Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Divisional Director Neighbourhood Mental Health

The closing date is 09 January 2026

Job summary

The post holder will be operationally responsible for the delivery of adult community mental health services ensuring services remain safe, high-quality, and resource efficient. The person will build an effective and data driven leadership culture across the division and will drive the adoption of innovative, evidence-based models of care while fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment that supports staff development and wellbeing.

The Divisional Director Neighbourhood Mental Health is directly accountable to the Chief Operating Officer. The postholder will work collaboratively with system partners and other Divisional Directors to ensure effective operational services and embed prevention, population health, and community engagement across strategic and operational plans.

Main duties of the job

The Divisional Director of Neighbourhood Mental Health will be responsible for leading operational community mental health services that are provided (either solely or in partnership) by SABP. The role requires oversight of substantial staff and budget resources and active engagement with a broad range of internal and external partners to deliver on the Trust's vision and values.

Key Relationships

SABP Executive Directors and SABP Board
Integrated Care Boards or equivalent health commissioning bodies.
Local Authorities (Currently Surrey County Council, Hampshire County Council, Borough/District Councils but in a context of Local Government Review changes from 2025-2031)
Regulatory and oversight bodies (Care Quality Commission, NHS England)
Voluntary and community Sector Partners
People who use services, carers, and local community group
Corporate support services and other NHS Partners

The person will lead the development and implementation of the adult community mental health neighbourhood strategy with a focus on delivery of mental health care for those with complex needs as well as proactive, preventative care that aligns with the NHS 10-year plan. The operational responsibility will cover transforming and modernising adult community mental health services to ensure effective front line delivery across all three clinical pathways; (1) brief interventions for significant needs; (2) complex needs, SMI and recovery; (3) later life, frailty and dementia.

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

15 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 9

Salary

£111,377 to £127,835 a year Incl. 5% Fringe HCAS, pa, pro rata.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

325-7674593-CORP

Job locations

SABP, Mole Business Park

18 Randalls Road

Leatherhead

KT22 7AD

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please check the job description and personal specification document for more information on the requirement for this job.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please check the job description and personal specification document for more information on the requirement for this job.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

Educated to Masters level or equivalent; relevant clinical, professional, or general management qualification.
Significant experience at a senior leadership level in mental health, social care, or a related field, with a track record of delivering complex change and operational excellence.
Proven ability to work collaboratively across organisational boundaries, influencing system-level priorities and outcomes.

Values and Behaviours

Essential

Demonstrable commitment to and focus on quality, promotes high standards to consistently improve patient outcomes
Value diversity and difference, operates with integrity and openness
Treating others with compassion, empathy and respect
Works across boundaries, looks for collective success, listens, involves, respects and learns from the contribution of others

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

Proven track record of delivering place-based or integrated care programmes at scale across different geographies Experience of working with acute, primary, community and local government partners.
Experience of delivering strategic change in a mental health organisation
Experience in managing complex projects and programmes in a large, multi-disciplinary organisation
Experience of successfully negotiating on complex and politically sensitive matters with internal and external stakeholders

Skills and Capabilities

Essential

Ability to negotiate on difficult and controversial issues including performance and change.
Proven problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
Exceptional stakeholder management and political acumen
Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues, working to tight and often changing timescales

Personal Attributes

Essential

Drive, resilience, and an understanding of their own strengths and limitations
Willingness to make difficult decisions in the interests of the organisations and its patients
A commitment to team working, including collaborative / delegation and the ability to listen to and take into account the views of others

Person Specification

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

Educated to Masters level or equivalent; relevant clinical, professional, or general management qualification.
Significant experience at a senior leadership level in mental health, social care, or a related field, with a track record of delivering complex change and operational excellence.
Proven ability to work collaboratively across organisational boundaries, influencing system-level priorities and outcomes.

Values and Behaviours

Essential

Demonstrable commitment to and focus on quality, promotes high standards to consistently improve patient outcomes
Value diversity and difference, operates with integrity and openness
Treating others with compassion, empathy and respect
Works across boundaries, looks for collective success, listens, involves, respects and learns from the contribution of others

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

Proven track record of delivering place-based or integrated care programmes at scale across different geographies Experience of working with acute, primary, community and local government partners.
Experience of delivering strategic change in a mental health organisation
Experience in managing complex projects and programmes in a large, multi-disciplinary organisation
Experience of successfully negotiating on complex and politically sensitive matters with internal and external stakeholders

Skills and Capabilities

Essential

Ability to negotiate on difficult and controversial issues including performance and change.
Proven problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
Exceptional stakeholder management and political acumen
Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues, working to tight and often changing timescales

Personal Attributes

Essential

Drive, resilience, and an understanding of their own strengths and limitations
Willingness to make difficult decisions in the interests of the organisations and its patients
A commitment to team working, including collaborative / delegation and the ability to listen to and take into account the views of others

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.