About this role
Job summary
This is a 12 month fixed term contract as parental leave cover for the Head of Transformation and Change. The post holder will continue the strategic delivery of transformation initiatives across all areas of the Trust, in both clinical and non-clinical settings. This role is central to driving innovation, improving service quality, and embedding sustainable change that enhances outcomes for patients, staff, and the wider system.
The intended start date in post is October/November 2026.
Main duties of the job
Working in close partnership with operational, clinical, and corporate teams, the postholder will shape and implement programmes that support the strategic priorities of the Trust. They will champion a culture of sustainable change, ensuring that transformation is inclusive, evidence-based, and aligned with organisational priorities and national policy.
The post will report to the Director of Transformation, whilst being required to work closely with Trust leadership and stakeholders to collaboratively and proactively influence key Trust initiative and outcomes.
The individual will be expected to report to external and internal stakeholders on progress, highlight challenges and determine what resourcing is required for sustainable change.
The post holder will be required to deputise for the Director of Transformation, as required, ensuring continuity in leadership and oversight across transformational and change activities within the Trust.
About us
South London and Maudsley (SLaM) is on an ambitious journey to ensure its services deliver outstanding mental health care, responding to the needs of the communities it serves - across all settings. NHS England set out a clear direction on enabling inpatient quality transformation across a range of inpatient services, recognising that this needs to be done in parallel to high quality, responsive models of care in the community. The NHS Long Term Plan has a strong focus on expanding and improving the quality of community care for people with mental health problems, with the aim to ensure more people are accessing community mental health services than ever before. SLaM is working with its partners to undertake major work on both its 24/7 crisis and acute offer, and its model of care in the community, in line with Trust strategy.
Job description Job responsibilities
Key duties and responsibilities
Lead the development and delivery of transformation programmes that support the Trusts strategic priorities and organisational-wide programmes, whilst navigating interdependencies across initiatives.
Provide expert leadership in change management methodologies and service redesign.
Ensure transformation projects are evidence-based, outcomes-focused, and aligned with national frameworks such as the NHS 10 Year Plan, ICS integration, and digital transformation.
Manage the change programmes and transformational initiatives within designated timeframe and identified budget.
Oversee the design, planning, and governance of transformation programmes from inception to delivery. Establish clear frameworks, reporting tools, and roles to ensure structured and accountable execution.
Collaborate with leadership teams, operational leads, and system partners to co-design and implement change initiatives.
Communicate programme goals and progress effectively. Create opportunities for staff and stakeholders to contribute to the vision and direction of transformation initiatives.
Oversee programme governance, risk management, and performance reporting to ensure delivery against agreed milestones and KPIs.
Ensure active engagement with staff, patients/service users, carers and stakeholders in co-production and service improvement activities.
Build capacity and capability for transformation across the Trust through coaching, training, and knowledge sharing.
Represent the Trust and Strategy & Transformation Team at internal and external meeting forums, contributing as a key stakeholder.
Undertake programme evaluation and analysis to embed future learning and drive a culture of continuous learning.
Conduct horizon scanning to identify emerging trends and best practices. Apply insights to enhance programme effectiveness and position the Trust as a leader in innovation and change.
Prepare high-quality reports, briefings, and presentations for senior leadership and external stakeholders, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and alignment with strategic objectives.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Master's level education in a relevant subject or equivalent post-graduate experience
Desirable
Portfolio or Programme Management qualification
Experience Essential
Evidenceof continuing professional development. Senior Management Experience in running a large number of complex programmes and initiatives with significant delivery targets Experience of managing budgets and resources effectively Experience of leading and managing change to deliver organisational goals Experience of leading business planning processes and delivering targets within an agreed budget Experience of working within the NHS or a related public sector organisation Experience of involving service users and carers in design and development
Desirable
Experience of leading transformation and innovation for pathways in mental health Experience working across health and social care and working to integrate wider partners such as VCSE Experience working to implement national initiatives for mental health
Knowledge Essential
Understanding of the role and function of other organisations providing mental health services Understanding of public sector management and NHS Mental Health services, Social and Primary Care services Understanding of working in a multi-cultural, inner-city environment with diverse communities and complex need Demonstrable understanding of and commitment to anti-racism and reducing inequalities Knowledge of recent legislation affecting the NHS and local authority Hold a strong understanding of mental health care, the direction of travel both locally and nationally, and able to navigate conflicting priorities in the design and development process
Skills Essential
Effective communications and interpersonal skills and proven ability to develop and manage key relationships at all levels Ability to develop close collaborative working relationship between individuals, teams and organisations Excellent report writing and presentation skills and proven ability to evaluate services and present findings to stakeholders Leadership skills especially the ability to lead and manage change through influence without direct management High level competency in using Information Technology (word, excel, access, PowerPoint etc), especially spreadsheets and databases, to analyse and interpret complex data Able to build and maintain high standards of professional links and communication channels with a variety of personnel and agencies Able to analyse complex issues/problems, gather relevant information and exercise sound judgement in reaching the most appropriate conclusions Ability to navigate difficult situations through professional challenge, negotiation, and persuasive skills Ability to manage conflict effectively Recognition of own limitations, strengths and weaknesses and an ability to seek advice when necessary Able to easily gain the trust, confidence and respect of service users, their relatives, and staff of a variety of levels and disciplines Innovative, creative, and willing to try new approaches
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 South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Address Maudsley Hospital
London
SE58AZ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)