Service Line Lead

Service Line Lead

Closing date: 21 December 2025

We are looking to appoint an exceptional manager with a significant level of operational management experience in health or social care, to take the role of Service Line Lead within our Herts and Bucks Learning Disability Services. This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic, dedicated, person focused and experienced individual to apply for the role.

This is an exciting time to join us - we're developing new ways of working, and are looking for a strong leader to help us achieve our vision. You'll have demonstrable management experience within the NHS or related fields, and significant experience of working with clinicians and multi disciplinary teams to achieve service improvement.

Main duties of the job

The Service Line Lead will play a leadership and implementation role in supporting the delivery of HPFT's vision, strategic goals and organisational objectives.

The Service Line Leader has responsibility and accountability for service user safety and adherence to quality standards. Within the LD&F Strategic Business Plan they also have responsibility for policy, management, strategic planning, priority setting, financial/workforce management, partnership development and operational management of all health and social care facilities within the LD&F Division including hospital and community service sites.

As a senior manager the Service Line Leader will be required to act with limited guidance or direction, routinely acting within their own authority.

The Service Line Leader will work closely with the senior management teams of other Divisions to ensure the effective co ordination and operational delivery of health & social care services in HPFT.

About us

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an outstanding organisation with ambitions to match. We are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care Quality Commission, and our aim is to be the leading provider of mental health and specialist learning disability services in the country.

Our family of over 4,500 members of staff provide health and social care for over 400,000 people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. We also deliver a range of nationally commissioned specialist services including Tier 4 services for children and young people, perinatal services, plus medium and low secure learning disabilities services.

The care we provide makes a fantastic difference to the lives of our service users, their families and carers - everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:

Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

These values are at the core of who we are, everything we do, and how we do it!

Would you like to be part of the HPFT family? Would you like work with us to ensure our service users live the fullest lives possible they can? Would you like to be supported in your career to be the best that you can be?

Job responsibilities

• The post holder will lead the delivery of services taking account of the Trusts transformation agenda and implementation of care pathways ensuring a cohesive, effective and seamless service is provided for service users.
• Ensure the effective delivery of 24 hour care services for the Division, working on a whole systems approach to achieve required levels of performance.
• Support Management of relationships with system partners.
• Accountable for the financial planning, financial balance and performance management of the Division.
• Enable a strong and effective team by providing strong and visible leadership and a clear strategic vision and direction for staff working within the Division.
• Deliver effective communication of Division strategy and service delivery to the community served including external bodies, the media and the public.
• Work together with Senior Service Line Leads other Service Line Leaders and clinical leaders to ensure equity across HPFT in accessing services and take a lead role on priority areas across HPFT as and when required.
• Deputise as necessary for the Head of Service.

Person Specification Knowledge

• First degree or equivalent and two years' experience operating at a middle management level in a large complex organisation.
• Professional qualification in a relevant area of health or social care.
• Evidence of continuous professional and management development showing a combination of short courses, structured self study or formal management courses.
• Specialist knowledge of several disciplines acquired through training and experience over a significant period.
• Programme and project management qualifications.
• Breadth of knowledge across all health and social care services from primary to tertiary care.

Experience

• Knowledge of National policy and standards of governance.
• An appreciation of NHS and local Government strategies, policies and plans, in particular those linked with the reshaping of Mental Health and Learning Disability services.
• Experience of planning and implementing service change.
• Experience of working with clinicians and multi professional teams in achieving service improvement.
• Experience of working with partners and stakeholders in delivering changes to services.
• Extensive experience of working at a senior level in a large, complex organisation.
• Experience of managing staff and working with staff TUs/staff representatives.
• Track record in delivering financial plans and budgetary management.
• Evidence of achieving targets and objectives within a challenging environment.
• Motivating, coaching and developing individuals to achieve their potential.
• Ability to describe a clear sense of direction and purpose to motivate and enthuse staff and stakeholders.
• Able to organise own workload and that of the team to meet objectives and operate effectively.
• Understanding of contracts and performance procedures.
• Knowledge of local statutory planning frameworks.
• Current knowledge of best practice gained through personal research.
• Experience of working closely with Commissioners to inform and implement policy initiatives.

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.

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

£66,653 to £77,094 a year per annum, pro rata (inclusive of 5% HCAS