Psychiatric Job Descriptions Approval Manager

Royal College of Psychiatrists

Hours
35 hours per week

About the Organisation

Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) is the professional membership body for psychiatrists and promotes excellent care for people with mental illness. It has 21,000 members and engages with government and the media as the leading voice of UK mental health services. The College is an award-winning, values-based organisation. 

Royal College of Psychiatrists is the professional medical body responsible for supporting psychiatrists throughout their careers, setting standards in psychiatry, and promoting mental health in the United Kingdom. The organization is crucial in education, training, research, and policy advocacy related to psychiatry and mental health services. The primary mission of RCPsych is to improve the understanding, prevention, and treatment of mental illnesses and ensure that people with mental health conditions receive high-quality care.

About the role

The Royal College of Psychiatrists is seeking an experienced and proactive Psychiatric Job Descriptions Approval Manager to lead and develop our nationally recognised Job Description Approval Service. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled manager who enjoys improving services, working with senior stakeholders, and using data and insight to drive meaningful change. You will play a key role in supporting workforce planning, recruitment and retention across psychiatry, working closely with Regional Advisors, NHS employers, College members and workforce colleagues throughout the UK.

As the strategic lead for the College's Consultant and SAS Psychiatric Job Description Approval Service, you will ensure the delivery of a high-quality, efficient and responsive service that supports psychiatric workforce development. You will oversee operational delivery, lead service improvement initiatives, manage key stakeholder relationships and identify opportunities to enhance processes through digital innovation and emerging technologies.

You will also work closely with the College's Regional Advisor network, helping to strengthen engagement, support succession planning and contribute to wider workforce initiatives. Reporting to the Head of Divisions, you will line manage a Job Description Administrator and help ensure the service delivers against organisational priorities and performance standards.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the operational delivery and ongoing development of the College’s Psychiatric Job Description Approval Service.
• Develop and implement annual service objectives and improvement plans for the Job Description Approval Process aligned with College priorities.
• Monitor service performance through agreed KPIs and produce regular performance reports for senior leadership including the Registrar and Dean, committees and governance groups as required.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement, digital innovation and use of emerging technologies, including AI-enabled solutions.
• Ensure all guidance, policies and processes relating to job description approvals remain current, accessible and compliant.
• Lead business change initiatives affecting the service and support the implementation of new systems and processes.
• Work closely with the Training and Workforce Team, Regional Advisors’
• Committee and College stakeholders to identify emerging workforce issues, using intelligence, data and sector knowledge to influence service development, inform workforce planning, and drive continuous improvement in the Job Description Approval process
• Build and maintain effective relationships with NHS employers, Regional
• Advisors, Regional Specialty Representatives, Divisions, RCPsych in Wales, the RCPsych in Northern Ireland and other workforce stakeholders.
• Act as the College lead for operational queries relating to job description approvals and Regional Advisor, Deputy Regional Advisor and Regional
• Specialty Representative activity.
• Represent the Divisions team at internal and external meetings as required and liaise with the RCPsych in Wales and the RCPsych in Northern Ireland teams to ensure alignment on activities related to the job description approval process
• Promote engagement with the Regional Advisor network and collaborate with the Workforce and Retention Manager to increase awareness of the
• College's workforce and recruitment activities within the College’s English Divisions
• Work with Division Committee Managers to implement regional working groups, recruitment and retention of Regional Advisors, Deputy Regional
  • Advisors and Regional Specialty Representatives and ensure budget is allocated accordingly
  • Set objectives, conduct regular one-to-ones, appraisals and performance reviews.
• Coach and support staff to achieve high standards of service delivery.
• Identify development opportunities and support succession planning including recruitment and inductions for Regional Advisors, Deputy
• Regional Advisors and Regional Specialist Advisors,
• Manage the Regional Advisors’ Committee and associated working groups in collaboration with the Workforce and Retention Manager, and support the strategic development of the Regional Advisor Network and workforce initiatives
• Lead the development and implementation of a Regional Advisor recruitment and engagement plan.
• Line manage the Job Description Administrator, ensuring effective workload management, supervision and development.
• Deputise for the Head of Divisions as required 

College Values:

• Living out, and being a role model for, the College values and behaviours
• Promoting understanding of how the named area/team contributes to the College’s mission and vision
• Promoting cross-College collaboration, e.g. through active contribution in the cross-College Managers’ meeting
• Acting as a communication ‘bridge’ between the College’s Heads and staff in the department
• Creating a positive, empowering and enabling environment for all staff.

General:

• Undertake any other duties related to the job purpose and which may be necessary in the College’s work.
• Carry out all duties safely and properly in accordance with the College’s Health and Safety Policy.
• Undertake all duties in line with the College’s values, policies, procedures, and regulations, ensuring that the work undertaken actively promotes equity and diversity.
• To support the College’s sustainability and net zero programme with a focus on adhering to policy and implemented initiatives.
• This job description is not exhaustive and is subject to change in accordance with the business needs of the College.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Essential:

• Experience of managing services, projects and delivering continuous improvement
• Experience of line managing staff including performance management, coaching and development
• Experience of managing relationships with senior stakeholders and committee members
• Experience of analysing data and producing reports to support decision making
• Ability to translate strategic objectives into operational delivery plans
• Proven ability to influence, negotiate and build effective working relationships
• Experience of managing change and implementing process improvements
• Strong project management and organisational skills
• Experience of developing and maintaining policies, procedures and guidance

Desirable:

• Experience working within a Medical Royal College, NHS workforce setting, higher education or membership organisation.
• Experience of workforce planning, recruitment or medical staffing processes
• Experience of managing digital systems, databases and process automation projects.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and management training

Compensation & Benefits

• 25 days of annual leave, plus public and bank holidays
• Six college closure days (during May, August and December)
• Generous flexi-time and time off in lieu (TOIL) schemes
• Enhanced maternity leave (eight weeks at full pay, 18 weeks at half pay, 13 weeks lower rate SMP, 13 weeks unpaid leave)
• Enhanced paternity leave (two weeks at full pay, rather than at the statutory level)
• Interest-free season ticket loan
• Probationary period: 6 months
• Subsidised café at our London Head Office
• Health and well-being package (including up to £160 for complementary therapies)
• Money towards annual eye tests
• Notice period: 8 weeks
• Pension Auto-enrolment
• 24/7 health and stress-related helplines
• Management support helplines
• Group Income Protection Scheme
• Generous pension and life assurance schemes

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the London office and remotely

How to apply

• Apply to our website
• Job Advert
• If you require assistance or any other reasonable adjustments to complete your application form, don't hesitate to get in touch with [email protected]
• Please note that applications received after this date and time will not be considered.

Interviews

• The interviews Wednesday, 17th September 2026 (via MS Teams)

Policies

The College is opposed to all forms of prejudice and believes that everyone should be treated fairly, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership status, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation (the protected characteristics). We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion for our existing and future members, associates, affiliates, staff, and visitors in all our practices and arrangements. We actively advocate for, and support, equality of access, experience and outcomes for all College staff, all members and for all mental health patients and carers.

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