Associate Director for Neurodevelopmental ServicesNHS

Job summary

We are seeking an experienced and dynamicAssociate Director of Neurodevelopmental Services to provide senior operational leadership, oversight and accountability for the Trust's neurodevelopmental services. The postholder will be an experienced senior operational leader with extensive experience of managing and providing senior oversight of neurodevelopmental services and a demonstrable track record of leading large-scale operational improvement within ND services.

We are looking for an ambitious, forward-thinking leader who is passionate about delivering outstanding, patient-centred care and who will establish strong operational grip across ND pathways, ensuring that demand, capacity, workforce, waiting lists, caseloads, productivity, quality, finance and performance are understood and actively managed. A key priority will be to improve access and reduce waiting times through sustainable improvements in operational delivery rather than reliance on short-term waiting-list initiatives.

Main duties of the job

Working closely with clinical leaders, divisional leadership, corporate teams and system partners, the postholder will identify and address unwarranted variation, remove operational barriers, ensure resources are deployed effectively and establish clear standards, accountability and performance expectations across ND services.

The Associate Director will report to the Deputy Chief Operating Officer and provide clear assurance on delivery, risks and recovery to the Chief Operating Officer and relevant Trust governance arrangements.

Candidates who are shortlisted will be invited to undertake a:

Virtual Assessment : 12th October 2026

Interviews will take place on: Friday 23rd October 2026

Please ensure you are available on these dates.

Job description

Please check the job description and personal specification document for more information on the requirement for this job.

About us

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is the leading provider of mental health, learning disability, neurodevelopmental and drug and alcohol services in Surrey and North East Hampshire. We support people of all ages and are passionate about providing high quality care that is delivered at the right time as close to home as possible to help people recover and stay well.

We are one of the top 10 mental Health, Learning Disability and Community Trust to work for nationwide. Our Trust is an inclusive and supportive employer that offers a wide range of staff networks, flexible working, free parking and excellent health and wellbeing support. We also provide a wide range of opportunities to help staff develop and progress.

Surrey is a beautiful county lying just 30 minutes away from Central London and from the South Coast. Our historic market towns and bustling districts are enveloped in wonderful countryside, and our excellent road and rail networks bring the rest of the country within easy reach. For international travel, both Gatwick and Heathrow airports are nearby.

Please note that we reserve the right to close posts as soon as sufficient applications are received.

Regrettably, due to UK Home Office requirements we cannot offer sponsorship for all our job roles.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the role.

We look forward to receiving your application!