Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Head of Quality Improvement

The closing date is 29 October 2025

Job summary

With an in-depth, specialist knowledge and understanding of improvement methodology, you will provide quality improvement leadership to the Strategy, Innovation, Transformation, and Improvement team. You will be responsible for leading on the delivery of the Quality Improvement portfolio across the Trust, ensuring that programs of improvement work are aligned with Trust priorities, working closely with other team members to embed QI methodology in transformation programs.

Reporting to the Associate Director (8D) - Strategy, Innovation, Transformation, and Improvement, you will lead on the delivery of your own portfolio of change and improvement programs, teach on improvement methodology and represent the Quality Improvement program at agreed internal and external meetings and learning events. You will foster close working relationships with teams and services across the Trust to promote the use of improvement science as a means of improving the quality of services we provide.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an assessment centre the outcome of which will inform who will be invited to the assessment centre.

Main duties of the job

Lead the QI portfolio, cascading from the Associate Director (8D), and act as execution lead for assigned QI programmes across the Trust and system.
Operate the QI delivery system day-to-day, single pipeline, stage-gates, guardrails, change control and the benefits framework, taking initiatives through planning, adoption, delivery, realised benefits and sustainment.
Publish monthly QI portfolio reports; maintain the decision log, integrated stakeholder and interdependency map; provide evidence-based options and escalate blockers/trade-offs to leadership.
Embed co-production and EIA; ensure alignment with clinical safety, IG and governance; represent SABP with commissioners, system partners and learning networks.
Lead the development, implementation and periodic refresh of the QI strategy so it reflects, interprets and builds on national policy, aligned to NHS IMPACT and meets Trust/system ambitions.
Develop and oversee the QI information system, providing accurate, up-to-date information on programmes, progress and outcomes.
Propose annual QI priorities and outcome targets for approval.
Own QI policies and procedures, ensuring they are current, approved and embedded (linked to PSIRF/clinical governance).

About us

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is the leading provider of mental health, learning disability, neurodevelopmental and drug and alcohol services in Surrey and North East Hampshire. We support people of all ages and are passionate about providing high quality care that is delivered at the right time as close to home as possible to help people recover and stay well.

We are one of the top 10 mental Health, Learning Disability and Community Trust to work for nationwide. Our Trust is an inclusive and supportive employer that offers a wide range of staff networks, flexible working, free parking and excellent health and wellbeing support. We also provide a wide range of opportunities to help staff develop and progress.

Surrey is a beautiful county lying just 30 minutes away from Central London and from the South Coast. Our historic market towns and bustling districts are enveloped in wonderful countryside, and our excellent road and rail networks bring the rest of the country within easy reach. For international travel, both Gatwick and Heathrow airports are nearby.

Please note that we reserve the right to close posts as soon as sufficient applications are received.

Regrettably, due to UK Home Office requirements we cannot offer sponsorship for all our job roles.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the role.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Date posted

22 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8c

Salary

£79,163 to £90,880 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

325-7476513-CORP-A

Job locations

Trust Headquarters

18 Mole Business Park, Randalls Road

Leatherhead

KT22 7AD

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the Job Description and Specification for further information regarding the role and responsibilities.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the Job Description and Specification for further information regarding the role and responsibilities.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

oPost-graduate qualification (management or related) or equivalent experience
oIHI Improvement Advisor or Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt

Desirable

oProgramme/ Project management qualification (MSP, PMP, Agile, Prince2 or equivalent)

Experience

Essential

oDemonstrable experience as a senior leader in an NHS organisation
oDemonstrable experience of leading and managing complex improvement programmes including using data and measurement for improvement
oExperience of developing and delivering improvement training and education packages in accordance with IHI improvement methodology
oExperience of coaching in improvement methodologies
oExperience of line management, recruitment, supervision, performance management, and managing budgets
oExperience of strategy development and implementation
oDemonstrable commitment to working with and involving people who use services and carers
oDemonstrable examples of building high-performing teams and leading through others
oProven ability to run multiple assignments simultaneously, maintaining pace, governance and clear communication under time pressure

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

oPost-graduate qualification (management or related) or equivalent experience
oIHI Improvement Advisor or Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt

Desirable

oProgramme/ Project management qualification (MSP, PMP, Agile, Prince2 or equivalent)

Experience

Essential

oDemonstrable experience as a senior leader in an NHS organisation
oDemonstrable experience of leading and managing complex improvement programmes including using data and measurement for improvement
oExperience of developing and delivering improvement training and education packages in accordance with IHI improvement methodology
oExperience of coaching in improvement methodologies
oExperience of line management, recruitment, supervision, performance management, and managing budgets
oExperience of strategy development and implementation
oDemonstrable commitment to working with and involving people who use services and carers
oDemonstrable examples of building high-performing teams and leading through others
oProven ability to run multiple assignments simultaneously, maintaining pace, governance and clear communication under time pressure

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.