Lead Substance Misuse Specialist

Combat Stress; Leatherhead; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health charity in the UK is seeking a dynamic leader for a role focusing on the integration of substance misuse pathways for veterans. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in mental health services and a commitment to developing evidence-based strategies. This position offers a hybrid working model, competitive benefits, and requires effective communication with stakeholders across the UK. A DBS check will be required.

Benefits

27 days paid holiday plus bank holidays

Competitive pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Blue Light Card access

Death in Service Scheme

Qualifications

• Registered/qualified healthcare professional (e.g. nurse, psychologist).
• Minimum 3 years post-registration experience in mental health.
• Experience teaching/training MDT colleagues.
• Relevant training in addictions or dual diagnosis.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and integration of substance misuse pathways.
• Ensure partnerships are evidence-based and trauma-informed.
• Inspire and influence colleagues across the Charity.

Skills

Substance misuse assessment

Negotiation skills

Partnership building

Communication

Leadership

Education

Registered healthcare professional

Relevant postgraduate qualification in addictions

Job description

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to stand out and make a difference in a national role for a unique and high‑profile mental health charity.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be responsible for the development and integration of UK‑wide substance misuse specialist pathways and partnerships within a highly specialised military veterans psychological trauma service. The role is primarily developmental and strategic, focusing on building sustainable internal capability and external networks. The post‑holder will lead on our substance misuse strategy, ensuring that pathways and partnerships are evidence‑based, trauma‑informed, veteran‑centric and aligned with NICE approved best practice.

The successful candidate requires excellent leadership skills enabling them to inspire, motivate and influence colleagues across the Charity. The ability to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders is essential as is the requirement to travel to our other sites. We continually strive for excellence in all that we do and therefore this post requires a dynamic and inspirational leader who will take a pragmatic approach to the challenges that lie ahead. We would expect you to have experience in working in mental health services whether in the NHS, voluntary or private sector.

This role will be subject to a DBS check.

About us

Combat Stress is the UK’s leading mental health charity for veterans. For over a century we’ve been helping former personnel to deal with issues like post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression. Today we provide specialist treatment and support for veterans from every service and conflict, focusing on those with complex mental health issues related to their military service. We provide a range of community, outpatient and online digital mental health services to veterans with complex mental health problems. We provide services in‑person, and via phone and online.

Job responsibilities

Lead Substance Misuse Specialist

Hybrid working including travel across England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland as required.

Status: 12 to 18 months fixed‑term contract.

Hybrid working includes travel across the UK. The main responsibilities are the development, integration, and sustainability of UK‑wide substance misuse specialist pathways and partnerships within a highly specialised military veterans psychological trauma service. The post‑holder will lead on the substance misuse strategy, ensuring that pathways and partnerships are evidence‑based and trauma‑informed.

What we offer

You will work within a reputable charity that is constantly evolving to meet the needs of our veterans, that has a fantastic cause and a committed follower base.

27 days paid holiday plus bank holidays, and after 5 years continuous service, this will increase to 30 days paid holiday plus bank holidays.

Competitive stakeholder pension scheme – contributions matched up to 11% of salary.

Access to the Employee Assistance Programme.

Access to Blue Light Card scheme.

Death in Service Scheme.

Interview date: 2nd or 3rd week in December.

Please note, we reserve the right to close this ad early, should we receive a sufficient amount of applicants.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Registered / qualified healthcare professional (e.g. nurse, OT, clinical or counselling psychologist, accredited psychotherapist, or equivalent)
• Post‑graduate training in or substantial experience of direct delivery of substance misuse or addictions practice.
• Minimum of 3 years post‑registration experience, including work with co‑morbid substance misuse and mental health or trauma.
• Experience of leading service development, pathway design and/or partnership work.
• Experience teaching / training MDT colleagues.
• Experience in clinical risk assessment and management of complex client groups.
• Experience managing staff and stakeholders.
• Relevant postgraduate qualification or training in addictions, dual diagnosis, trauma.
• Experience in co‑production and structured professional judgement approaches to risk assessment.
• Experience in quality improvement activities and UK‑wide service development.
• Experience in veteran or military mental health settings.
• Experience leading cross‑sector collaboration.

Skills, Knowledge and Attributes

• In depth understanding of substance misuse assessment and intervention approaches.
• Knowledge of NICE guidance relevant to substance misuse, PTSD / C‑PTSD.
• Knowledge of current legislation and initiatives within substance misuse and mental health.
• Strong communication, negotiation and partnership building skills.
• Commitment to the values of care, respect, and inclusivity is essential.
• Knowledge of veteran‑specific health and social care landscape.
• Understanding of trauma‑informed care principles and their application in operational service design.

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.