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Team Leader – Mental Health Service Renewal
Scottish Government OGD Recruitment
Source: Headcount Labs · original listing ↗
Job data: Headcount Labs, ODbL 1.0. Job descriptions belong to their employers.
Source date: 10/30/2026
About this role
Job Description This is an Expression of Interest (EOI) opportunity, available on a lateral move basis only. Applications are open to Core Scottish Government employees only. Job Title - Team Leader - Mental Health and Service Renewal Business Area/Directorate - We are seeking a high-performing and ambitious leader for the new Service Renewal Team which will sit within Improving Mental Health Services Division, Mental Health and Social Care & National Care Service Directorate. Location - St Andrews House / Atlantic Quay Working Arrangement – Staff in roles compatible with hybrid working should aim to spend 40% of their contracted working time working in person at their contractual workplace. More information can be found within Hybrid Working Policy Grade - C1 Advert type - Level Transfer only Duration - Permanent Eligibility - Expressions of interest are invited from substantive colleagues on level transfer from Core SG only. Sponsorship: Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result, we are unable to appoint candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK. Overview This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role, in partnership with delivery partners, to ensure people across Scotland can access mental health services and neurodevelopmental support - at the right time, and in the right place. You will make a significant contribution to achieving the vision and outcomes set out in the Mental Health & Wellbeing Strategy, and directly work on renewal priorities across mental health, as set out in the forthcoming Mental Health and Wellbeing Delivery Plan. This work will be aligned to the Public Service Reform, Health and Social Renewal Framework and the Population Health Framework. This post is key to the delivery of mental health service renewal. In particular, the post will be responsible for 2 key deliverables, supporting the development of the third deliverable, a blueprint, and the longer term implementation of the renewal priorities to drive improvement across the system. The successful candidate will work in partnership with units across the three Mental Health divisions to deliver a mental health population needs assessment and mental health quality indicators. The post holder will need to be confident in developing relationships with senior leaders in health, local government and the third sector, to ensure that the renewal work takes into account the roles of each part of our mental health and wellbeing system, as well as working alongside Ministers, senior officials, professional advisers, NHS Boards and delivery partners to support implementation. This is a new team, and there is considerable scope for a motivated and dynamic Team Leader to scope the work required and shape the work of the team accordingly. The team will also be responsible for ensuring that the learning and work from Mental Health and Adults With Incapacity programme supports the development of the new renewal activities. The team comprises a C1 (this post) and 2 x B3s. You will have line management responsibility for the 2 x B3s. You will also have support from a wider matrix project team and professional advisers. Responsibilities: Lead implementation of mental health service renewal activity, working strategically and collaboratively with external mental health partners and colleagues in the Directorate and DG to develop a programme to implement the mental health blueprint and outcomes framework to facilitate the delivery of strategic service redesign. Ensure robust plans are in place for two of the key mental health service renewal deliverables – a Mental Health Strategic Needs Assessment and the Refresh of Mental Health Quality Indicators. This activity should be developed alongside the third element of renewal - work on the Mental Health and Wellbeing Blueprint. In support of these, it is expected modelling work and appraisal of governance options will be required. Develop and oversee an engagement strategy to ensure the work is driven and shaped collaboratively; key partners include senior leaders in NHS, Integrated Joint Boards, clinical professions, key third sector mental health organisations and people with lived experience. Directly lead on the coordination of the mental health and neurodevelopmental key deliverables with partner organisations, such as PSD Scotland, Healthcare Improvement Scotland and Public Health Scotland. This will include scoping work to establish how to best ensure mental health funding maximises impact and to establish appropriate oversight. In conjunction with the mental health blueprint lead, develop a matrix project team across the Directorate to ensure policy alignment and excellent communication on service renewal, and ensure that all 3 key deliverables are taken forward with appropriate governance. Lead the development of a plan to ensure performance data and evidence from the mental health system is used to provide assurance for Ministers. This will involve working closely with colleagues in the Performance and Delivery Directorate to ensure that there is a robust approach to monitoring performance and driving improvement across services. Ensure alignment of the mental health renewal plans with wider Health and Social Care Renewal, including the Primary Care Route Map, Community First and the Hospital Flow Plan, and actively engage and contribute to the overarching Health and Social Care Strategic Renewal Framework programme arrangements. Oversee ministerial and corporate business for the team, including micases, PQs and debates where appropriate. Success Profile Experience: Leading policy development, and programme delivery in a complex environment. Managing strategic relationships with senior stakeholders, including NHS Boards, government colleagues and national partners. Delivering projects or programmes involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities. Using analysis, evidence and performance information to support decision-making and drive renewal. Leading and developing high-performing teams, building capability and fostering an inclusive culture. Influencing outcomes in politically sensitive or high-profile environments. Excellent written and verbal communication, engagement and relationship-management skills. Behaviours Communicating and Influencing – Level 4 Leadership – Level 4 Delivering at Pace – Level 4 Managing a Quality Service – Level 4 You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here: : Behaviour levels - Success profiles: candidate guide Working Pattern This role is a permanent level transfer position. This post is a full-time role, but we welcome applications from staff with different working patterns, proposed working patterns will be assessed against the business requirements for this post. Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role, including Flexi-leave. Scottish Government staff in hybrid-compatible roles should aim to work in-person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us. Further Information Further information about this opportunity is available from victoria.beattie@gov.scot How to Apply Please submit an Expression of Interest (maximum 750 words) outlining your suitability for the role, relevant skills and experience, and what you would bring to the team. Please align this to how you meet the behaviours, experience and technical skills listed in the Success Profile above. Vacancies close at 23:59pm on Friday 6 November. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment. If invited for further assessment, this will consist of a light-touch interview, scheduled for w/c TBC. Recruitment Principles As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases. About us The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles. Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service observing the Civil Service Code and working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland. We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer. As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules. Security checks Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions). You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide. Equality statement We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation. Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them. Further information Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website. Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes. Apply before: 06/11/2026 (23:59). This role is open to substantive C1 staff from core SG only. Job Info Job Identification 5183 Job Category Policy Official Apply Before 11/06/2026 Locations Edinburgh, United Kingdom Glasgow, United Kingdom (Hybrid) Minimum Annual Salary 62111.00 Maximum Annual Salary 77439.00 Working Pattern Full Time Hire Type Permanent