At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead quality and accreditation networks to enhance mental health services across the UK.
- Company: The Royal College of Psychiatrists, a leading voice in mental health care.
- Benefits: Up to 25 days annual leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusivity and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on mental health care while leading innovative projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in quality assurance and strong leadership skills required.
Contract type: 12-month Fixed-Term Maternity Cover
Location: London
Closing date for applications: Friday 7 August 2026, 11:59 pm
Interview date: Wednesday 26 August 2026 (via MS Teams)
The Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) is the professional membership body for psychiatrists and promotes excellent care for people with mental illnesses. It has 21,000 members and engages with government and the media as the leading voice of the UK’s mental health services. The College is an award-winning, values-based organisation.
THE ROLE
The College Centre for Quality Improvement (CCQI) works with mental health services across the UK to improve the quality of care they provide. Through our quality and accreditation networks, we work with more than 95% of UK mental health service providers. This means the work has significant impact on that quality of care. We run 30 nationally recognised quality and accreditation networks covering a wide range of mental health services and specialisms. Working collaboratively with clinicians, patients and carers, these networks develop evidence-based standards and support services to assess and improve the quality of care they deliver. Services that demonstrate excellence can achieve College accreditation. Around 1,500 services, representing more than 50,000 staff across the UK, currently participate in our networks.
We are seeking an exceptional leader to provide 12 months' maternity cover for this high-profile and innovative area of work. The successful candidate will lead a programme of quality and accreditation networks with an annual income of more than £2.3 million. They will provide strategic and operational leadership to a team of programme managers and will bring strong leadership, organisational and communication skills. The postholder will be an experienced people and project manager, with a track record in quality assurance, quality improvement, clinical audit or research, ideally within a healthcare setting. They will be confident working with senior stakeholders and leading complex programmes that deliver meaningful improvement. The successful candidate will promote and grow our work, including recruiting new members to our networks and identifying opportunities for income generation. Experience of securing funding or generating income would therefore be advantageous. The successful candidate will be required to undertake a DBS check.
THE COLLEGE
The College values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community, reflecting the population it serves. We are committed to building and maintaining an inclusive and supportive culture, a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We aim to promote a more inclusive environment, which attracts all candidates and signals our commitment to celebrate and promote diversity. We will provide appropriate reasonable adjustments for candidates who may have disabilities. We only recruit the best and in return for your commitment, the College offers an attractive salary and benefits. We operate a hybrid working model of on-site and working from home/remote, which helps to ensure a flexible work-life balance.
STAFF BENEFITS
- Up to 25 days of annual leave, depending on length of service (exclusive of public and bank holidays)
- Up to six College closures days (during May, August and December)
- Generous flexi-time and time off in lieu (TOIL) schemes
- Enhanced maternity leave (eight weeks at full pay, 18 weeks at half pay, 13 weeks lower rate SMP, 13 weeks unpaid leave)
- Enhanced paternity leave (two weeks at full pay, rather than at statutory level)
- Interest-free season ticket loan
- Health and wellbeing package (including up to £160 for complementary therapies)
- Money towards annual eye tests
- 24/7 health and stress-related helplines
- Management support helplines
- Group Income Protection Scheme
- Generous pension and life assurance schemes
The College is an Equal Opportunities Employer. The College is a proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme. A Disability Confident employer will offer an interview to any applicant who declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria (essential) for the job as defined by the employer.
Head of Quality and Accreditation in London employer: Diversifying.io
Diversifying.io is an exceptional employer located in Hertford, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With competitive salaries and a commitment to customer satisfaction, employees are empowered to develop their skills in a dynamic environment, making it a rewarding place for those passionate about resolving customer issues effectively.
