Job summary
Our National Priority Programme Director for Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Neurodevelopmental Conditions provides senior, credible and visible leadership to the department and system on these topics - setting clear delivery priorities, breaking down silos, driving improvement out in the system and responsible for catalysing change across services that support people with mental health needs, people with a learning disability, and people who are neurodiverse.
You will be responsible for setting the strategic direction formental health, learning disabilities and neurodevelopmental conditionsin line with Ministerial expectations and then working with leads from across the department and NHS England to ensure robust delivery plans are in place and delivering.
You will act as the Secretary of State's key advisor on this area, as the leading voice in this field and should expect regular engagement with the Secretary of State, wider ministerial teams and with other areas of government. Including Department for Work and Pensions, Home Office, Department for Education and Cabinet Office for the delivery of the Government's Missions (growth, opportunity and safer streets).
Main duties of the job
As National Priority Programme Director you will develop the strong partnerships required to drive forward delivery of your programmes, across the system and externally, and may spend a substantial amount of time speaking to systems - to understand risks and issues in their areas, support change in behaviours, galvanize partners, and use 'soft' levers to improve quality/performance.
You will report to the NHS Chief Executive and crucially act as an advisor to Ministers.
In the immediate term, you will help lead the organisation through transformation, working with the national executive of the Department and NHS England to design an effective approach to delivering national priorities in Mental Health Learning Disabilities and Neurodevelopmental Conditions. You will ensure, the Department is equipped to meet Ministerial priorities and delivers the benefits envisaged through the organisational redesign. This will include a focus on efficiency savings and creating a new operating model that empowers local systems.
About us
Our work supports the NHS to deliver high quality services for patients and best value for taxpayers.
Our staff bring expertise across hundreds of specialisms -- including clinical, operational, commissioning, technology, data science, cyber security, software engineering, education, and commercial -- enabling us to design and deliver high-quality NHS services.
We lead the NHS in England by:
- Enabling local systems and providers to improve the health of their people and patients and reduce health inequalities
- Making the NHS a great place to work, where our people can make a difference and achieve their potential
- Working collaboratively to ensure our healthcare workforce has the right knowledge, skills, values and behaviours to deliver accessible, compassionate care
- Optimising the use of digital technology, research, and innovation
- Delivering value for money
Earlier this year, the Government announced that NHS England will gradually merge with the Department of Health and Social Care, leading to full integration. The aim is to create a smaller, more strategic centre that reduces duplication and eliminates waste.
If successful at interview, we will initiate an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). This retrieves key data from your current or previous NHS employer to support onboarding, including competency status, Continuous Service Dates (CSD), and annual leave entitlement. You may opt out at any stage of the recruitment process.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will provide key expertise on mental health, learning disabilities and neurodevelopmental conditions, this will include a particular focus on those who are autistic or have ADHD. Working with the relevant Directors (for example the Performance and Delivery, Director General and Regional Directors) to set plans and goals, design the parameters/thresholds for regional and national performance, and the right improvement and support interventions, and ensuring that these work effectively.
You will work with the executive teams to draw in specialist and technical expertise from the wider organisation in a matrix model, coordinating across different teams to deliver the strategic goals in your area. You will ensure delivery, working in partnership with regional teams to reach out into the system, connect with local delivery and ensure regional oversight and improvement/support functions.
This role is open on level move to DHSC and will additionally be made available to eligible colleagues in NHS England and the NHS. Any civil servant successful will be offered a secondment to NHS England for the duration of this role.
Location
This role will require regular attendance at both DHSC and NHS England current headquarters in Leeds and London with travel to other locations as necessary. You can be based at any of the current regional sites, with the expectation of regular time in London each week.
Things you need to know Selection process details
The selection panel will evaluate candidates at sift using your CV and personal statement, those shortlisted may be invited to suitability chats with the selection panel full details of the assessment process will be confirmed with shortlisted candidates.
You must express your interest in the role by 11:59pm on 23rd October 2025. You will be required to apply by following the link provided:
- A CV setting out your career history (no more than 2 sides) with key responsibilities and achievements. Please provide reasons for any gaps within the last three years.
- A personal statement (500 words) explaining your interest and how your personal skills, qualities and experience align with the person specification.
Applicants must have prior agreement that they can be released for the duration of this secondment.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks (opens in new window).
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will provide key expertise on mental health, learning disabilities and neurodevelopmental conditions, this will include a particular focus on those who are autistic or have ADHD. Working with the relevant Directors (for example the Performance and Delivery, Director General and Regional Directors) to set plans and goals, design the parameters/thresholds for regional and national performance, and the right improvement and support interventions, and ensuring that these work effectively.
You will work with the executive teams to draw in specialist and technical expertise from the wider organisation in a matrix model, coordinating across different teams to deliver the strategic goals in your area. You will ensure delivery, working in partnership with regional teams to reach out into the system, connect with local delivery and ensure regional oversight and improvement/support functions.
This role is open on level move to DHSC and will additionally be made available to eligible colleagues in NHS England and the NHS. Any civil servant successful will be offered a secondment to NHS England for the duration of this role.
Location
This role will require regular attendance at both DHSC and NHS England current headquarters in Leeds and London with travel to other locations as necessary. You can be based at any of the current regional sites, with the expectation of regular time in London each week.
Things you need to know Selection process details
The selection panel will evaluate candidates at sift using your CV and personal statement, those shortlisted may be invited to suitability chats with the selection panel full details of the assessment process will be confirmed with shortlisted candidates.
You must express your interest in the role by 11:59pm on 23rd October 2025. You will be required to apply by following the link provided:
- A CV setting out your career history (no more than 2 sides) with key responsibilities and achievements. Please provide reasons for any gaps within the last three years.
- A personal statement (500 words) explaining your interest and how your personal skills, qualities and experience align with the person specification.
Applicants must have prior agreement that they can be released for the duration of this secondment.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks (opens in new window).
Person Specification
Essential 1
Essential
- Deep subject knowledge with the credibility to lead a national priority programme both with Ministers and with the wider health and care system.
Essential 2
Essential
- A strong and credible track record of outcome-focused delivery.
Essential 3
Essential
- A proven ability to develop motivated, engaged and high performing teams and a demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion. This includes demonstrating an understanding of how to lead large scale change, supporting your team and the wider organisation through a time of uncertainty. You will be able to demonstrate how you have supported the development of a strong organisational culture and empowered others to build successful new ways of working.
Essential 4
Essential
- Proven ability to persuade and influence others and establish strong collaborative working relationships with a wide range of senior partners across organisational boundaries inside and/or outside of government. You will be comfortable working across organisations within a complex system and across organisational boundaries.
Desirable
Essential
- Experience working at a national level and with ministers to translate policy and strategy into effective delivery and performance improvement.
Person Specification
Essential 1
Essential
- Deep subject knowledge with the credibility to lead a national priority programme both with Ministers and with the wider health and care system.
Essential 2
Essential
- A strong and credible track record of outcome-focused delivery.
Essential 3
Essential
- A proven ability to develop motivated, engaged and high performing teams and a demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion. This includes demonstrating an understanding of how to lead large scale change, supporting your team and the wider organisation through a time of uncertainty. You will be able to demonstrate how you have supported the development of a strong organisational culture and empowered others to build successful new ways of working.
Essential 4
Essential
- Proven ability to persuade and influence others and establish strong collaborative working relationships with a wide range of senior partners across organisational boundaries inside and/or outside of government. You will be comfortable working across organisations within a complex system and across organisational boundaries.
Desirable
Essential
- Experience working at a national level and with ministers to translate policy and strategy into effective delivery and performance improvement.
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.
