Visa Information
This position is eligible for a certificate of sponsorship for skilled workers. However, applicants must verify their eligibility with the employer directly, as visa requirements and costs may vary depending on individual circumstances. The employer welcomes applications from international candidates who require sponsorship to work in the UK.
Job Details
Company: Sheffield Health Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Location: Distington House – North, Atlas Way, Sheffield, S4 7QQ
Job Title: Head of Service
Salary: £76,965 to £88,682 per annum
Contract: Fixed term (12 months)
Working Pattern: Full-time
Reference Number: 457-25-7553427
Closing Date: 14 November 2025
About the Role
We are seeking a compassionate and dynamic leader to join our team as Head of Service for the Acute and Community Directorate. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the delivery of high-quality mental health care to the communities of Sheffield during an ambitious journey of improvement and transformation.
The successful candidate will be an integral leader as part of our directorate leadership team, providing leadership to colleagues and partners through a collaborative, visionary, and motivational approach. You will hold core responsibility for the performance and operation of our diverse portfolio of community and inpatient services.
This highly valued and rewarding role offers numerous opportunities to improve the delivery of care through system collaboration and partnership. You will be supported as a member of the directorate leadership team 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.
Key Responsibilities
The post holder will join a directorate leadership structure and will have close working relationships with the Clinical Director, Head of Nursing, as well as Psychology and Allied Health Professional leaders. You will provide clarity to deliver against our strategic priorities and values.
As a senior leader, you will address complex and occasionally contentious matters with personal resilience, leading in a way that helps colleagues address and resolve difficulties with positivity. The Acute and Community Directorate contains a diverse portfolio of community and inpatient services, each led by a General Manager who reports to the Head of Service.
Partnerships are critical to this role as these relationships will be key to safe and effective service delivery now and in the future. You will support the Senior Head of Service to work in partnership with and advise Local Authorities and other system stakeholders and partners on service-specific issues.
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 writing
- Experience 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
Personal Attributes
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
About Our Organisation
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. Our Trust is a special place to work because of our diverse staff, service users, carers and families who all come from different backgrounds and have expertise and stories to share.
We believe it’s important that you feel supported in your role, that the people 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 you’d like to be part of, we’d love to have you with us.
Additional Information
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.
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. 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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website for overseas health professionals.
How to Apply
Apply Instructions: Apply via NHS Jobs website
For international applicants, please follow these steps:
- Verify your eligibility for UK work authorization with the employer
- Prepare your CV and cover letter highlighting your relevant experience
- Gather required documentation including professional qualifications and certifications
- Complete the application form through the NHS Jobs website
- Contact the employer directly to discuss sponsorship requirements if needed
For questions about the job, contact Greg Hackney (Senior Head of Service) at greg.hackney@shsc.nhs.uk or phone 01142718951.
Employer Details
Employer Name: Sheffield Health Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Distington House – North, Atlas Way, Sheffield, S4 7QQ
Website: https://www.sheffieldpartnership.nhs.uk/
Privacy Notice: Sheffield Health Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust’s privacy notice
Supporting Documents
The following supporting documents are available for download:
- Head of Service JD.pdf (PDF, 320 KB)
- Head of Service – PS.pdf (PDF, 240 KB)
Equal Opportunities
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. We are committed to ensuring that our workforce reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.
Further Information
For further information about working in the NHS and the benefits available to employees, please visit the NHS Careers website. The NHS offers a comprehensive range of benefits including generous annual leave, pension schemes, healthcare discounts, and opportunities for professional development.
Sheffield is a vibrant city in South Yorkshire with excellent transport links, affordable housing, and a rich cultural scene. It offers a high quality of life with numerous parks, museums, and entertainment options.