Head of Service

NHS; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 76,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare organization in Sheffield is seeking a compassionate leader as the Head of Service for the Acute and Community Directorate. This role involves leading high-quality mental health care delivery, managing complex relationships and embracing innovation. The ideal candidate will possess significant experience in mental health services and demonstrated leadership qualities, driving improvements in patient care.

Benefits

Access to training and education opportunities

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Significant experience of managing multiple services within a mental health service.
• Experience of managing change within mental health services.
• Ability to set clear targets and motivate staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of high-quality mental health care.
• Support partnerships with Local Authorities and system stakeholders.
• Address complex and contentious matters effectively.

Skills

Knowledge of current NHS / Social Care policies

Information Management & Technology skills

Positive interpersonal skills

Ability to analyse complex issues

Communication skills

Education

Educated to degree level or equivalent

Recognised management qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

Job summary

Are you committed to continuous improvement? Do you have senior leadership experience that will support change? Are you confident in working in complex environments? Are you a compassionate and dynamic leader? If so, we have an exciting opportunity to join #teamSHPU as our Head of Service for the Acute and Community Directorate, and to lead the delivery of high-quality mental health care to the communities of Sheffield.

There is no better time to join Sheffield Health Partnership University as we progress through our ambitious journey of improvement and transformation. This successful candidate will be an integral leader as part of this journey and will be supported as a member of the directorate leadership team. This is a highly valued and rewarding role, with opportunities to improve the delivery of care, through system collaboration and partnership.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will join a directorate leadership structure and will have close working relationships with the Clinical Director, and Head of Nursing, as well as Psychology and Allied Health Professional leaders. The post holder will hold core responsibility for the performance and operation of the Acute and Community Directorate and will work with other senior leaders to ensure alignment of priorities, supporting innovation and the delivery of high‑quality care, efficiency, and effective resource management. The post holder will provide leadership to colleagues and partners through a collaborative, visionary, and motivational approach. They will provide clarity to deliver against our strategic priorities and values. As a senior leader the successful candidate will address complex and occasionally contentious matters; and will be expected to show personal resilience and lead in a way that helps colleagues to address and resolve difficulties with positivity. The Acute and Community Directorate contains a diverse portfolio of community and inpatient services. Each service line is led by a General Manager, who reports to the Head of Service. Partnerships are critical to the role as these relationships will be key to safe and effective service delivery now and in the future. The post holder will support the Senior Head of Service to work in partnership with and advise the Local Authorities and other system stakeholders and partners on service‑specific issues.

About us

We are passionate about providing the very best care to the people we support, and we're looking for amazing people who share this passion to join us.

What is it that makes our Trust such a special place to work? Well, it's all about the people. Our staff, service users, carers and families all come from such diverse backgrounds and all have expertise and stories to share.

It's important that you feel supported in your role, that the people who you work with are as passionate as you are and that your health and wellbeing is taken care of.

If you're interested in developing your career, you'll have access to a range of training and education opportunities, including apprenticeships, work experience and placements, as well as the chance to get involved in research.

We are all very proud of the difference we make to people's lives each and every day and if that's something that you'd like to be part of we'd love to have you with us.

Details

• Date posted: 20 October 2025
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 8c
• Salary: £76,965 to £88,682 a year Per annum
• Contract: Fixed term
• Duration: 12 months
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 457-25-7553427
• Job locations: Distington House - North, Atlas Way, Sheffield, S4 7QQ

Person Specification

Training & Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• Recognised management qualification or equivalent experience
• Evidence of continued professional development

Desirable

• Professional qualification i.e. RMN, CQSW, Psychology, OT

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Knowledge of current NHS / Social Care policies and legislation related to mental health
• Knowledge of relevant governance & regulatory requirements.
• Ability to set clear targets, motivate staff and delegate appropriately
• Information Management & Technology skills
• Knowledge of mental health commissioning arrangements
• Knowledge and understanding of national policies, legislation, national agendas and priorities relevant to the post.

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience of managing multiple services within a mental health service
• Working successfully with senior clinical professionals and leading multi professional teams within mental health
• Expressing complex issues effectively verbally and in writingExperience of managing change within mental health services
• Sound financial management
• Setting and delivering a strategic vision
• Workforce planning & staff management and development

Desirable

• Experience of innovative service provision

Other

Essential

• Positive interpersonal skills with highly developed communication skills.
• Ability to analyse highly complex issues where material is conflicting and drawn from multiple sources (verbal, written and numerical)
• The ability to communicate clearly and effectively to a wide diverse audience, both verbally and through written reports.
• Driven/passionate believes he/she can make a difference
• Ability to work when there are competing demands and use resources effectively

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Sheffield Health Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Distington House - North

Atlas Way

Sheffield

S4 7QQ

Employer's website

https://www.sheffieldpartnership.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)