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- Tasks: Lead strategic improvements in mental health services to reduce delays and enhance patient care.
- Company: Join an NHS Trust dedicated to transforming mental health services and ensuring quality care.
- Benefits: Earn £650-£750 per day, with flexible on-site work options in beautiful Sussex.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on patient flow and quality while collaborating with supportive leaders.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in mental health, with strong skills in stakeholder management and service improvement.
- Other info: Initial 3-month contract with potential for extension; immediate start available.
Job Description
We are seeking an experienced Improvement Director with a mental health background to support an NHS Trust in reducing delays and length of stay, while providing assurance to the ICB under increasing regulatory scrutiny. This position is an initial 3-month contract (likely extension), with an immediate start ideally week commencing 21st, working a minimum of 3 days per week on-site in Sussex.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide strategic leadership and assurance to the ICB and Trust on improvement plans to reduce 12-hour delays and lengths of stay within mental health services.
- Conduct a baseline assessment and develop a clear strategic plan aligned with existing initiatives.
- Engage and build relationships with C-suite leaders, the Chief Medical Officer, ACU, and divisional leadership to drive improvement priorities.
- Guide, support, and align teams around improvement delivery while maintaining a hands-off, assurance-focused position.
- Monitor, evaluate, and report progress to executive leadership and regulatory bodies.
- Identify risks, barriers, and opportunities within operational and clinical processes to support sustainable improvements.
Essential Skills and Experience:
- Senior leadership experience at C-suite or equivalent level within mental health services.
- Background in operations and/or clinical leadership within NHS or mental health provider settings.
- Experience leading or providing assurance on service improvement and transformation initiatives within pressured regulatory environments.
- Strong stakeholder management, influencing, and collaborative skills to align clinical, operational, and system leaders.
- Ability to assess service delivery rapidly and develop a clear improvement roadmap.
Details:
- Location: Sussex (South Coast)
- Days: Minimum 3 days per week on-site (flexible)
- Rate: £650-£750 per day (Outside IR35)
- Start: Ideally week commencing 21st
- Contract: Initial 3 months, likely extension
Why This Role: This is an opportunity to make a strategic impact on patient flow, quality, and regulatory assurance within a mental health system under significant scrutiny while working with a supportive executive team, shaping improvement in a focused, meaningful way.
Improvement Director - Outside IR35 employer: SR2 - Socially Responsible Recruitment
Contact Detail:
SR2 - Socially Responsible Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Improvement Director - Outside IR35
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the mental health sector, especially those who have experience working with NHS Trusts. Attend relevant conferences or seminars to meet potential colleagues and decision-makers who can provide insights into the role and the organisation.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the current challenges facing NHS mental health services, particularly around delays and lengths of stay. Being well-informed will allow you to engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your understanding of the sector's needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led improvement initiatives in pressured environments. Highlight your strategic leadership skills and how they align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the ICB and the NHS Trust's current improvement plans and priorities. Tailoring your discussions to reflect their goals will show that you're proactive and genuinely interested in contributing to their success.
We think you need these skills to ace Improvement Director - Outside IR35
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your senior leadership experience in mental health services. Focus on specific achievements related to service improvement and transformation initiatives, especially in pressured regulatory environments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, emphasise your strategic leadership skills and your ability to engage with C-suite leaders. Mention your experience in reducing delays and lengths of stay, and how you can contribute to the NHS Trust's goals.
Highlight Relevant Experience: When detailing your work history, focus on roles where you provided assurance on service improvements. Use metrics and examples to demonstrate your impact on operational and clinical processes.
Showcase Stakeholder Management Skills: Illustrate your strong stakeholder management and collaborative skills. Provide examples of how you've successfully aligned clinical, operational, and system leaders in previous roles to drive improvement priorities.
How to prepare for a job interview at SR2 - Socially Responsible Recruitment
✨Understand the Role's Requirements
Make sure you thoroughly understand the key responsibilities and essential skills outlined in the job description. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, particularly in reducing delays and improving patient flow within mental health services.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Highlight your senior leadership experience, especially in C-suite or equivalent roles. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led service improvement initiatives in pressured regulatory environments, as this will be crucial for the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Management Skills
Be ready to discuss your approach to engaging and building relationships with various stakeholders, including C-suite leaders and divisional leadership. Share specific instances where your influencing and collaborative skills have led to successful outcomes.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Since the role involves providing strategic leadership and assurance, prepare to discuss your thought process in developing improvement roadmaps. Think about how you would conduct a baseline assessment and align it with existing initiatives, as this will likely come up during the interview.
