Job summary
Due to an internal promotion, we are looking to appoint a Service Director which is a full time, substantive appointment. This is a key role in the Directorate leadership team, as the most senior operational manager in the Directorate. Working directly to the Chief Operating Officer and the directorate leadership team, the post holder is accountable for the performance and management of all services within the Directorate and acts as a senior point of contact for staff, partners, and stakeholders. The post holder will need to evidence previous experience of managing community services, or equivalent and the ability to effect change whilst at the same time engaging staff and stakeholders. Quality, patient and staff safety, performance management, and quality improvement are all skills required to meet the requirements of this role.
The postholder will require energy, compassion, the ability to meet competing demands, engage staff and listen. They will need to be able to demonstrate the ability to have complex and challenging conversations and to impact change especially where patient or staff benefit result. Flexibility and commitment, as well as a sense of humour will be important to manage such a complex demanding role.
The role will create an environment within the Directorate that promotes the patient voice, champions staff welfare, and makes patient care, inclusion, and patient and staff safety everyone's first concern.
Main duties of the job
- Accountable Operational Leadership - Overall responsibility for the performance, delivery and management of all services within the Directorate, acting as the most senior operational leader and reporting directly to the Executive Managing Director
- Quality, Governance & Patient Experience - Lead high-quality, safe and effective services, ensuring compliance with national standards (e.g., NICE), driving continuous quality improvement, embedding strong governance systems, and promoting a culture of openness, dignity, and co-production
- Strategic Planning & Service Transformation - Develop and deliver Directorate business, workforce and financial plans aligned to Trust strategy; lead complex organisational change, service development, and system-wide partnership working
- Financial & Performance Management - Hold accountability for a multi-million-pound budget, ensure financial balance, deliver cost improvement programmes (CIPs), and drive achievement of contractual, operational and national performance target.
- Senior Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement - Lead and line manage senior clinical and managerial staff, foster collaborative leadership, represent the Trust at local and national forums, and build strong relationships with partners, service users, carers and external agencies.
About us
Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application please read the "candidate guide to making an application" and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses any essential criteria.
As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast 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"
We offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:
o Excellent opportunities for career progressiono Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and developmento 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous serviceo NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailerso Competitive pension schemeo Lease car schemeo Cycle to work schemeo Employee Assistance Programmeo Mental Health First Aiderso Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists apply)o Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team
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.
We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.
Applicants must have a full valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle for work. Adjustments can be considered in line with the Equality Act 2010 where required.
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.
We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.
Applicants must have a full valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle for work. Adjustments can be considered in line with the Equality Act 2010 where required.
Person Specification
Knowledge Requirements
Essential
- An understanding of the contracting process for NHS and local authority services, NHS assurance systems, and the local strategic context and the workings of the wider organisation.
- Deep understanding of healthcare provision together with an awareness and appreciation of current NHS policy and priorities, particularly in relation to integrated care.
- Clear understanding of the professional and multidisciplinary roles, working and issues.
- Principles of Lean management and continuous improvement, including evidence-based Quality Improvement methodologies applicable to health service delivery.
- Key principles of contracting, tendering and public engagement applicable to NHS/public services.
Qualifications - Academic/Skills/Professional
Essential
- Educated to Master's level or equivalent professional qualification or experience.
Contractual Requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel independently between sites within the Trust and potentially nationally where required.
Further Training or Job-Related Aptitude and Skills
Essential
- Able to work in partnership with clinical and operational leaders, Executive Directors and external partners.
- Business and service planning, analytical and numeracy skills.
- Ability to motivate and engage staff at all levels, improving confidence and containing anxiety.
Experience
Essential
- Proven track record of leadership at a senior level, with significant demonstrable experience within a health or social care setting.
- Successful track record of managing complex organisational change and development of clinical services.
- Experience of partnership working with service users, carers and other agencies.
Person Specification
Knowledge Requirements
Essential
- An understanding of the contracting process for NHS and local authority services, NHS assurance systems, and the local strategic context and the workings of the wider organisation.
- Deep understanding of healthcare provision together with an awareness and appreciation of current NHS policy and priorities, particularly in relation to integrated care.
- Clear understanding of the professional and multidisciplinary roles, working and issues.
- Principles of Lean management and continuous improvement, including evidence-based Quality Improvement methodologies applicable to health service delivery.
- Key principles of contracting, tendering and public engagement applicable to NHS/public services.
Qualifications - Academic/Skills/Professional
Essential
- Educated to Master's level or equivalent professional qualification or experience.
Contractual Requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel independently between sites within the Trust and potentially nationally where required.
Further Training or Job-Related Aptitude and Skills
Essential
- Able to work in partnership with clinical and operational leaders, Executive Directors and external partners.
- Business and service planning, analytical and numeracy skills.
- Ability to motivate and engage staff at all levels, improving confidence and containing anxiety.
Experience
Essential
- Proven track record of leadership at a senior level, with significant demonstrable experience within a health or social care setting.
- Successful track record of managing complex organisational change and development of clinical services.
- Experience of partnership working with service users, carers and other agencies.
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.
