Clinical Director in Hove

We are looking for a calm, resourceful and committed psychotherapist who has extensive experience in the field of mental health, to be our Clinical Director. They will work alongside the Operations Director in a co-leadership role in running the organisation and in supporting our aims of providing affordable counselling and psychotherapy to the local community. They will need to be able to look outward and liaise with other local mental health services, providers and funders and also to look inwards at the structure and health of our growing team of practitioners and the needs and requirements of our client group.

Phoenix Therapy Practice opened in April 2019 and is a not for profit, Community Interest Company. We offer a wide range of psychological therapies to clients seeking help with mild, moderate, and severe mental health problems. Our aim is to provide high quality counselling and therapy at an affordable cost depending upon the circumstances of each individual client. Our community of over 55 practitioners work together to enhance the development of the service and the inter-relationships within the organization, through regular business meetings, process groups and reflective groups. We operate from our two practices at 2 Osmond Road, Hove and 14 St George's Place, Brighton. Our income comes via room rental and grants.

Purpose of Job: To work with the Operations Director in the Co-Leadership of Phoenix Therapy Practice in its provision of services and its strategic consolidation and development. To take clinical responsibility for the therapeutic practice of the organisation, to monitor the makeup of the practitioner team and trainees and to take on new people as required. To work with the referrals team in the management of all client services.

Hours: 15 hours per week to be organised as required across the week.

Working Location: From home with meetings on site as required.

Start Date: Autumn 2026

Salary: NJC scale PO5 point 38. £49,282 Pro rata £21,120

Pension: Nest Pension Scheme

Probationary period: 6 months

Holidays: 25 days per year plus Bank Holidays (pro rata)

Relationships and contacts: The Board, Operations Director, Practice Manager, Administrator, Practitioners, Users of the Service.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Strategic and Organisational Leadership: Work collaboratively with the Operations Director in the co-leadership of Phoenix Therapy Practice. Meet with the Operations Director on a regular basis and liaise on all matters financial, strategic, clinical and general. Work with the Board to report on all service provision and development. Contribute to fund raising applications for low-cost therapy and writing feedback reports to funders. Attend quarterly Board meetings, provide reports, and contribute to strategic planning. Attend the bi-monthly business meeting (Saturday mornings). Attend the quarterly process group (Saturday mornings). Co-lead on Phoenix's Anti-Racist strategy and work with all staff to maintain an inclusive working environment. Oversee the makeup of the practitioner body and monitor requirements for additional resources. Interview and support new practitioners.
• Clinical (Clients): Carry out initial consultations as required. Review all initial consultation reports and with the other members of the Referrals team, allocate to the most appropriate practitioner. Liaise with the Practice manager in dealing with queries from clients and allocation to therapy and any other clinical issues. Monitor the main email inbox and liaise directly with clients and practitioners regarding clinical issues, either by email or phone, when required. Have an overview of Phoenix therapy groups and liaise with the practitioners who run them. Deal with any concerns or complaints from users, being mindful of referral to the Board for consideration where needed. Liaise with the Director of Operations in matters of safeguarding. Oversee all discharge summaries from practitioners and exit questionnaires from clients.
• Clinical (Practitioners): Review on a regular basis the makeup of the practitioner body and identify any areas of need. Consider all applications to join Phoenix, interview with potential supervisors, obtain references and follow up. Support practitioners, and respond to concerns as appropriate. Liaise with the supervisors of the student practitioners, on a regular basis. Meet with the practitioners on placement after their 6 months probationary period and at the end of their placement, to review their position. Having first obtained reports from the supervisors. Meet with graduate practitioners at the end of their year on the graduate scheme. Step in, in the event of sudden practitioner departure due to illness or death, and liaise with the clients as necessary. Ensure that all practitioners carrying out initial consultations are apprised of the manner of doing these.

Closing Date for applications: 28.9.26. Interviews: 15.10.26