Location: England / Agile with national travel

The NHS Confederation is the membership organisation that brings together, supports and speaks for the whole healthcare system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Within the Confederation, the Mental Health Network acts in the best interests of those who need NHS funded mental health and care services; and those who provide these services.

We support some 90 members from across NHS trusts, the independent sector, and the voluntary sector.   We represent and influence on their behalf, working with government, regulators, opinion formers, media and the wider NHS to help shape and challenge national policy and legislation that affects them.  We are committed to supporting our members to make sense of the broader political and policy environment, spread good practice and innovation in the mental health sector and promote the importance of good mental health.

We are now seeking a Director to lead the Network.  Responsible for successful delivery of the NHS Confederation’s MHN offer, and for overseeing delivery of the Network’s strategic objectives, the postholder will work closely with MHN (and wider Confederation) members and key national stakeholders to understand their views and needs and use them to inform the Confederation’s work and MHN Network activity.  Responsible for developing the MHN Member offer, for engaging with key policy and decision makers in order to influence on behalf of our membership and for leading and motivating the MHN team to deliver the Network’s workplan this is a role which is as unique as it is rewarding – one which will place the appointed individual at the heart of the mental health landscape.

As a member of the NHS Confederation’s Group Executive, the appointed individual will work closely with the Network Chair and with the Chief Executive of NHS Confederation, will collaborate across the Confederation’s wider policy, communications and network teams and will engage extensively with our membership and with key decision makers up to Ministerial level.  As such, we are seeking an individual with excellent knowledge of contemporary mental health policy and service delivery challenges and high levels of political acumen; able to demonstrate a track record of engaging across complex stakeholder landscapes in order to influence mental health policy development and thinking at a regional or national level.  Experienced in contributing at Board level to develop strategy and high performing, inclusive teams; this is a role for an individual as committed as we are to leading national discussions, speaking truth to power and leading the Network as a loud voice of influence within the context of mental health policy and service development.

We are keen to hear from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences, who can hold the network to account on its commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, particularly around its anti-racist ambitions.  If your values and ambition match our own, then we would love to hear from you. For further information please contact our recruitment advisors at Gatenby Sanderson:

Serena Dobson: serena.dobson@gatenbysanderson.com

Jim Canning: jim.canning@gatenbysanderson.com

Laura Cubillo-Aparicio: Laura.Cubillo-Aparicio@gatenbysanderson.com

Closing date for applications: 9am Monday 10th June 2024