Community and Partnerships Lead

BHT Sussex; Burgess Hill; Hybrid; GBP 44,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stakeholder pension

Life assurance

Medical cash plan

Learning & Development

Employee assistance programme

Cycle-to-work

Bus pass

Generous holiday 27–32 days

Wellbeing activities

Job summary

BHT Sussex is seeking a Community and Partnerships Lead to drive strategic development and delivery of initiatives addressing mental health inequalities across West Sussex. You will build strong partnerships with VCSE organisations, NHS partners, local authorities and communities, while leading our Community Development small grants programme.

You will champion co-production and lived experience, using population health data to drive positive change, manage performance and budgets, and support

Qualifications

• Successful strategic and operational planning and implementation including risk management.
• Effective management of contracts, partnerships, and performance management.
• Effective financial/business management including the preparation and management of budgets.
• Working to reduce health or mental health inequalities and/or working within local communities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic development and delivery of work to address mental health inequalities.
• Lead the design, implementation and evaluation of the Community Development project and small grants programme. Including monitoring contract performance, KPIs, quality standards and commissioner requirements.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with VCSE organisations, NHS partners, local authorities and communities.
• Champion co-production and lived experience across all programme activity.
• Represent Pathfinder West Sussex at strategic boards, networks and partnership forums.
• Use population health data and community intelligence to identify and address inequalities.

Skills

Strategic planning

Contract management

Budget management

Community development

Health inequalities

Job description

Community and Partnerships Lead

We are looking for a Community and Partnerships Lead with experience in community-based services such as mental health, homelessness, and addictions, with high levels of autonomy and accountability.

If this sounds like you, then we want to hear from you!

Position: Community and Partnerships Lead
Location: West Sussex/hybrid (with regular travel around West Sussex)
Salary: £44,607 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 37 hours per week (Monday – Friday)
Closing Date: 20 October 2026 at 23:59

About the Role

As Community & Partnerships Lead, you’ll lead the strategic development and delivery of initiatives tackling mental health inequalities across West Sussex. You’ll build strong partnerships with VCSE organisations, NHS partners, local authorities and communities, while leading our Community Development small grants programme. Championing co-production and lived experience, you’ll use population health data and community insight to drive positive change, manage performance and budgets, and support the service across West Sussex.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Lead the strategic development and delivery of work to address mental health inequalities.

• Lead the design, implementation and evaluation of the Community Development project and small grants programme. Including monitoring contract performance, KPIs, quality standards and commissioner requirements.

• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with VCSE organisations, NHS partners, local authorities and communities.

• Champion co-production and lived experience across all programme activity.

• Represent Pathfinder West Sussex at strategic boards, networks and partnership forums.

• Use population health data and community intelligence to identify and address inequalities.

About You:

We are looking for someone with experience of working within mental health, community development and community services with national and local community mental health development approaches. You will have experience of:

• Successful strategic and operational planning and implementation including risk management

• Effective management of contracts, partnerships, and performance management.

• Effective financial/business management including the preparation and management of budgets

• Working to reduce health or mental health inequalities and/or working within local communities.

The role covers the service area of West Sussex and as such we need someone who lives within a commutable distance of the area.

In Return

BHT Sussex is proud to have Gold Accreditation from Investors in People, be a Disability Confident employer, and part of the Mental Health at Work commitment.

You will also receive:

• 5.5% stakeholder pension scheme and life assurance

• Medical cash plan with BHSF

• Access to Learning & Development platform

• Free and confidential employee assistance helpline

• Cycle-to-work scheme

• Free 28-day Network Saver Brighton bus pass (new starters)

• Generous holiday allowance (starting at 27 days and rising to 32 with service)

• Opportunities to participate in wellbeing and fundraising activities throughout the year

BHT Sussex is an equal opportunities employer, committed to equality, inclusion, and diversity.

Applications are welcomed from individuals with lived experience.

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments if invited to interview.

Please Note: A Basic DBS check will be required for this role.