Job summary
Are you ready to lead meaningful change and help shape a modern, creative approach to social care? Be part of shaping the future of Mental Health Social Care in East Sussex.
We're not looking for an ordinary Operational Manager (you may have also heard this job referred to as Service Manager in other local authorities). We're looking for a leader who's excited about supporting a workforce to grow, thrive, and innovate, while making a real difference in the lives of East Sussex residents.
This is a unique 12-month opportunity to join a service undergoing transformation, with the chance to lead new developments, use data to inform real improvements, and work in true partnership with residents and colleagues. If you're Social Work registered with significant Mental Health experience and passionate about recovery-focused, strength-based social care, we want to hear from you.
What's in it for you?
- Play a pivotal role in shaping change You'll lead and influence service developments that directly impact the lives of adults with mental health needs.
- Grow your career while helping others, we'll support you with ongoing development opportunities, including access to a fully funded Level 6 Chartered Manager apprenticeship (if not already qualified).
- Flexible, modern working Our hybrid working model means you only need to work in the office one day a week (or more).
- Your ideas are welcomed, and your leadership will help shape a service that truly supports people to live the life they want.
Main duties of the job
You'll manage a team of Practice Managers, lead quality improvement, and drive innovation across our mental health services. With support from the Head of Service, you'll lead on a number of exciting service developments, contribute to strategic planning, and ensure services remain person-centred, sustainable, and fit for the future.
This role sits at the heart of our efforts to respond to national health and social care changes, your impact will be felt not just today, but for years to come.
We're looking for someone who:
- Brings significant experience in mental health social care, ideally in a statutory setting.
- Has a strong track record in service management, strategic planning, and leading change?
- Holds a relevant professional qualification (e.g. Social Work, Occupational Therapy)
- Has a management qualification, or is willing to work towards one (fully funded)
- Believes in working collaboratively, creatively, and always in partnership with residents.
About us
To
apply for this role please click on the supporting link 'Apply for this vacancy
via ESCC website
and upload your CV and a Supporting Statement. We will be using your
Supporting Statement to shortlist so please be sure to address how you meet all
the criteria in the person specification.
For guidance on how to write an application please click on
the supporting link How to apply page.
Interviews will take place week commencing 10 November in
person at County Hall in Lewes.
Candidates who meet certain criteria are given priority when
we shortlist. Please click on the supporting link Priority
status page for details.
Why choose East Sussex County Council?
When you join us, you're joining a place where we work with
people, not on them. We value staff wellbeing, collaboration, and innovation,
and we're committed to flexible, supportive working environments.
We have a committed workforce who strives to work alongside
people who require a service. We are open to initiatives to support positive
outcomes by working in a strength-based approach. We would like an Operational
Manager with the same ethos to enhance our services.
For information about our diverse range of benefits
please click on the supporting link Employee benefits page.
"For work that makes a difference, choose East Sussex!"
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. Responsible
for the appropriate delivery of services to people within a designated service
area in accordance with statutory requirements, County Council policies,
procedures and quality standards.
2. Manage
the budgetary performance of a designated service unit within the Departmental
scheme of delegation.
3. Manage
performance within the context of the Performance Assessment Framework,
Performance Indicators and agreed targets.
4. Achieve
an effective delivery of service through the management of people, and take
responsibility for the formal operation of the County Councils policies and
procedures pertaining to personnel related matters e.g. grievance, disciplinary
procedures.
5. Recruit
and retain appropriately qualified staff to ensure the effective provision of
services and co-ordinate the development of staff and their effectiveness
through training and regular supervision.
6. Contribute
to the development of Departmental policies and procedures in order to maintain
and improve the quality of service.
7. Administer
the Complaints Procedure within Departmental guidelines including complaints
investigations to establish what remedial action if any is necessary.
8. Brief
DMT on problems needing resolution and highlight service achievements.
9. Ensure
that the Performance Development Scheme is fully implemented throughout the
service managed.
10. Achieve
the annual performance targets for the designated service unit and personal
development targets.
11. To
provide management support to Departmental out of hours services and where
appropriate, participate with others on a rota
12. To
undertake any other such duties as may reasonably fall within the purview of
the post, as required by the manager/supervisor, ensuring that all duties
undertaken are done so in accordance with departmental policies, practices
procedures and standards, including Equal Opportunities/Anti-Discriminatory
practice.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. Responsible
for the appropriate delivery of services to people within a designated service
area in accordance with statutory requirements, County Council policies,
procedures and quality standards.
