Chief Officer​/Executive Lead, Mental Health & Learning Disability Services, NHS Tayside

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

Chief Officer / Executive Lead – NHS Mental Health & Learning Disability Services

Executive Grade F (indicative)

Are you ready to lead a bold transformation in mental health and learning disability services? NHS Tayside is offering a career-defining opportunity to shape the future of care across our region. This newly created executive role will spearhead the delivery of One Vision, One Strategy, One Service – a unified, integrated model that puts people first.

We are currently operating under Stage 3 escalation of the NHS Scotland Performance Framework for Mental Health Services. But we’re not standing still – we’re on a clear and demonstrable improvement journey. With full backing from our Chief Executive, Executive Leadership Team, NHS Board the conditions are set for transformational change. What we need now is a dynamic, experienced leader to drive this forward, in partnership with the Executive Team, staff, patients and Partners, over the next 23 months.

We’re looking for a strategic, collaborative executive who :

• Has led large-scale, complex services with measurable impact
• Delivers transformational change with pace, clarity, and accountability
• Embodies NHS Scotland values and champions public service
• Builds strong partnerships with patients, families, carers, communities and multi‑agency partners
• A passion for driving improvement in Mental Health and Learning Disability Services and a commitment to Integration.

This is one of the first service areas seeking to fully implement the NHS Scotland Health & Social Care Service Renewal Framework – a bold vision for person‑centred, trauma‑informed, digitally enabled care. You’ll help shape services that are :

• Proactive and preventative
• Rooted in lived experience and community collaboration
• Data‑driven and equitable
  
  Focused on staff wellbeing and innovation in crisis response

You’ll also lead the development of a sustainable future model for Tayside, aligned with :

• Health & Social Care Integration
• The Population Health Framework
• The National Mental Health Strategy (Children & Young People, Adults, Older Adults, Psychology, and Specialist Services for both Mental Health and Learning Disability Services)

As Chief Officer / Executive Director, you will report directly to the Chief Executive and serve as a corporate leader within the Executive Team. You’ll contribute to NHS Tayside Board governance, participate in on‑call duties, and help shape strategic decisions that impact the entire organisation.

If you’re ready to take on a challenging, rewarding Executive leadership role that will leave a lasting legacy, we’d love to hear from you. Please send a letter of application along with your CV to tay.seniorappointmentst to arrive no later than 12:00 Noon on 7th January 2026. For an informal conversation please contact NHS Tayside Chief Executive nicky.connort
.