Associate Director for Neurodevelopmental Services

Job summaryWe 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 jobWorking 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 2026Interviews will take place on: Friday 23rd October 2026Please ensure you are available on these dates.About usSurrey 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!DetailsDate posted18 September 2026Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 8dSalary
96,626 to 111,084 a year
Incl. 5% Fringe HCAS, pa, pro rata.
ContractPermanentWorking pattern

Full-time

Reference number -CORPJob locations18 Mole Business ParkRandalls RoadLeatherheadKT22 7ADUnited KingdomJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesPlease check the job description and personal specification document for more information on the requirement for this job.
Job description
Job responsibilitiesPlease check the job description and personal specification document for more information on the requirement for this job.Person Specification
Qualifications
EssentialProfessional Registration (NMC/HCPC/Social Worker)Educated to a Master's Degree Level or equivalent qualification. A management qualification (DMS) or equivalent.DesirableEvidence of recent continuous professional development at a senior level to include leadership development.A post graduate health qualification or equivalent
Experience
EssentialExtensive senior operational management experience within neurodevelopmental services, with significant responsibility for operational oversight and delivery of ND services, including autism and/or ADHD assessment and treatment pathways.Proven experience of personally leading large-scale operational transformation and recovery across ND services, achieving significant and sustained improvements in access, waiting list performance, service productivity, capacity, quality and clinical outcomes. Comprehensive knowledge of ND pathways and a strong understanding of the operational, workforce and demand challenges affecting autism and ADHD assessment, diagnostic and intervention servicesDemonstrable experience of translating demand and capacity analysis into workforce requirements, productivity expectations and operational delivery plans.Significant experience of directly managing senior operational managers and multidisciplinary operational services across multiple teams, pathways and/or geographical locations and establishing clear performance accountability.Experience of working effectively with clinical leaders while maintaining clear operational accountability.Demonstrable experience of identifying and reducing unwarranted operational and clinical variation.Significant financial management experience and responsibility for managing substantial budgets and resources.Demonstrable experience of using performance intelligence and data to identify problems, develop solutions and provide senior-level assurance.Extensive experience of working with commissioners/ICBs and wider system partners to resolve complex operational and pathway issues.Experience of providing assurance and presenting complex performance information to Executive and senior governance forums.
Skills
EssentialHighly developed analytical skills and ability to translate complex performance information into clear operational action.Highly developed influencing, negotiation and relationship-management skills.
Person Specification

Qualifications
EssentialProfessional Registration (NMC/HCPC/Social Worker)Educated to a Master's Degree Level or equivalent qualification. A management qualification (DMS) or equivalent.DesirableEvidence of recent continuous professional development at a senior level to include leadership development.A post graduate health qualification or equivalent
Experience
EssentialExtensive senior operational management experience within neurodevelopmental services, with significant responsibility for operational oversight and delivery of ND services, including autism and/or ADHD assessment and treatment pathways.Proven experience of personally leading large-scale operational transformation and recovery across ND services, achieving significant and sustained improvements in access, waiting list performance, service productivity, capacity, quality and clinical outcomes. Comprehensive knowledge of ND pathways and a strong understanding of the operational, workforce and demand challenges affecting autism and ADHD assessment, diagnostic and intervention servicesDemonstrable experience of translating demand and capacity analysis into workforce requirements, productivity expectations and operational delivery plans.Significant experience of directly managing senior operational managers and multidisciplinary operational services across multiple teams, pathways and/or geographical locations and establishing clear performance accountability.Experience of working effectively with clinical leaders while maintaining clear operational accountability.Demonstrable experience of identifying and reducing unwarranted operational and clinical variation.Significant financial management experience and responsibility for managing substantial budgets and resources.Demonstrable experience of using performance intelligence and data to identify problems, develop solutions and provide senior-level assurance.Extensive experience of working with commissioners/ICBs and wider system partners to resolve complex operational and pathway issues.Experience of providing assurance and presenting complex performance information to Executive and senior governance forums.
Skills
EssentialHighly developed analytical skills and ability to translate complex performance information into clear operational action.Highly developed influencing, negotiation and relationship-management skills.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.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.UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).Employer detailsEmployer nameSurrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation TrustAddress18 Mole Business ParkRandalls RoadLeatherheadKT22 7ADUnited KingdomEmployer's websiteEmployer detailsEmployer nameSurrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation TrustAddress18 Mole Business ParkRandalls RoadLeatherheadKT22 7ADUnited KingdomEmployer's website