Head of Service Development

NHS

  • Southall, West London
  • £70,396-80,837 per year
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 1 day ago
We are looking for a candidate with the capability, enthusiasm and vision to lead Service Development in our service line in West London Forensic and Specialist Services.The post-holder will be responsible for the leadership and delivery of service development. This will include providing leadership and delivery of service evaluation, transformation and quality improvement, through all elements of project management and advice and support on successfully initiating and embedding positive change. The post-holder will support the WLFS Senior Management Team and all Staff and work flexibly as needs change according to any areas of concern or special focus. There will be a close working relationship with the WLFS QI and Patient Safety Leads and the Trust QI and Governance teams, as well as members of the WLFS SMT.The role will be based on site four days a week. Initially this will be on site at the Cassel Hospital two days a week and on site at St Bernard's Hospital two days a week, with one day either on site or working from home according to the preference of the post-holder. This may change as the needs of the service change over time. If the post-holder chooses to have a work from home day, which day this is would be flexible week by week according to the needs of the service.Main duties of the jobThe role will involve the recording, analysis and presentation of data to follow key measures and communicate key facts effectively. An understanding of learning science, including the Human Factors approach, will be helpful, and an understanding of QI methodology is essential. The role will include being the service line subject matter expert in QI and project management and delivery and will contribute to a culture of continuous quality improvement and the addressing of any barriers to this. The post-holder will utilize process improvement methodologies (e.g., LEAN Six-Sigma) where appropriate to support project and process improvements. They will need to keep up to date with relevant policy, legislation, guidance, and professional developments.The post-holder will need to take a whole-systems approach to identify opportunities to improve services, then organize, plan, and deliver these, through developing and implementing appropriate project management systems. They will apply expert project management knowledge, managing projects using principles of project management (e.g., MSP, PRINCE2) tailored to the specific needs of the project including, where applicable, full project plans, Project Initiation and Business Case documentation, RAID (Risks, Assumptions, Issues and Dependencies) management, Highlight and Exception reporting, Lessons learned and Benefits RealizationAbout usWest London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.DetailsDate posted02 September 2025Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 8bSalary£70,396 to £80,837 a year Per AnnumContractPermanentWorking patternFull-timeReference number222-SF-676Job locationsSt Bernard'sSouthallUB1 3HWJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesThe Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attachedThe person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed. Job descriptionJob responsibilitiesThe Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attachedThe person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.Person SpecificationQualificationsEssential
  • Educated to masters level or equivalent relevant experience
  • Recognised Project Management qualification or postgraduate qualification in quality improvement methodology or equivalent experience
  • Evidence of continuous professional development
Desirable
  • Experience of working in forensic and/or Complex Emotional Needs mental health services
ExperienceEssential
  • Knowledge and experience of delivering programmes of change within a highly complex service environment
  • Experience of supporting and / or leading projects which are recognised as successful
  • Experience of communicating complex project information to managers at all levels and large groups
  • Experience of managing and motivating a team (particularly where there is no direct line management)
Knowledge/skillsEssential
  • Advanced knowledge of all MS Office applications (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and where possible Project, and Visio)
  • Able to analyse highly complex data, reports and interpret statistical data to draw conclusions.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with team and wider Trust Ability to prepare and produce formal communications for a broad range of stakeholders as required
  • Excellent use of project management applications and information systems to produce and maintain formal detailed project plans and timelines
  • Ability to engage with stakeholders to promote the rationale for change and achieve buy in by creating shared goals
  • Able to manage competing demands and priorities in a changing, complex environment
Person SpecificationQualificationsEssential
  • Educated to masters level or equivalent relevant experience
  • Recognised Project Management qualification or postgraduate qualification in quality improvement methodology or equivalent experience
  • Evidence of continuous professional development
Desirable
  • Experience of working in forensic and/or Complex Emotional Needs mental health services
ExperienceEssential
  • Knowledge and experience of delivering programmes of change within a highly complex service environment
  • Experience of supporting and / or leading projects which are recognised as successful
  • Experience of communicating complex project information to managers at all levels and large groups
  • Experience of managing and motivating a team (particularly where there is no direct line management)
Knowledge/skillsEssential
  • Advanced knowledge of all MS Office applications (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and where possible Project, and Visio)
  • Able to analyse highly complex data, reports and interpret statistical data to draw conclusions.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with team and wider Trust Ability to prepare and produce formal communications for a broad range of stakeholders as required
  • Excellent use of project management applications and information systems to produce and maintain formal detailed project plans and timelines
  • Ability to engage with stakeholders to promote the rationale for change and achieve buy in by creating shared goals
  • Able to manage competing demands and priorities in a changing, complex environment

NHS