National Programme Lead - Patient Advice, Liaison and Support Services
Remote with occasional travel
Salary equivalent to Agenda for Change Band 8a DOE
At Priory, we are introducing an innovative, co-produced approach to non statutory service user support, advice and information through the launch of Navigate.
Developed in partnership with our Service Users and Lived Experience Partners (LEPs), Navigate will ensure that Priory patients, residents and carers have access to clear, accessible and appropriate advice and support throughout their care journey.
We are seeking an experienced and motivated strategic manager with a strong background in mental health services, who has successfully developed and led service user support, advice and information services within a large health and adult care environment. This is not a complaints management role – we’re seeking someone who is passionate about empowering people and embedding advocacy at the heart of care. This is a rare opportunity to shape and lead a new national service from implementation through to maturity, influencing how thousands of service users and carers access support across Priory.
The role is offered on a full-time basis (37.5 hours per week). It is primarily remote, with occasional national travel required.
The Navigate Lead will provide national leadership, management and oversight for the Navigate service, ensuring consistent standards, clarity of purpose and effective national implementation. This will involve managing contracted partners, and liaison across Priory hospitals throughout the UK.
This service has been developed by lived experience for lived experience. The successful candidate will be joining at a key implementation phase; with a focus on launching and embedding framework, operating model and standards, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities including:
- Patient rights and advocacy
- Continuous improvement
- Quality and patient experience
- Safeguarding
The post holder will:
- Provide strategic oversight and assurance of delivery across all Priory hospitals
- Manage the contracting of our procured partners in the delivery of Navigate services
- Identify emerging themes, risks and area for improvement through data, and feedback
- Offer expert guidance, constructive challenge and targeted support to services
- Strengthen local accountability while maintaining national consistency
- Work in partnership with service users and Lived Experience Partners to ensure the model remains authentic, relevant and responsive
Navigate is explicitly enabling rather than substitutive. It will not replace local accountability for delivery but will provide expert support, intervention and leadership in situations of complexity, elevated risk, thematic concern or defined short-term need.
Further information is available on the job description and recruitment pack. Please refer to these documents which are hosted on the advert on our website before submitting an application.
You will be a credible, values-led leader with the ability to influence across operational, clinical and corporate functions. You will combine strategic thinking with a grounded understanding of frontline realities in mental health systems, experience of contract management of procured partners whilst bringing sound judgement, strong governance awareness and a clear commitment to improving patient experience through patient support, advice and information.
You will demonstrate:
- Significant experience leading advice, advocacy and support services for individuals within mental health, healthcare, adult social care and or the wider sector.
- A strong understanding of patient experience, advocacy and person-centred support models.
- Proven success delivering service transformation and implementing new services across large and complex organisations.
- Experience building and managing effective partnerships, contracts and performance across multiple teams and providers.
- A sound working knowledge of the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, safeguarding, regulation and quality governance.
- The confidence to thrive in a highly autonomous role, shaping and evolving a new national service.
This position is a leadership role at Priory and during the interview process we will be assessing candidates against our leadership behaviours. These are a set of ten values driven behaviours that define great leadership at Priory. They are integral to driving a positive high performing culture where we strive to deliver the best care and outcomes for the people we support. You can find out more about our interview approach and our leadership behaviours here.
We want you to succeed at Priory and thrive in your role. You will be well supported with regular career conversations. We also offer full training and numerous pathways into leadership and qualified clinical positions to help you shape your career with us.
- 25 days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays + additional day’s leave for your Birthday!
- Annual leave entitlement increases based on length of service: 27 days after 5 years’ service and 30 days after 10 years’ service
- Length of service recognition awards – every 5 years
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Initial Disclosure Check Cost covered, if applicable to role
- ‘My Possible Self’ App and health-related benefits
- Online discounts and cashback rewards – Priory Perks
- Smart Technology scheme (qualifying period)
- Cycle to work scheme (qualifying period)
- Smart Holidays (qualifying period)
- Gym Flex (qualifying period)
- Healthcare Cash Plan – Simply Health Scheme
- Eye Care Vouchers
- ‘Cash for Colleagues’ – Employee referral scheme
- Access to development opportunities
- Sponsorship of professional qualifications through our Individual Professional Development (IPD) panel
- Leadership & management development
- Parental Leave Gift
Shortlisting may begin upon receipt of applications, and the Recruiting Manager may close the vacancy early if enough suitable candidates are identified.
Priory is the UK’s leading independent provider of mental health and adult social care. With 12,000 colleagues and a network of 270 services, we support over 24,000 people each year to live their lives as fully and independently as possible. We treat more than 70 conditions – including depression, anxiety, eating disorders and children’s mental health – and provide residential and supported living care for autistic adults, people with a learning disability, Prader–Willi Syndrome, brain injuries and older people.
We are an equal opportunities employer committed to providing an inclusive, accessible recruitment process. Learn more about the accessibility support we offer here.
For agency enquiries and applications, please view our legal statement here.
All roles are subject to a successful disclosure at an appropriate level from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Access NI or Disclosure Scotland. Priory will cover the cost of a DBS check.
