Deputy Director of Mental Health

Executive Level 3 -£75,183 per annum

Contracted

Hours:

Full-time 37 hours per week

Contract Type: Permanent

Location: Homebased with travel as required

Closing Date: Sunday 27 September 2026 m

Stage 1 Written Assessment Date: Emailed to candidates by COB Thursday 15 Oct – to be completed & returned by 9am Monday 19 Oct

Stage 2 Interview Date (for candidates who pass Stage
1): Wednesday 28 October 2026 – to be held Face to Face in our London Office

Every role at CQC contributes to our mission. If you're looking for a new role in Mental Health that offers real meaning and purpose, you've found it.

As Deputy Director for Mental Health
, you'll provide leadership across the Central region
, helping CQC improve mental health services, protect people's rights and drive better outcomes for people who use care services.

You're leading a large and diverse portfolio across the Central region, balancing operational delivery with strategic influence. One day you're supporting teams with complex regulatory decisions, the next you're working with senior system leaders to address emerging risks and improve experiences for people using mental health services.

As a Deputy Director for Mental Health, you might;

• lead regional activity to identify and respond to emerging provider and system risks
  , ensuring regulatory action is timely, proportionate and focused on improving outcomes for people who use services.
• lead a programme of consultation and co-production
  , working with partners and people with lived experience to shape approaches to regulation and drive improvement across the sector.

You’ll play an important part in delivering our mission. In this role, you’ll:

• Provide strategic and operational leadership: Lead regulatory activity across the Central region, ensuring priorities are delivered, risks are managed effectively and high-quality regulatory decisions are made.
• Lead people and performance: Support and develop senior colleagues, oversee performance and resources, and create an inclusive environment where teams can thrive and deliver their best work.
• Build trusted partnerships: Work with providers, system partners, people who use services and colleagues across CQC to drive improvement, share expertise and deliver CQC's strategic priorities.

We will be looking for specific skills, knowledge and experience in your application form:

• Experience leading large operational services, regulatory activity or major programmes within mental health, social care, health or a similar complex environment, including responsibility for performance, risk and outcomes.
• Knowledge of regulation, operational and government policy, alongside significant expertise in mental health services and how they are delivered.
• Experience leading change or improvement work in complex environments, using data or insight to guide decisions and achieve clear improvements.

You can read the full details of the role in the following Job Description and Candidate Information Pack:

Job Description

Candidate Pack

To progress your application, you’ll need to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK. Without valid right to work you won’t be eligible for the role.
We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. Some roles may also be subject to a satisfactory DBS check.

We offer a wide range of benefits, including:

• Annual leave starting at 27 days per year, rising to 32.5 days with service, plus bank holidays (usually 8 days per year).
• Training and development opportunities.
• Wellbeing initiatives, such as gym discounts and meditation.
• NHS pension scheme, with around 23.7% employer contribution.
• Discount schemes (including eligibility for Blue Light card, costing £4.99 and valid for 2 years),…