreach support. Together, the aim is to empower individuals to take control of their health, improve wellbeing, and reduce inequalities within local communities.
Role Purpose:
- Service Leadership, Performance and Culture Overall leadership and accountability for Wirral Stop Smoking, ensuring delivery against contractual KPIs, outcomes and quality standards. Leading and managing multidisciplinary teams and any subcontractors, embedding a high-performance, compassionate and accountable culture. Ensuring the service remains people-powered, with service user voice, co-production and inclusion embedded throughout delivery and development.
- Communications, Engagement, Promotion and Lead Generation Holding strategic ownership of communications and engagement, ensuring the service is clearly positioned, well-promoted and trusted across Wirral. Ensuring effective service promotion and lead generation, driving awareness, uptake and appropriate referrals through community, system and digital channels. Overseeing the development and delivery of communications and marketing strategies in partnership with ABL's communications and engagement teams. Ensuring strong stakeholder and community engagement to support sustained referral pathways into and out of the service.
- Service Development and Solution-Focused Improvement Leading service development and innovation, identifying challenges, gaps and opportunities and designing practical, evidence-based solutions. Translating commissioner priorities, population insight and performance data into clear service improvement and development plans. Driving continuous improvement using ABL's improvement framework, enabling staff and partners to contribute to innovation and problem-solving.
- Strategic Planning, Capacity and Resources Ensuring effective workforce, capacity and resource planning to meet current and future demand. Ensuring services are delivered efficiently and equitably across Wirral, targeted to priority populations and areas of greatest need.
- Financial Management and Value for Money Full accountability for service budgets, financial performance and cost control. Ensuring best use of resources and demonstrable value for money for commissioners.
- Governance, Quality, Risk and Health and Safety Ensuring robust governance systems are embedded, including safeguarding, information governance and health and safety. Oversight of risk identification, mitigation and escalation across the service.
- Commissioner and System Leadership Acting as the senior accountable lead and primary point of contact for commissioners. Producing high-quality reports covering performance, outcomes, social value, lived experience and improvement activity. Representing Wirral Stop Smoking and ABL at senior system, place, ICS and partnership forums.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Strategic leadership of service delivery, performance, quality and finances.
- Lead workforce planning, resource allocation and service improvement.
- Maintain governance, risk, safeguarding and stakeholder relationships.
- Drive engagement, referrals and system-wide partnerships.
Required Skills and Competencies
- Strong senior leadership and people management skills.
- Strategic thinking and ability to manage complex services.
- Excellent communication, influencing and partnership working.
- Data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement focus.
Qualifications / Training Requirements
- Degree (or equivalent experience) in health/social care.
- Experience in public health, community or integrated care settings.
- Knowledge of governance, safeguarding and financial management.
Please note that we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
Person Specification
Experience
- Delivery/management experience e.g., weight management, smoking cessation, health checks or behaviour change.
- Experience in managing and inspiring large teams and partners.
- Demonstrable experience in working with external boards, and steering groups to improve lifestyle/behaviour change outcomes for the population.
- Experience in contract and performance management.
- Demonstrable experience with service improvement measures.
- Experience in using data (service data, population health data) to inform service development to improve outcomes.
- Experience in working with commissioners.
Qualifications
- Essential: Degree (or equivalent experience) in the health-related field: e.g. Nutrition, Dietetics, Nursing, Public Health, Community Health, Health Improvement, Community Development.
- Desirable: Masters Qualification or equivalent.
Job Specific Requirements
- Work flexibly and adapt to suit service needs, including evening and weekend work.
- Willingness to travel to all delivery locations in Bolton where required.
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.
Head of Service employer: ABL Health
ABL Health is an exceptional employer located in Swindon, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises the well-being of both employees and the children and young people they serve. With a strong focus on professional development, including opportunities for clinical supervision training, employees can expect to grow their skills while enjoying benefits such as flexible annual leave, a birthday day off, and team-building events. Join a diverse clinical team dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the community, where your contributions are valued and recognised.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service
✨Get Involved with Local Health Initiatives
Join local community health events or volunteer for organisations like public health agencies. This not only builds your experience but also helps you network with industry professionals who might know of openings at places like ABL Health.
✨Tap into Professional Associations
Check out associations like the Institute of Healthcare Management. They often have job boards, networking events, and conferences that are perfect for connecting with potential employers in health sciences administration.
✨Stay Updated with Industry Trends
Follow health policy news and trends—being knowledgeable about the current landscape will not only help you in interviews but also make you stand out as a candidate. You can discuss recent developments and their implications when chatting with folks at ABL Health.
✨Apply Through Our Website for Better Visibility
When you find roles that excite you, especially at places like ABL Health, don’t forget to apply through our website. This can sometimes give you an edge by showing the employer you’re savvy and committed to finding the right fit.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Service
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a role in health sciences administration, it's super important to spotlight any relevant experience you have in healthcare settings. Whether you've worked in a hospital, a clinic, or any related environment, make sure to detail those roles in your CV – focusing on your responsibilities and achievements that align with the job at ABL Health.
Showcase Your Administrative Skills:Administrative skills are key in this field, so don’t hold back! Make sure your CV reflects your proficiency in things like scheduling, data management, and compliance with health regulations. Mention specific software you’ve used, such as patient management systems, as this will demonstrate your hands-on abilities and readiness for the role at ABL Health.
Craft a Meaningful Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for the health sciences field and your eagerness to contribute to ABL Health. Share a bit about why you’re drawn to this sector, any impactful situations or challenges you’ve encountered, and how they’ve shaped your desire to work in health sciences administration. This personal touch can really set you apart!
Tailor Your Documents to the Job:Don't use a one-size-fits-all approach! Make sure your CV and cover letter are specifically tailored for this role. Highlight any certifications you have relevant to health administration, and ensure you clearly connect your previous roles to the skills needed for the full-time position at ABL Health. This way, you're showing them you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in being a part of their team.
How to prepare for a job interview at ABL Health
✨Showcase Your Administrative Skills
In health sciences administration, being organised is key. Make sure you can demonstrate your skills in managing schedules, paperwork, and data accurately. Be ready to discuss specific tools you've used, like electronic health record systems or scheduling software, and how they improved efficiency in your past experiences.
✨Know Your Regulations
Familiarity with healthcare regulations and compliance is crucial. Brush up on HIPAA, GDPR, or other relevant policies before your interview. We recommend preparing examples of how you've ensured compliance or handled sensitive information in past roles—this will show you're not just knowledgeable but also responsible.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Interviews for administrative roles often involve scenario-based questions to assess your problem-solving skills. Practice responses to common situations you might face, such as dealing with a challenging patient or managing a sudden schedule change. This will not only demonstrate your ability to think on your feet but also highlight your interpersonal skills.
✨Align Your Goals with the Organisation
As a full-time candidate, employers will want to know how your long-term career goals align with their mission. Take some time to research ABL Health’s values and be ready to tie your passion for health sciences administration into their objectives. Demonstrating enthusiasm and career alignment can be a game-changer in this competitive field!
