Operational and Strategic Lead / Head of Service

Job summary

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced clinical leader to take up an interim position as the Head of Service for TALKWORKS.

TALKWORKS is a large and high performing NHS Talking Therapies Service, providing psychological therapy to people with common mental health disorders across Devon.

The post holder will lead a large clinical service and a group of highly motivated clinical leaders, to deliver the best outcomes for patients in the context of the NHS Talking Therapies programme, and the objectives set by the organisation, the ICB and NHS England.

Main duties of the job

The Interim Head of Service will have overall responsibility for the safe, effective and efficient delivery of Devon's NHS Talking Therapies Service. Responsibilities will include:

• Compassionately leading a large clinical service in line with the model described in the NHS TT Manual
• Leading the delivery of safe, consistent and equitable clinical interventions ensuring the highest standards of clinical governance
• Leading leaders, managing managers, and providing the strategic direction for the service to meet the needs of the local population and the requirements set by the ICB and NHSE
• Working within the services' financial envelope and supporting the organisation to deliver an efficient and productive clinical offer
• Working closely with the directorate and organisational leadership to provide assurance, continue to develop the service, and drive clinical and digital innovation

About us

About Devon Partnership Trust

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Details

• Date posted: 01 October 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 8c
• Salary: £79,504 to £91,609 a year
• Contract: Secondment
• Duration: 12 months
• Working pattern: Full-time, Job share, Flexible working
• Reference number: C9369-26-0743
• Job locations: Wonford House, Dryden Road, Exeter, Devon, EX2 5AF, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

TALKWORKS is Devons (excl Plymouth) NHS Talking Therapies Service, and is one of the largest services operated by DPT with circa 300 staff. The service is configured into 13 teams (12 clinical, 1 operational), and delivers evidence based interventions for thousands of people across the county each year.

The post holder will play a crucial role in the strategic and operational delivery and development of this service, which has a range of nationally determined KPIs to deliver, and a prescribed delivery model and mandate to adhere to. In addition the post holder will ensure that the following fundamental and underlying activities to the Trusts success are achieved:

• Ensuring quality of services to patients, visitors and staff, including management of clinical governance, healthcare standards and risk.
• Maximising delivery of operational and performance management standards and to develop and deliver recovery plans where performance standards are not being met.
• Planning, marketing and developing services
• Optimising resource management and managing capacity and operational planning. Ensuring the delivery of high quality care at all times.
• Embedding continuous improvement into everyday practice.
• Managing projects to successful outcomes.
• Engaging clinical and non-clinical staff in the business of the Trust and of the service area.
• To work closely with information staff to ensure that any new systems developed meet with local and regional reporting requirements and that their use is consistently embedded in working practices.
• Robust engagement with our system and partner agencies to work toward integrative models of provision
• Lead on designated trust wide developments which cross directorates and integrate streamlined services.

In pursuing these activities the post holder will ensure compliance with the NHS

Constitution and be familiar with the NHS England Guidance Understanding the new NHS.

Working with the Service Director and other Directorate colleagues to realise the Trusts strategic vision and accountability framework.

UK Registration

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