Divisional Director of MHLD

Job summary

Our Health Board’s vision is to create a healthier north Wales, with opportunities for everyone to realise their full potential. We are seeking to strengthen our senior management team with an experienced and inspiring leader in the role of Divisional Director (MHLD) for an initial secondment period of 6 months.

Reporting to the Executive Director of AHP’s and Health Science, and being a senior leader in the University Health Board’s senior management team, the Director of MHLD is responsible for serving the population by being unambiguously accountable for all aspects of the MHLD Division’s delivery of quality, activity and financial performance through culture, strategy, people and resource management.

The post holder has responsibility for collaborating with colleagues in other Health Communities and Service Support Functions to provide high quality MHLD well-being and care services taking account of the needs of the whole North Wales population. They will be responsible for the provision of strategic leadership to ensure the safe, high quality and efficient management of all services within the responsibility and accountability of the MHLD Division. In particular, the post holder will have accountability to ensure there is a positive patient and community centered culture that delivers good outcomes for the patients and population.

Main duties of the job

• Ensure all services are integrated and focused around MHLD services across North Wales.
• Ensure decisions about local service design, implementation, operational management and strategy take account of the needs of the whole population.
• Deliver high quality and safe MHLD services for the community, within budget and in alignment with national / local targets and strategies.
• Improve community services by setting and maintaining a positive and open culture. One that enables listening and learning and collaboration with other public and third sector organisations;
• Provide visible leadership, direction and support to all staff within the MHLD Division fostering an open and inclusive style of management, encouraging team working and good working relationships. This also includes the positive management of services with independent contractors/ commissioned services.
• Continually improve the services provided to the community through proactive involvement of staff, patients and external partners.
• Keep services safe through strong and robust MHLD governance (quality, staff engagement, activity, clinical standards and financial) which links closely to Health Board wide governance.
• Proactive adoption and monitoring of all clinical and clinical professional standards and audit recommendations.
• System leadership at the most senior level both on leading and improving MHLD services within the Health Board, across North Wales and Wales with partners.

Person Specification

Qualifications and/or Knowledge

Essential

• Extensive in-depth knowledge, senior experience, and understanding of a range of issues across the NHS and NHS patient agenda.
• Higher qualification in general practice or CCT for Medical and dental staff. And/or equivalent qualification for Nursing, AHP and Health Science Pharmacy staff.
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Evidence of continued managerial and leadership professional development, including regular attendance on internal and external study programmes.

Desirable

• Current GMC/GDC/NMC/HCPC registration or equivalent for other clinical discipline (Ideally in the field of Mental Health and Learning Disabilities)
• Knowledge of management and leadership best practice.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of leading large inter-professional teams, supporting and developing staff members, and actively managing poor performance in accordance with the values of the UHB.
• Experience of managing staff and significant non-pay budgets.
• Experience of delivering services to a high quality with restricted resources.
• Robust experience of clinical governance

Desirable

• oWorking successfully in complex environments

Aptitude and Abilities

Essential

• Ability to lead the strategic development of a business or Health Organisation.
• Proven conceptual and analytical skills
• Able to use credibility, gravitas and influence to develop and improve services.
• Able to make and take decisions, following complex analysis of options and implications.
• Strong communication skills (written, oral, presentational and interpersonal). Ability to communicate effectively with senior members of the Health Board
• Ability to lead a high performing team, effectively.
• Ability to provide strategic direction and leadership in accordance with the Health Board values.
• Able to multi-task and continue to function to a high standard when under pressure
• Able to communicate well and liaise with people at all levels within and outside the Health Board.
• Ability to speak Welsh or commitment to learn basic conversational Welsh.

Desirable

• IT literate (proficient in MS Office e.g. Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint) with standard keyboard skills.

Closing Date: 10 August 2026