About this role
Job summary
Shape the future of mental health services across North London
North London NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest and most ambitious mental health providers in the country. Formed in November 2024 following the merger of Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust and Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, we serve a diverse population of 1.8 million people across five London boroughs with an annual turnover of over £670 million and more than 6,000 colleagues.
We're now seeking an exceptional Director of Planned Care to join our Executive leadership team and help shape the next chapter of our organisation.
Main duties of the job
The opportunity
Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, you will lead our Planned Care Group, providing strategic and operational leadership across community mental health services, talking therapies, outreach and other planned care pathways.
Working in partnership with senior clinical leaders, you will be accountable for operational performance, quality, finance, workforce, transformation and governance, ensuring our services continue to improve outcomes whilst delivering exceptional care closer to home.
This is a role with significant influence across the organisation and wider North Central London system, offering the opportunity to shape services, develop partnerships and improve the lives of the communities we serve.
About us
Why North London Foundation Trust?
This is far more than an operational leadership role.
You'll be joining an ambitious Executive Team committed to delivering our vision of Better Mental Health. Better Lives. Better Communities. You'll help shape services across one of the most diverse populations in the country whilst leading transformation, innovation and continuous improvement at scale.
If you're motivated by making a genuine difference to patients, communities and colleagues, we'd love to hear from you.
Informal conversations
For a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact our recruitment partners at Hunter Healthcare.
Job description Job responsibilities
About you
We're looking for an inspiring, collaborative and values-led executive leader who can demonstrate:
Significant senior operational leadership experience within a large, complex healthcare organisation. A track record of delivering high-quality services alongside sustained operational and financial improvement. Experience leading large multidisciplinary teams through transformation and organisational change. Strong partnership working across integrated care systems, local authorities and wider health and care partners. Excellent strategic thinking, political awareness and the ability to influence at Board and system level. A commitment to equality, inclusion and reducing health inequalities for diverse communities. The ability to create compassionate, high-performing cultures where colleagues feel empowered to deliver their very best.
Person Specification
Education Essential
Educated to Masters' level or equivalent experience at board level Postgraduate or Leadership/ management qualification
EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE Essential
Substantial and relevant Proven experience at senior management level with responsibility for operations in complex health/social care setting (service director or equivalent) Experience and evidence of delivering high standards of performance to achieve national and local targets within a complex healthcare setting Experience of business planning in complex organisations Strong knowledge and experience of complex finance and budgetary planning, management and cost improvement Experience of managing large-scale organisational change in a complex environment Experience of delivering efficiency and productivity targets at operational level Experience of working effectively in partnership with other organisations Experience of dealing with difficult situations including the resolution of conflict and influencing others to accept demanding outcomes Demonstratable knowledge of the relationship between the department of Health, NHSE/I and ICS Experience of operational planning with a track record of delivery to deadlines Significant experience and evidence of creative strategic thinking. Recent evidence and experience of positive leadership skills and the ability to transform and lead a team to work effectively together. Experience of translating strategic goals into effective operational plans and objectives Substantial and relevant senior management experience in a key healthcare operational role. Demonstrate achievements in improving patient care, meeting NHS targets and managing within budgets.
Desirable
Experience and evidence of formal project management
SKILLS, ABILITIES & VALUES Essential
Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills necessary to establish and maintain Ability to anticipate and plan for change Demonstrate an ability to lead and motivate individuals and teams Highly numerate and high level of analytical/problem solving skills
PERSONAL QUALITIES Essential
High levels of resilience, tenacity, self-belief in own abilities and integrity Team worker as well as individual achiever Able to manage a range of responsibilities at the same time, giving priority to all dimensions of the role appropriately, and meeting necessary deadlines Supportive, caring, respectful Must have operational experience working in a MH setting, and have sound understanding of the NHS current legislation, national strategy and regulatory frameworks. Proven ability to be intellectually flexible and to be able to look beyond existing processes and ways of working to produce more effective service delivery. Specialist knowledge and experience is required over a large number of specialties to include Human Resources, Finance, Performance Management, Planning and Communications in additional to extensive operational management knowledge Demonstrable understanding of quality and risk management issues and standards
Desirable
Evidence of a sound understanding in operational management continuous improvement methodologies Experience of working with multi- agency committees and establishing relationships with external organisations
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name North London NHS Foundation Trust
Address St Pancras Hospital
St Pancras Way
London
NW1 0PE
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.northlondonmentalhealth.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)