Chief Officer / Executive Lead, Mental Health & Learning Disability Services, NHS Tayside

NHS Scotland; Dundee; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Dundee is seeking a Chief Officer / Executive Lead to spearhead transformative changes in mental health and learning disability services. This 23-month temporary position requires a strategic leader passionate about integration and public service. You will report to the Chief Executive and shape governance decisions. Responsibilities include partnership building and delivering data-driven, community-based care. Interested applicants should submit their CV and a letter of application by noon on January 7, 2026.

Qualifications

• Experience leading complex services with measurable impact.
• Proven track record of delivering transformational change.
• Ability to embody NHS Scotland values.

Responsibilities

• Drive transformational change in mental health and learning disability services.
• Shape strategic decisions impacting the organization.
• Participate in governance and on-call duties.

Skills

Leadership of large-scale services

Transformational change delivery

Strong partnership building

Commitment to integration

Focus on mental health improvement

Job description

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

Secondment Opportunity / Temporary Post – 23 Months

Chief Officer / Executive Lead – NHS Mental Health & Learning Disability Services

Executive Grade F (indicative)

NHS Tayside

Are you ready to lead a bold transformation in mental health and learning disability services? NHS Tayside is offering a career-defining opportunity to shape the future of care across our region. This newly created executive role will spearhead the delivery of One Vision, One Strategy, One Service – a unified, integrated model that puts people first.

The Challenge and the Opportunity

We are currently operating under Stage 3 escalation of the NHS Scotland Performance Framework for Mental Health Services. But we’re not standing still – we’re on a clear and demonstrable improvement journey. With full backing from our Chief Executive, Executive Leadership Team, NHS Board the conditions are set for transformational change. What we need now is a dynamic, experienced leader to drive this forward, in partnership with the Executive Team, staff, patients and Partners, over the next 23 months.

What You’ll Bring

We’re looking for a strategic, collaborative executive who :

• Has led large-scale, complex services with measurable impact
• Delivers transformational change with pace, clarity, and accountability
• Embodies NHS Scotland values and champions public service
• Builds strong partnerships with patients, families, carers, communities and multi‑agency partners
• A passion for driving improvement in Mental Health and Learning Disability Services and a commitment to Integration.

Why This Role Matters

This is one of the first service areas seeking to fully implement the NHS Scotland Health & Social Care Service Renewal Framework – a bold vision for person‑centred, trauma‑informed, digitally enabled care. You’ll help shape services that are :

• Proactive and preventative
• Rooted in lived experience and community collaboration
• Data‑driven and equitableFocused on staff wellbeing and innovation in crisis response

You’ll also lead the development of a sustainable future model for Tayside, aligned with :

• Health & Social Care Integration
• The Population Health Framework
• The National Mental Health Strategy (Children & Young People, Adults, Older Adults, Psychology, and Specialist Services for both Mental Health and Learning Disability Services)

Your Role at the Executive Level

As Chief Officer / Executive Director, you will report directly to the Chief Executive and serve as a corporate leader within the Executive Team. You’ll contribute to NHS Tayside Board governance, participate in on‑call duties, and help shape strategic decisions that impact the entire organisation.

If you’re ready to take on a challenging, rewarding Executive leadership role that will leave a lasting legacy, we’d love to hear from you. Please send a letter of application along with your CV to [e-mail] to arrive no later than 12:00 Noon on 7th January 2026. For an informal conversation please contact NHS Tayside Chief Executive [e-mail].