Head of Services and Partnerships

Motor Neurone Disease Association

About the Organisation

Motor Neurone Disease moves fast. It takes away time, independence, and has no cure. Every day, we support people affected by MND. We fund ground-breaking research. We campaign for better care. We’re here for everyone who needs us. Because with MND, every day matters

About the role

The Head of Services and Partnerships - North of England role is for a bold and ambitious leader who can move at pace, think with precision, and deliver with intent. You will bring proven experience of leading complex health and social care services, driving transformation, and making key decisions with clarity and confidence.

As Head of Services and Partnerships, you will balance urgency with attention to detail, using insight, data, and strong judgment to shape high-quality, coordinated services. You will be accountable for shaping and delivering a high-impact regional plan that improves support and outcomes for people living with and affected by MND.

This role demands resilience, credibility, and the ability to influence at senior levels while keeping a sharp focus on outcomes. We are looking for an experienced leader who brings ambition to deliver at this level and will ensure MND Association services are coordinated, high-quality, equitable, personalised, and have a lasting impact. This is an opportunity to make a long-lasting difference.

Responsibilities

Main Responsibilities:

• Work alongside the Senior Head of Integrated Services and Delivery to lead the design and delivery of our Integrated Support
• Model. To enhance the coordination of national and regional services, such as 1:1, peer support, and our MND Connect Support
• Line, and improve the experience and impact of our support for people with and affected by MND.
• Alongside the Head of Service Improvement & Transformation, provide leadership on local, regional, and three-nations action to drive change and improvement across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
• Be accountable for the development of proposals and plans within the region in line with nationally funded programmes. Overseeing contract compliance, relationship management and grant applications, and be responsible for an annual budget of £750,000.
• Provide strategic leadership on behalf of Services and Partnership Directorate to cross-team, cross-directorate, and Association-wide initiatives, including one or more areas of collective corporate responsibility, such as Safeguarding, Information Governance, Impact, and Operational Effectiveness.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team through the management of Association staff and volunteers within the region to deliver high-quality, safe and compliant services that have a lasting impact.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with our volunteers, health and social care, and voluntary sector partners to strengthen the delivery of the national strategy and local plans.
• As the Designated Safeguarding Manager (DSM) for the region, working closely with our Safeguarding Manager and Safeguarding
• Board to ensure compliance with and the continuous improvement of our policies and procedures.
• Support the Services & Partnerships Leadership Team with the annual business planning process and strategy development/refreshes.
• Deputize for the Senior Head of Integrated Support and Delivery when required.
• Undertake any other task relevant to the job purpose and ensure that all functions performed reflect the Association's mission and core values.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Essential Criteria:

• Excellent understanding of UK health and social care systems.
• Significant experience in leading large-scale change, service improvement, and transformation.
• Proven ability to develop and deliver strategic, outcomes-focused plans, programmes, and budgets.
• Significant experience in leading and developing high-performing teams within complex, matrix environments, with the ability to plan and deliver services and influence organizational culture.
• Proven ability to build, influence and manage senior stakeholder relationships, including health, social care, voluntary sector partners, commissioners, and funders.
• Experience in leading integrated or cross-organizational service delivery models
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, governance, risk management, and quality assurance.
• Experience of designing and delivering person-centred services informed by user insight and co-production.
• Strong operational experience, including service delivery, performance management, and the use of data to drive improvement.
• Significant programme and project leadership experience, including evaluating impact and driving continuous improvement.
• Strong financial management experience, including planning and managing budgets.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly to a range of audiences.
• Able to travel often throughout the region, and regularly to London and Northampton.

Compensation & Benefits

• 28 days holiday, increasing to 33 days after 5 years, plus Bank Holidays
• Access to UK Healthcare, including dental, eyecare, health screenings, and therapies
• 24/7 GP access via phone and video
• Life assurance and confidential counselling helplines
• Salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to Work, Buy/Sell Annual Leave)
• Access to the Benefit Hub for discounts on everyday shopping
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Opportunities for training and personal development

Working locations

• Home-based
• Frequent travel requirements across the North of England. Minimum 1 day per week and regular across the region, and travel to Northampton at least once a month.

How to apply

• Please apply via our website.
• To support an inclusive application process, we are open to receiving alternative applications from candidates who may find it difficult to complete our online form. If you would like to apply via video or audio file, please send your recorded application, ensuring you cover the supporting statement aspect, to [email protected]

Interviews

• Once we have shortlisted, we'll get in touch with all applicants to let you know if you've got to the next stage.

Policies

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We work to remove barriers for everyone affected by MND, including employees, volunteers, and stakeholders. As part of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the role's requirements.

The information provided to the MND Association when applying for a vacancy will be treated in full accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The MND Association is committed to protecting your personal information and being transparent about what information we hold, whether you are a donor, volunteer, shopper, campaigner, or a person living with or affected by MND. For more information, visit Privacy Policy

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