Band 8a Operational Deputy – Projects – Devizes

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Job summary

Wiltshire Talking Therapies is seeking an experienced and dynamic individual for an Band 8a Operations Manager to provide operational leadership across Talking Therapies services within the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW) teams. This role combines operational management with clinical practice, requiring a skilled clinician who can balance strategic service leadership, projects and a clinical caseload. The post holder will lead the development and optimisation of digital access and online self referral pathways, oversee third party service provision, and drive service improvement initiatives that enhance access, quality, and efficiency. Working collaboratively across the wider Talking Therapies network, they will ensure high standards of patient care, support performance delivery, and contribute to the ongoing transformation of mental health services across BSW. Based within Wiltshire Talking Therapies, the role includes operational oversight across the wider BSW Talking Therapies footprint when required and face-to-face clinical work within Wiltshire.

The Talking Therapies Team won the AWP “Team of the Year” award in 2025 where it was recognised for outstanding service improvements. We place a very strong focus on staff wellbeing and development.

Main duties of the job

  • Provide operational leadership across Wiltshire and the wider BSW Talking Therapies services, ensuring safe, effective, and high-quality service delivery.
  • Lead the oversight and management of third-party service providers, monitoring performance, quality, outcomes, and contractual delivery
  • Drive the implementation, optimisation, and ongoing development of digital access pathways, including online referrals and digital triage systems.
  • Lead service improvement and transformation projects, using data and feedback to improve access, patient experience, clinical outcomes, and operational efficiency.
  • Support service performance management by monitoring activity, pathway effectiveness, waiting times, and service targets across the Talking Therapies system.
  • Act as a key liaison between services, stakeholders, and external providers, ensuring effective communication and collaboration.
  • Provide operational cover and leadership across BSW Talking Therapies teams as required.
  • Maintain a clinical caseload, using clinical expertise to support assessment, suitability decisions, and the delivery of high-quality patient care.
  • Ensure Talking Therapies pathways and assessment processes are delivered consistently and in line with local and national standards.
  • Support and contribute to the ongoing transformation of Talking Therapies services, embedding innovation and best practice across the system.
  • Provide therapy inline with the Talking Therapies manual.

Person Specification

4/4

Essential

  • Qualification in one of the Talking Therapies mental health clinical modalities at a minimum of masters level / level 7 with associated professional registration (HCP, BABCP, BPS)
  • Substantial understanding and expertise in Talking Therapies remit and assessment
  • Experience in operational management and leadership
  • Clinical Audit experience

Desirable

  • Supervisory training and experience
  • Presentation and training skills

Other Requirements

Essential

  • Empathy for individuals who have experienced mental health problems and ability to cope with behaviour which may be challenging at times.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Closing Date: 9 August 2026

To apply for this job please visit apps.trac.jobs.