2. Manage
the budgetary performance of a designated service unit within the Departmental
scheme of delegation.
3. Manage
performance within the context of the Performance Assessment Framework,
Performance Indicators and agreed targets.
4. Achieve
an effective delivery of service through the management of people, and take
responsibility for the formal operation of the County Councils policies and
procedures pertaining to personnel related matters e.g. grievance, disciplinary
procedures.
5. Recruit
and retain appropriately qualified staff to ensure the effective provision of
services and co-ordinate the development of staff and their effectiveness
through training and regular supervision.
6. Contribute
to the development of Departmental policies and procedures in order to maintain
and improve the quality of service.
7. Administer
the Complaints Procedure within Departmental guidelines including complaints
investigations to establish what remedial action if any is necessary.
8. Brief
DMT on problems needing resolution and highlight service achievements.
9. Ensure
that the Performance Development Scheme is fully implemented throughout the
service managed.
10. Achieve
the annual performance targets for the designated service unit and personal
development targets.
11. To
provide management support to Departmental out of hours services and where
appropriate, participate with others on a rota
12. To
undertake any other such duties as may reasonably fall within the purview of
the post, as required by the manager/supervisor, ensuring that all duties
undertaken are done so in accordance with departmental policies, practices
procedures and standards, including Equal Opportunities/Anti-Discriminatory
practice.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant Professional Qualification e.g. Social work, Occupational therapy; and/or
- Relevant Management qualification or willingness to complete Chartered Manager (Level 6) apprenticeship which will be funded by the Council
Experience
Essential
- Identifying local service needs and directing resources appropriately.
- Monitoring the quality of local service provision.
- Translating local and national policy into practice.
- Contributing to and implementing new service initiatives.
- Interagency/partnership working.
- Budget management and effective leadership.
- Interpreting legislation in difficult cases.
- Political awareness.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to produce clear and concise reports.
- Negotiation and influencing skills/presentation skills.
- Practical problem-solving skills.
- Staff supervision and management, team motivation and team building.
- Chairing meetings.
- Evidence of effective planning for change.
- Ability to makes decisions when dealing with often constant and conflicting demands on time.
- An ability to work constructively with colleagues, both internal and external.
- Knowledge of statutory responsibilities and Departmental policies and procedures in relation to specific service area.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation e.g. NHS and Community Care Act.
- Knowledge of Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults systems, policies and procedures.
- Knowledge of corporate functions and working arrangements within the Adult Social Care.
- Working knowledge of the Capacity Act (2005) and DoLs.
- Working knowledge of Delayed transfers of Care.
- Significant Social Services managerial experience.
- Strategic service planning experience.
- Experience of local budgetary control.
- Experience of the management of change.
- A commitment to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.
- Diplomatic, innovative, decisive, change orientated, self-motivated, team worker.
- Evidence of practice in Mental health.
Desirable
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant Professional Qualification e.g. Social work, Occupational therapy; and/or
- Relevant Management qualification or willingness to complete Chartered Manager (Level 6) apprenticeship which will be funded by the Council
Experience
Essential
- Identifying local service needs and directing resources appropriately.
- Monitoring the quality of local service provision.
- Translating local and national policy into practice.
- Contributing to and implementing new service initiatives.
- Interagency/partnership working.
- Budget management and effective leadership.
- Interpreting legislation in difficult cases.
- Political awareness.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to produce clear and concise reports.
- Negotiation and influencing skills/presentation skills.
- Practical problem-solving skills.
- Staff supervision and management, team motivation and team building.
- Chairing meetings.
- Evidence of effective planning for change.
- Ability to makes decisions when dealing with often constant and conflicting demands on time.
- An ability to work constructively with colleagues, both internal and external.
- Knowledge of statutory responsibilities and Departmental policies and procedures in relation to specific service area.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation e.g. NHS and Community Care Act.
- Knowledge of Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults systems, policies and procedures.
- Knowledge of corporate functions and working arrangements within the Adult Social Care.
- Working knowledge of the Capacity Act (2005) and DoLs.
- Working knowledge of Delayed transfers of Care.
- Significant Social Services managerial experience.
- Strategic service planning experience.
- Experience of local budgetary control.
- Experience of the management of change.
- A commitment to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.
- Diplomatic, innovative, decisive, change orientated, self-motivated, team worker.
- Evidence of practice in Mental health.
Desirable
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
