Associate Director for Policy and Practice (Maternity Cover)
London

Do you want a rewarding career where you can really make a difference?
If so, you could be the person we are looking for

We’re Rethink Mental Illness, a leading charity provider of mental health services in England. We support thousands of people through our groups, services, policy, campaigns and advice and information. Our work supports us in delivering on our mission: “A better life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.”

We are recruiting for someone to join us as Associate Director for Policy and Practice for Maternity cover expected to last between 9 and 12 months.

We welcome applications from everyone, applicants with lived experience, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning+ (LGBTQ+), people with a disability, or those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds are actively encouraged to apply. We are proud to have also been awarded Disability Confident employer status. We have an ambition of becoming an anti-racist organisation and we recognise there is more to do in ensuring our recruitment is fair and inclusive, which is why we are recruiting new roles in helping us to achieve this. Please be mindful that we may need to close adverts early if we receive a high volume of applications, we therefore encourage you to apply as soon as possible. If a shortened closing date has a significant impact on your ability to apply, please let us know.

As Associate Director for Policy and Practice, you will support the work we do in leading the way to a better quality of life for people affected by mental illness. Specifically, you will position Rethink Mental Illness as a policy and practice expert within NHS England, Department of Health, statutory bodies, and other opinion formers. Set, shape and deliver Rethink Mental Illness’ influencing strategy and take forward and make a working reality of our Communities that Care framework across national and local health and social care geographies; influencing national leaders to put in place appropriate levers and guidance so that local commissioners are encouraged to deliver real change on the ground.

You will lead strategic health influencing and practice improvement, including overseeing our growing co-production function and promoting the spread of learning and improvement throughout the health and care sector. You will also work with colleagues across fundraising, communications, and the broader Operations directorate to ensure that we have the funding to develop proof of concepts and publicly model innovative health and social care solutions for people severely affected by mental illness.

Do you have what we are looking for?

- Ability to deliver complex projects (including financial, contract and risk management), lead teams, manage a complex workload, set priorities, and meet tight deadlines
- Strong people management skills, including performance management and professional development
- Ability to develop coherent influencing strategies, programmes of work and to stay abreast of developments in public policy and professional practice
- Good skills in policy analysis with a focus on evidence, understanding political and policy contexts, and finding solutions
- Proactive, flexible approach, identifying and taking forward opportunities, shaping new ideas and developing partnerships
- Excellent written communication skills with the ability to present complex issues in a persuasive, accessible style to a range of different audiences
- Excellent inter-personal, negotiating and influencing skills with the presence and authority to act as Rethink Mental Illness spokesperson
- Good numeracy and confident in dealing with financial information
- Ability to assimilate new issues/areas quickly, make connections between different areas of policy and practice, and initiate and frame new agendas
- Ability to support and challenge internal colleagues, with self-confidence and a commitment to internal communication and helping others meet shared goals
- Driving improvement within complex health settings and working with NHS England, Department of Health and other ALBs at a senior level
- Developing and working in partnership to deliver systemic and/or practice improvement
- Qualitative and/or quantitative data gathering and other forms of evidence and data to inform the design and development of policy or practice solutions
- Experience of identifying and sharing innovation in service provision and commissioning
- Writing effective and engaging communications and convincing verbal communications

What will you receive?

You will have plenty of opportunities to enhance your skills with the chance to make a real difference every day. In addition, you will have excellent development opportunities including funded training, career development and a range e-learning courses. You will also receive:

- Salary of £60,339.04 to £64,032.27 or £62,985.15 to £66,678.38 inclusive of London Weighting (pro rata)
- Contributory pension scheme
- Life assurance and employee assistance programme
- 25 days’ annual leave rising to 30 days plus bank holidays
- Your "Rethink Day" - one day’s additional leave (pro rata) on your birthday
- Eyecare vouchers
- Flexible working

The Diversity and Talent Specialist looking after this role is Daniele Brennan. If you have any questions about the position, please feel free to drop her an email or give her a call.

So, if you’re seeking your next challenge as an Associate Director for Policy and Practice, please apply via the button shown. This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency.

Other organisations may call this role Associate Director, Head of Charity Policy, Head of Policy and Practice, or Associate Director Charity Policy.