Service Group Director - Mental Health and Learning Disabilities

Job summary

Location: Somerset, UK

Salary: Band 9 (£105,385 to £121,271 per annum)

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Do you have the vision and drive to lead a dedicated service in delivering exceptional care to patients requiring Mental Health and Learning Disabilities support across the county of Somerset?

If so, we invite you to join Somerset NHS Foundation Trust as our new Service Group Director for Mental Health and Learning Disabilities.

The Role

As the Service Group Director, you will play a pivotal role in leading the Mental Health and Learning Disabilities service group. You will be responsible for ensuring high standards of clinical and non-clinical performance, governance, quality, and financial management. Your leadership will drive the strategic and operational goals of the service group, promoting a culture that reflects our trust's values.

Our population in Somerset is changing, as are we as an organisation. We are proud to be an increasingly diverse, international, and outward-looking trust with a strong commitment to equalities, diversity, and inclusion. In line with this, we welcome applications from candidates who have experience of managing diverse teams within diverse communities.

If you're passionate about making a difference and have the skills and experience we're looking for, we'd love to hear from you.

This is a hybrid role however there will be an expectation for you to work across the County.

Main duties, tasks & skills required

Main Duties of the Role

• Leadership and Strategy: Develop and implement long-term strategic plans and establish clear goals for the service group.
• Management and Accountability: Oversee clinical/non-clinical performance, governance, quality, financial management, and human resources.
• Culture and Transformation: Promote a culture of care aligned with trust values and lead significant transformation efforts with system partners.
• Patient and Stakeholder Engagement: Ensure the voices of patients and their families are incorporated into service delivery and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders.
• Financial Management: Manage the budget, ensuring financial accountability and sustainability, and lead cost improvement plans.
• Team Development: Recruit, support, and develop colleagues to meet service needs and promote a culture of inclusiveness and collaboration.

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is a former HSJ Mental Health Trust of the Year, recognised for the quality of our services and our ground-breaking work in partnership with the voluntary sector through our Open Mental Health programme.

We have a relocation package available if you're looking to make the move to Somerset, and we'll support you with advice on location/area.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Developing mental health services - Our So