At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead mental health services across the Midlands and drive innovative change.
- Company: Join a leading organisation dedicated to improving mental health support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a mission-driven team focused on community care and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in mental health while shaping future services.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in health or social care and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
We're now looking for an experienced and strategic Head of Area to lead our operational services across the Midlands and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of mental health support.
About the Role
Reporting to the Regional Associate Director, you'll provide leadership across a diverse portfolio of mental health and social care services, ensuring they deliver outstanding outcomes, meet contractual requirements, and remain financially sustainable. You'll work closely with NHS Integrated Care Systems (ICSs), Local Authorities, commissioners, funders, and community partners to influence service delivery and identify opportunities for growth and innovation. You'll also lead a team of Service Managers, Contract Managers, and Registered Managers, creating a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Services within your remit may include:
- Community mental health support
- Housing and supported living services
- Employment and vocational programmes
- Crisis cafés
- Carer support services
- Criminal justice services
- Care navigation
- Peer support and mentoring
- Suicide prevention and bereavement services
- Helplines and registered groups
What You'll Be Doing
- Providing strategic and operational leadership across services throughout the Midlands.
- Managing large-scale contracts, budgets, and performance frameworks.
- Building influential relationships with commissioners, NHS partners, Local Authorities, and voluntary sector organisations.
- Driving quality, compliance, safeguarding, and risk management standards.
- Identifying opportunities to expand services, secure new contracts, and support income growth.
- Leading service transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Ensuring people with lived experience remain at the heart of decision-making and service design.
- Representing Rethink Mental Illness externally and strengthening our reputation across the region.
About You
We're looking for an inspirational leader with a strong track record of delivering high-quality health, social care, or mental health services. You'll bring:
- Significant senior leadership experience within health, social care, NHS, or mental health services.
- Experience managing complex service contracts, large budgets, and operational performance.
- Strong understanding of commissioning, procurement, and service development.
- Proven ability to lead dispersed multi-site teams and drive organisational change.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the credibility to engage commissioners, government bodies, and sector partners.
- Experience using data and insights to influence strategic decision-making.
- A genuine commitment to co-production, inclusion, and person-centred care.
- A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly across the Midlands.
Apply Today
If you're a strategic leader with the drive, expertise, and passion to improve mental health outcomes at scale, we'd love to hear from you.
Join us in building communities that care.
Head of Area in Birmingham employer: Rethink Mental Illness
At Rethink Mental Illness, we pride ourselves on fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment where every employee can thrive. Our commitment to employee wellbeing is reflected in our comprehensive benefits package, including access to a Wellbeing Hub, flexible working arrangements, and generous leave policies. With a strong focus on professional development and a culture that values diversity, we empower our team members to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those they serve within the North East Prisons.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Area in Birmingham
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Rethink Mental Illness.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Rethink Mental Illness!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Rethink Mental Illness, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Rethink Mental Illness or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Area in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Rethink Mental Illness:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Rethink Mental Illness! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rethink Mental Illness
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
