Head of Partnerships

Purpose 

The Head of Partnerships will lead Southdown’s external partnerships, working closely with transformation and operational teams. This role is central to growing business opportunities, driving system change in mental health and housing support, and expanding Southdown’s role in the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector. The postholder will manage and develop key stakeholder relationships to deliver innovative partnerships that support Southdown’s mission and make a real difference to clients and the communities they live in. 

Scope 

This newly created role will enhance and grow partnerships and business opportunities with statutory health, adult social care, housing stakeholders, and VCSE sector partners. The role oversees existing partnerships in UOK Brighton & Hove and UOK East Sussex and works to create new collaborations that address community needs and align with Southdown’s goals. 

Additionally, the role will support a small team of VCSE transformation representatives who engage with community mental health transformation across Sussex, ensuring Southdown’s strategic position within the broader system. 

Key Result Areas:

External Leadership & Stakeholder Management:

• Represent Southdown externally at forums and events, building strong relationships with NHS, local authorities, and VCSE partners. 

• Influence service delivery by shaping system transformation initiatives such as the NHS Long Term Plan and community mental health strategies. 

• Collaborate with statutory agencies and VCSE partners to design innovative services, like Neighbourhood Mental Health Teams (NMHTs), that address local needs. 

• Input to development of Partnership Agreements that provide clarity on respective commitments, responsibilities and risk sharing to enable effective collaborative and integrated working.

VCSE Lead Provider Models Leadership:

• Provide strategic oversight for VCSE Lead Provider models across Brighton & Hove, East Sussex, and West Sussex. 

• Enhance collaboration by managing relationships with VCSE providers and statutory partners to ensure seamless service delivery and integration. 

• Lead mental health service development, including NMHTs and Recovery Colleges across Sussex, aligning Southdown’s work with national priorities and local needs.

Business Development & Growth:

• Develop and expand VCSE partnership models, ensuring Southdown’s leadership in mental health and housing support services. 

• Lead bids and tenders, coordinating internal teams for competitive service delivery proposals. 

• Identify opportunities for new business, innovation, and service expansion, in line with agreed organisational Strategy, ensuring Southdown stays competitive and responsive to emerging trends. 

• Growth targets, assist Southdown to achieve the growth target set within the annual organisational budget.
  

Internal Leadership & Collaboration:

• Lead the Partnerships and Transformation Teams, providing vision and direction to deliver impactful, strategic partnerships. 

• Foster collaboration across Southdown, identifying opportunities to leverage partnerships for growth and improve service delivery, ensuring alignment of strategic and operational need. 

• Manage team budgets and resources to ensure strategic priorities are met efficiently.
  

System Transformation Leadership:

• Drive system-wide changes in community mental health services by aligning Southdown with transformation efforts in NHS, local authorities, and VCSE sectors. 

• Oversee service modernisation projects, such as the mobilisation of NMHTs, ensuring Southdown’s services meet future needs and remain aligned with the Health and Care Act (2022). 
  

What You’ll Do to Make a Difference:

• Champion collaboration and advocate for integrated services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector. 

• Lead system transformation, ensuring mental health services are improved and Southdown plays a critical role in these efforts. 

• Drive growth and innovation by identifying opportunities for new partnerships and service expansion. 
  

Key Relationships:

• Internal: Partnership Leads, Business Development Project Manager, VCSE Lead for Community Transformation, and working with Southdown Operational Delivery Teams, Organisational Development, Quality Improvement and Communications teams. 

• External: NHS commissioners, subcontracted partners, VCSE organisations, local authorities, and other stakeholders in health and housing. 
  

Key Deliverables/Measures:

• Develop and sustain partnerships that establish Southdown as a strategic leader in Sussex. 

• Ensure successful delivery of VCSE-led services, meeting contract requirements through collaboration with partners. 

• Drive new business opportunities by growing revenue streams and successfully bidding for contracts. 

• Lead transformation initiatives like NMHTs and Recovery Colleges to enhance service quality and impact. 
  

Person Specification:

• Successful track record in identifying and securing business growth opportunities, including competitive tendering and commercial negotiations.   

• Proven experience in leading multi-organisational partnerships to help deliver contracted services. 

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels. 

• Experience in managing budgets and leading successful transformation initiatives. 

• Passionate about improving services for vulnerable populations through partnership and innovation. 
  
  
  

Southdown is a psychologically informed organisation where the well-being and happiness of our employees matter. We’re committed to creating a positive and compassionate work environment where employees feel valued, respected and inspired to do their best. In addition, we’re a family-friendly employer that recognises the importance of a work-life balance. If you share our values and want to work for an organisation that helps change lives for the better, we want to hear from you 

We are a Disability Confident Employer and are fully committed to supporting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and welcome applications from all candidates that meet our job specifications.  If you feel there is a barrier that potentially prevents you from applying, do get in contact with us at jobs@southdown.org as we are always happy to discuss (or arrange a discussion with the recruiting manager) to explore if any reasonable adjustments can be made to support your application 

Closing Date: 1st November 2024 

Interview Date: 14th November 2024 

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