Assistant Director - Mental Health

The salary for this role is £87,561 - £98,431 per annum, working 36 hours per week.

Are you a visionary leader with a passion for transforming mental health services? Do you thrive in complex systems and want to make a real difference in the lives of adults across Surrey? If so, we invite you to join us as our next Assistant Director - Mental Health.

About Us

The Adults, Wellbeing & Health Partnerships directorate is on a significant and ambitious transformation programme, with a focus on driving collaboration between the Council and Health in order to deliver our joint accountabilities to improve care and wellbeing outcomes to Surrey's adult population.

You'll be part of a forward-thinking leadership team, shaping the future of services for our residents. We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to make a real difference.

About the Role

This is a pivotal leadership role within the Adults, Wellbeing & Health Partnerships directorate, responsible for shaping and delivering high-impact mental health and prison services, including Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). You will work closely with the Director for Lifelong services to lead a team of senior managers and oversee a budget of approximately £33.5 million, ensuring services are person-centred, innovative, and aligned with statutory requirements.

You will champion a culture of excellence, continuous improvement, and integrated care, working closely with internal teams and external partners across health and social care. Your leadership will be instrumental in driving strategic transformation, improving outcomes, and promoting independence and wellbeing for Surrey's adult population.

Some of the key responsibilities for this role include:

• Providing strategic leadership for mental health and prison services, ensuring high-quality, responsive, and compliant service delivery.
• Leading operational transformation and service development aligned with the Council's vision and priorities.
• Representing the directorate at local, regional, and national forums, influencing policy and advocating for Surrey's interests.
• Ensuring safeguarding, risk management, and regulatory compliance are embedded across all services.
• Fostering collaborative partnerships with health, community, and government stakeholders to promote integrated care.
• Driving performance through effective budget management, KPIs, and a culture of accountability and innovation.

About You

We are looking for a proven and inspirational leader with the ability to work in a constantly changing and pressured environment. You will have proven experience of successful collaboration with Health partners performance excellence and accountability, aligned to public values and The Surrey Way.

Your application will clearly evidence that you have:

• Substantial senior management experience in a complex social care environment.
• Deep knowledge of adult social care legislation, policy, and best practice, including the Mental Health Act (1983 and 2007) and the Mental Capacity Act (2005).
• A strong track record of managing risk, leading transformation, and delivering high-quality services.
• Political acumen, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence a wide variety of stakeholders across systems and sectors.
• A commitment to equity, inclusion, and empowering individuals through personalised care.

Surrey County Council is preparing for Local Government Reorganisation which will allow us to implement the Government led policy of devolution, which is all about giving more powers to local areas.

Currently, Surrey has a two-tier council system, with 11 district and borough councils and a county council, all responsible for different services. All these councils will be reorganised into a smaller number of new unitary councils which will come into effect in April 2027. At this point, this role will be transferred, with all existing terms and conditions intact into one of the new unitary councils.

Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents!