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- Tasks: Lead strategic improvements in mental health services to reduce delays and enhance patient care.
- Company: Join a dedicated NHS Trust focused on improving mental health outcomes in Sussex.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, flexible on-site work, and potential for contract extension.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on patient flow and quality while collaborating with an executive team.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in mental health services and strong stakeholder management skills required.
- Other info: Immediate start available; ideal for those passionate about transforming mental health care.
The predicted salary is between 52000 - 78000 £ per year.
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.
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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 within 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 mental health services in the NHS, particularly around delays and lengths of stay. This knowledge will help you 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 leadership roles where you've successfully implemented service improvements. Highlight your strategic thinking and ability to work collaboratively with C-suite leaders to drive change.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your stakeholder management skills by preparing to discuss how you've influenced and aligned diverse teams in previous roles. Be ready to explain your approach to building relationships and ensuring everyone is on board with improvement initiatives.
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 within mental health services, 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 improvement plans. Use metrics to demonstrate your impact, such as percentage reductions in delays or improvements in patient flow.
Showcase Stakeholder Management Skills: Provide examples of how you've successfully managed stakeholders in previous roles. Highlight your influencing and collaborative skills, particularly in aligning clinical, operational, and system leaders towards common goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at SR2 - Socially Responsible Recruitment
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Make sure to highlight your senior leadership experience, especially within mental health services. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led improvement initiatives and navigated regulatory scrutiny in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Engagement Skills
Since the role requires strong stakeholder management, think of instances where you've effectively engaged with C-suite leaders or other key stakeholders. Share how you built relationships and aligned teams around improvement priorities.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Expect questions about your approach to developing strategic plans and conducting baseline assessments. Be ready to articulate how you would align your strategies with existing initiatives to reduce delays and lengths of stay.
✨Discuss Risk Management and Opportunities
Be prepared to talk about how you identify risks and barriers in operational and clinical processes. Share your insights on how to leverage opportunities for sustainable improvements, as this will be crucial for the role.
