Job summary
- Main area
- Administration
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 9
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 354-CO-21826(EC)
- Employer
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- SPFT
- Town
- Worthing
- Salary
- £109,179 - £125,637 PA
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 11/02/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Deputy Chief Strategy & Partnerships Officer/MD PCs
NHS AfC: Band 9
Come and join us
We’re looking for people who share our values of compassion, accountability and optimism to help us provide high quality care for the patients, carers, families and communities we serve. We specialise in NHS mental health and learning disability services and we’re proud to make a difference every day.
At SPFT we put people first. We’ll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. You’ll have opportunities to learn, grow and gain new experiences to support your career, with access to lifelong learning and professional development.
We actively promote flexible working and understand how important work life balance is, especially in healthcare. Whether it’s part time hours, hybrid working or flexible start and finish times, we’ll explore what works for you and the role.
We recognise that AI is becoming part of daily life and you may choose to use it to help prepare your application. We welcome innovation but ask that anything you submit reflects your own abilities, experience and voice. AI can support how you describe your skills and experience, but it should never replace your own words as we want to get to know you.
We’re shaping a workplace where ideas are encouraged, technology supports you and everyone has a voice in how we improve. If that sounds like the kind of organisation you want to be part of, we’d love to hear from you.
Job overview
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT) is recruiting for a senior leadership role that oversees three Specialist Provider Collaboratives across the South‑East, covering Adult Secure Mental Health, Tier 4 CAMHS, and Adult Eating Disorder Services.
The post holder will lead both the strategic planning and operational delivery of these collaboratives, ensuring high‑quality care, strong partnership working with NHS and independent providers, and financial sustainability. A major priority is reducing out‑of‑area placements so patients can receive care closer to home.
As Managing Director for the lead provider, the successful candidate will be responsible for commissioning and oversight of services, managing specialist placement budgets, and expanding delegated commissioning arrangements in line with Trust strategy. The role includes strengthening collaboration with the voluntary sector and ensuring value for money.
The post holder will also play a pivotal part in integrating strategy, transformation, and continuous improvement, ensuring all initiatives align with SPFT’s long‑term 2025–2030 strategy/support a culture of innovation and quality improvement.
As DCSPO the individual will report directly to the Chief Strategy and Partnerships Officer and lead on:
- Developing and implementing Trust‑wide strategy
- Coordinating annual and long‑term planning cycles
- Aligning transformation, improvement, and innovation programmes with strategic goals
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be:
- Accountable for the strategic development and operational delivery of the three Provider Collaboratives which SPFT lead on and the key contact for other Provider Collaboratives as are developed (e.g. specialist perinatal).
- Accountable for all aspects of delegated commissioner/lead provider responsibilities as agreed with the ICB.
- Responsible for strengthening SPFT's skills and competencies in being a commissioner as well as a provider of mental health, learning disability and autism services.
The postholder will be expected to work very closely with SPFT Executive, Executive/Director colleagues and other partners, including Local Authorities, NHSE, ICB and the voluntary sector to ensure that benefits of the Provider Collaboratives are maximised for the populations they serve.
Working for our organisation
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced and collaborative senior leader to join us as Managing Director/ Deputy Chief Strategy & Partnerships Officer for our Provider Collaboratives.
In this key role, you will:
- Lead strategic planning and delivery for our four Specialist Provider Collaboratives (Tier 4 CAMHS; Secure Care; Adult Eating Disorders).
- Oversee the development and operationalisation of our delegated commissioning functions and lead provider arrangements.
- Build strong partnerships across the NHS, local authorities, VCSE partners and people with lived experience.
- Support delivery of our Trust strategy: People, Prevention and Partnership.
We are looking for a compassionate, innovative and influential leader with a strong track record in senior mental health, learning disability or autism services.
Sussex Partnership is rated ‘Good’ overall and ‘Outstanding’ for caring by the CQC. Join us to make a meaningful difference to communities across the South-East.
We welcome applications from all backgrounds and particularly encourage candidates from underrepresented groups.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The post holder leads the Trust’s strategic development, commissioning, and Provider Collaborative functions, reporting to the Chief Strategy and Partnerships Officer. They drive delivery of the Trust Strategy, develop 3–5‑year commissioning intentions, and build strong relationships with senior leaders, Local Authorities, national commissioners, and partner providers.
They ensure robust governance, high‑quality care, and effective performance across all Provider Collaboratives while maintaining financial sustainability and oversight of commissioning budgets. The role includes ensuring safe admission and discharge processes, high‑quality reporting, strong quality assurance, and alignment of improvement and transformation initiatives.
As a senior leader, they manage Programme Directors and commissioning staff, promote staff wellbeing and development, uphold HR and equality standards, and provide inspirational leadership. They oversee strategic performance monitoring, risk management, complaint resolution, and will regularly deputise for the CSPO. The post holder also handles emotionally sensitive situations related to patient care.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Educated to degree level with a relevant qualification at Masters level or equivalent experience.
- Post graduate management qualification or equivalent level of experience and proven ability to perform at this level.
- Highest level of managerial knowledge at PhD level or through equivalent levels of experience such as strategic leadership or through managing a complex function
Knowledge/Experience
Essential criteria
- Knowledge of mental health and the role of Specialist Provider Collaboratives in the commissioning of services
- Extensive experience at senior management level in a health or social care organisation
- Significant experience of commissioning within healthcare
- Proven experience of successful achievement of leading complex change across services, involving and supporting teams and individuals to achieve objectives
- Proven track record of extensive health / social care strategy formulation and implementation including innovative thinking and the ability to explore imaginative ways of optimising use of resources.
- Experience of modernising services without the benefit of additional resources
- Significant experience of working with and influencing a range of key stakeholders (NHSE, ICB, providers, national independent sector providers)
- Significant experience of involving service users and carers in the development and improvement of services
- Managing significant budgets and achievement of recurrent efficiency servings
- Proven experience of negotiating complex contracts, managing customer expectations, influencing commissioning decisions and developing business case
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Susan Thomas
- Job title
- Business Manager to CSPO/Deputy Chief Executive
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0300 304 3699
- Additional information
Alice James
Business Administrator to Chief Strategies and Partnerships Office
E/mail: [email protected]
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