Service Manager
6 hours ago
Colchester
Job summaryThe Service Manager for Community Mental Health Services provides senior operational leadership across the Tendring & Colchester Community Mental Health Teams, Dementia Services, Early Intervention in Psychosis and At Risk Mental State Services in North East Essex. Acting as a senior liaison point between acute hospitals, community services, third-sector and primary care partners, the role drives effective collaboration and system-wide integration to improve patient flow, capacity management, and timely access to mental health support. This includes seamless coordination across multiple interfaces (emergency departments, discharge hubs, primary care, etc.) to ensure high-quality, person-centred, trauma-informed care is delivered.Main duties of the jobOperational Leadership: Provide operational management and oversight of the the Tendring & Colchester Community Mental Health Teams, Dementia Services, Early Intervention in Psychosis and At Risk Mental State Services and community flow/capacity initiatives (including management of High Needs Users). Ensure these services function cohesively and effectively within the wider system involving Acute Trusts, Essex Social Care, Primary Care Mental Health and Third-Sector partners.See Job Description for further informationAbout usValuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.Benefits27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us (subject to T&Cs)Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.Work that wraps around your needsJob share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.DetailsDate posted14 August 2026Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 8bSalary 66,582 to 77,368 a year per annum ContractPermanentWorking pattern Full-time Reference number364-B-352Job locationsHerrick House35 East Stockwell StreetColchesterCO1 1STUnited KingdomJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesThe Service Manager for Community Mental Health Services provides senior operational leadership across the Tendring & Colchester Community Mental Health Teams, Dementia Services, Early Intervention in Psychosis and At Risk Mental State Services in North East Essex. Acting as a senior liaison point between acute hospitals, community services, third-sector and primary care partners, the role drives effective collaboration and system-wide integration to improve patient flow, capacity management, and timely access to mental health support. This includes seamless coordination across multiple interfaces (emergency departments, discharge hubs, primary care, etc.) to ensure high-quality, person-centred, trauma-informed care is delivered.This pivotal role leads on service planning, performance management, and pathway optimisation as part of the senior leadership team, ensuring services meet national and local targets while being responsible for embedding continuous improvement and innovation. The post holder must be a highly motivated, collaborative leader with deep understanding of urgent and integrated care systems, able to influence across organisational boundaries to enhance system efficiency and patient outcomes. They will need to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive, or contentious information, using advanced communication and negotiation skills to secure cooperation and shared ownership among stakeholders. The role also demands strategic system leadership representing the Trust in multi-agency forums and shaping developments across the local Neighbourhood System as the area rapidly mobilises in alignment to Neighbourhoods as part of the NHS Long Term Plan.Importantly, the Service Manager will ensure that service developments align with national and local strategic priorities. This includes advancing the goals of the NHS Long Term Plan (integrating services and expanding community-based care) and implementing the principles of the Community Mental Health Framework for place-based, integrated mental health care. The role directly contributes to EPUTs Strategic Objectives 2023 2028 delivering safe, high-quality integrated care, working with partners to improve services, and supporting our communities to thrive thereby supporting the Trusts vision and the wider systems strategic aims. Job description Job responsibilitiesThe Service Manager for Community Mental Health Services provides senior operational leadership across the Tendring & Colchester Community Mental Health Teams, Dementia Services, Early Intervention in Psychosis and At Risk Mental State Services in North East Essex. Acting as a senior liaison point between acute hospitals, community services, third-sector and primary care partners, the role drives effective collaboration and system-wide integration to improve patient flow, capacity management, and timely access to mental health support. This includes seamless coordination across multiple interfaces (emergency departments, discharge hubs, primary care, etc.) to ensure high-quality, person-centred, trauma-informed care is delivered.This pivotal role leads on service planning, performance management, and pathway optimisation as part of the senior leadership team, ensuring services meet national and local targets while being responsible for embedding continuous improvement and innovation. The post holder must be a highly motivated, collaborative leader with deep understanding of urgent and integrated care systems, able to influence across organisational boundaries to enhance system efficiency and patient outcomes. They will need to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive, or contentious information, using advanced communication and negotiation skills to secure cooperation and shared ownership among stakeholders. The role also demands strategic system leadership representing the Trust in multi-agency forums and shaping developments across the local Neighbourhood System as the area rapidly mobilises in alignment to Neighbourhoods as part of the NHS Long Term Plan.Importantly, the Service Manager will ensure that service developments align with national and local strategic priorities. This includes advancing the goals of the NHS Long Term Plan (integrating services and expanding community-based care) and implementing the principles of the Community Mental Health Framework for place-based, integrated mental health care. The role directly contributes to EPUTs Strategic Objectives 2023 2028 delivering safe, high-quality integrated care, working with partners to improve services, and supporting our communities to thrive thereby supporting the Trusts vision and the wider systems strategic aims.Person Specification Regsitration EssentialProfessional registration with a registered body. Resilience & Emotional Intelligence EssentialoResilience & Emotional Intelligence: High level of emotional intelligence, with the ability to tolerate and manage stress in self and others. Can remain calm and provide guidance in fast-paced or emotionally charged situations. Resilience to weekly emotional demands is essential. Knowledge EssentialoHighly developed specialist knowledge of health service management and improvement methodologies, underpinned by theory and experience to a master's level standard.DesirableoUnderstanding of NHS financial management and resource allocation processes. Able to interpret financial reports and use knowledge of budgeting to inform service planning (e.g. cost improvement, business case development). Education/Qualifications EssentialoMaster's degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience at senior level in health or social care at 8a and aboveDesirableoEvidence of CPD in quality improvement, project management, or system leadership Person Specification Regsitration EssentialProfessional registration with a registered body. Resilience & Emotional Intelligence EssentialoResilience & Emotional Intelligence: High level of emotional intelligence, with the ability to tolerate and manage stress in self and others. Can remain calm and provide guidance in fast-paced or emotionally charged situations. Resilience to weekly emotional demands is essential. Knowledge EssentialoHighly developed specialist knowledge of health service management and improvement methodologies, underpinned by theory and experience to a master's level standard.DesirableoUnderstanding of NHS financial management and resource allocation processes. Able to interpret financial reports and use knowledge of budgeting to inform service planning (e.g. cost improvement, business case development). Education/Qualifications EssentialoMaster's degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience at senior level in health or social care at 8a and aboveDesirableoEvidence of CPD in quality improvement, project management, or system leadershipDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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).Employer detailsEmployer nameEssex Partnership University NHS Foundation TrustAddressHerrick House35 East Stockwell StreetColchesterCO1 1STUnited KingdomEmployer's websiteEmployer detailsEmployer nameEssex Partnership University NHS Foundation TrustAddressHerrick House35 East Stockwell StreetColchesterCO1 1STUnited KingdomEmployer's website