Operational Turnaround Director - Mental Health (NHS)

Operational Turnaround Director - Mental health

Band 9 / VSM Operational Leader - Acute Mental Health

9-12 Month Contract

Competitive Day Rate or Fixed Term

Location: South East

We are supporting an NHS organisation to appoint an experienced Operational Leader for a high-impact 9-12 month contract within Acute Mental Health services.

This is a senior divisional leadership role requiring a credible, visible, and hands-on leader with proven turnaround experience and the ability to stabilise, improve flow, and strengthen culture across complex acute services.

The Role

You will provide leadership across Acute Inpatient and Bed Management services with the focus is on driving operational performance, improving patient flow, embedding sustainable improvements, and strengthening leadership capability across the division.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading day-to-day operational delivery across the acute inpatient and bed management division
• Driving flow, effectiveness, and patient experience outcome measures
• Embedding improvements introduced through a Service User Flow programme
• Standardising ward working practices across the division
• Ensuring full and effective MDT working on all wards
• Reviewing, strengthening, and developing leadership capability
• Creating and sustaining a positive, high-performing working culture across teams

The Candidate

We are seeking an experienced senior operational leader who can demonstrate:

• Previous experience operating at Band 9 / VSM level
• Strong turnaround and service improvement experience
• Significant Acute Mental Health leadership experience
• Acute bed management experience (highly desirable)
• Experience working within a triumvirate leadership model
• The ability to lead through complexity and deliver measurable operational improvement

You will be politically astute, resilient, and confident in holding accountability while supporting teams through change.

Why Apply?

This is a high-profile, high-impact leadership assignment where you will play a key role in stabilising and improving critical acute services. It offers the opportunity to deliver meaningful change at scale within a supportive executive environment.

For a confidential discussion or further information, please apply or contact us directly.