Director of Service Performance & Strategic Growth TLNT1_NI

Our client, Lena is a leading provider of therapeutic and workplace wellbeing services, supporting almost 400 organisations and reaching up to 700,000 people. Part of the Inspire Group, Lena combines clinical expertise with a clear social purpose: delivering meaningful improvements in mental health while building a strong and commercially sustainable business. Lena is now entering an important phase of development and is seeking an experienced senior leader to drive service performance, clinical and operational excellence, digital enablement and long-term strategic growth.

The Job Reporting to the Managing Director, the Director of Service Performance & Strategic Growth will provide strategic leadership across Lenas service quality, operational performance and future development. The successful candidate will:
Provide strategic oversight of clinical and service operations across Lena. Ensure services are delivered safely, consistently and in accordance with clinical governance, quality and regulatory standards. Lead the development of robust governance, assurance, risk-management and safeguarding arrangements. Drive continuous improvement in service quality, efficiency, consistency and outcomes. Establish effective performance frameworks, dashboards and reporting arrangements. Use operational data, customer insight and market intelligence to identify risks, opportunities and priorities for improvement.

Lead the development of clinically informed services, products and propositions. Ensure new services are evidence-based, operationally viable, scalable and responsive to customer needs. Identify emerging market opportunities and shape Lenas medium- and long-term growth strategy. Hold accountability for Lenas key digital platforms, including its website, wellbeing and support hub, case management system and CRM. Support the responsible adoption of new technologies, including AI-enabled tools, where these can improve service quality, insight or operational efficiency.

Lead the coordination and management of strategic tenders and bids across Lena and the wider Inspire Group. Work closely with clinical, operational, digital, finance and commercial colleagues to produce high-quality and competitive submissions. Lead, coach and develop senior managers and specialists within the Service Performance & Strategic Growth function. This is a broad and influential director-level appointment, combining responsibility for todays service performance with the development of the services, systems and opportunities that will support Lenas future growth.

The Person We are seeking an accomplished senior leader with significant experience of service or operational management and a strong understanding of quality, governance, risk and improvement. Candidates should be able to demonstrate:
Senior leadership experience within a service delivery or operational environment. A track record of leading safe, effective, efficient and well-governed services.

Experience of quality management, governance, assurance, risk and continuous improvement.

Experience of managing operational functions and working with commissioning, contracting, procurement or public-sector processes. The ability to develop and deliver strategic plans supporting growth, transformation, sustainability and improved outcomes.

Experience of using data, dashboards, customer feedback and market intelligence to inform decisions and improve performance.

Experience of technology-enabled services, digital platforms, CRM or case management systems and insight tools. Knowledge of strategic bidding, tendering, commissioning or procurement processes. The ability to translate strategy into clear priorities, operational plans and measurable outcomes. Strong relationship-building and influencing skills, with experience of working with senior stakeholders, customers, commissioners and external partners.

Experience of leading and developing multidisciplinary teams. A relevant third-level qualification or equivalent senior-level experience. The successful candidate will be strategic, quality-driven and pragmatic, with the judgement to balance clinical, operational, commercial and organisational priorities. They will be an effective communicator and collaborative leader, comfortable working across functions and organisational boundaries. To Apply If you have the experience and ambition to help Lena deliver its next phase of sustainable commercial growth, please send a tailored CV using the appropriate method or call Neal Lucas for a confidential discussion about the opportunity.

All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Skills:

Operations Management Bid Writing service operations Psychology Risk Management Governance