Oxford Health NHS Trust

Head of Service

The closing date is 30 July 2025

Job summary

Are you passionate about people's experience of Mental Health services?

Are you motivated and able to work in partnership with other services?

An opportunity has arisen for a pivotal leadership role as Head of Service role within the Oxon and BSW (Bath & North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire) Mental Health Directorate.

The role encompasses community Mental Health Services for adults, older adults and mental health urgent care services. This is an excellent opportunity for established managers and leaders with substantial operational experience who are looking for further professional growth and to specialise within the areas of the remit of this role.

You will be adaptable, able to work in a stimulating and dynamic context and demonstrate the ability to form and build key strategic relationships, foster partnership working and lead in collaboration with others. The role involves working with a variety of system partners across the local health, social care and VCSE landscape. Candidates must be able to demonstrate a strong commitment to improving mental health outcomes in a challenging but highly rewarding environment.

In return, we will provide support, supervision, and development opportunities according to your needs. We are a friendly and focused senior leadership team committed to inclusion and diversity in all we do.

Main duties of the job

The postholder will:

Maintain firm operational and strategic oversight of the Adult and Older Adult community and urgent care pathways and will lead service development and improvement initiatives in line with agreed Directorate priorities, local, regional and national requirements.
Shape and influence, in collaboration with others, the future of service provision.
The role includes leadership and management of all aspects of operational and clinical governance (quality, safety, finance, HR, workforce, performance).
Work closely with their Head of Service colleagues (within and outside of the Directorate), professional leads and Trust support services (Estates, Finance, Performance & Information, Business Services, Human Resources, Learning & Development, IT) in meeting the aims and objectives of the Directorate and wider Trust

About us

Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application you are encouraged to read the "candidate guide to making an application" which is attached to all roles.

Please include details around qualifications (including years these were gained particularly if we need to assess for clinical roles that these are still valid) and ensure that the supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses the essential criteria found in the JD.

As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: "Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are: "Caring, safe and excellent"

At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

Excellent opportunities for career progression
Individual and Trust wide learning and development
27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
NHS Discount
Pension scheme
Lease car scheme
Employee Assistance Programme
Mental Health First Aiders
Staff accommodation (waiting lists may apply)
Staff networking and support groups

Date posted

16 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8c

Salary

£76,965 to £88,682 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-OA7302751

Job locations

House 1

Slade Site

Oxford

OX3 7JH

Job description

Job responsibilities

We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.

The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Educated to Master's degree level or equivalent professional experience
Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

Participation in a relevant NHS Senior Management Development Programme

Experience

Essential

Substantial experience managing health and social care staff. To include a range of knowledge base and experience of how to maximise peoples skills.
Extensive experience of the development of good relationships across a range of key stakeholders
Substantial experience of directly leading substantial change.

Essential and Desirable

Essential

In depth understanding of the NHS and/or public services and the likely changes over the next few years
Recognises the value and need to work collaboratively across the local health and social care economy
Good level of knowledge of commissioning - the split between CCG and other commissioning roles.
Good level of knowledge of Business Intelligence and how & when it should be used in everyday service delivery - how it should be developed as part of transformation
Educated to Master's degree level or equivalent professional experience
Evidence of continuing professional development
Substantial experience managing health and social care staff. To include a range of knowledge base and experience of how to maximise peoples skills.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Educated to Master's degree level or equivalent professional experience
Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

Participation in a relevant NHS Senior Management Development Programme

Experience

Essential

Substantial experience managing health and social care staff. To include a range of knowledge base and experience of how to maximise peoples skills.
Extensive experience of the development of good relationships across a range of key stakeholders
Substantial experience of directly leading substantial change.

Essential and Desirable

Essential

In depth understanding of the NHS and/or public services and the likely changes over the next few years
Recognises the value and need to work collaboratively across the local health and social care economy
Good level of knowledge of commissioning - the split between CCG and other commissioning roles.
Good level of knowledge of Business Intelligence and how & when it should be used in everyday service delivery - how it should be developed as part of transformation
Educated to Master's degree level or equivalent professional experience
Evidence of continuing professional development
Substantial experience managing health and social care staff. To include a range of knowledge base and experience of how to maximise peoples skills.

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.