Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and dynamic operational leader to join Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust as the Pan Mental Health Liaison Service (MHLS) Operational Manager.

This strategic role is responsible for the leadership, management and development of Mental Health Liaison Services across the Black Country, ensuring delivery of high-quality, responsive and sustainable services within acute hospital settings. Reporting to the Senior Operational Manager, the post holder will lead the operational delivery of services in line with National Core 24 standards, local service specifications and Trust priorities.

Working collaboratively with Acute Trust partners, commissioners and multi-disciplinary teams, the successful candidate will play a pivotal role in driving service improvement, performance management, workforce development and quality assurance. They will contribute to the wider operational and strategic objectives of the Adult Mental Health Division while ensuring patients receive timely, effective and person-centred mental healthcare.

This is an excellent opportunity for an innovative and motivated leader with significant operational management experience to influence the ongoing development of liaison mental health services across the Black Country.

Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will:

• Provide operational leadership and oversight for Mental Health Liaison Services across the Black Country.
• Ensure services consistently meet National Core 24 standards and locally commissioned requirements.
• Lead performance, quality and operational management across all MHLS teams.
• Work collaboratively with Acute Hospital Trusts to improve patient pathways and the quality of care for people experiencing mental ill health.
• Develop and maintain effective partnerships with commissioners, provider organisations and key stakeholders.
• Lead workforce planning, recruitment, retention and staff development across the service.
• Manage delegated budgets and contribute to financial planning, efficiency programmes and cost improvement initiatives.
• Ensure services operate within governance, risk, safeguarding and regulatory requirements.
• Support the achievement of service accreditation through the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Accreditation for Liaison Mental Health Services.
• Contribute to business planning, service transformation, quality improvement and strategic development initiatives.
• Represent the Trust at local, regional and national mental health liaison networks and forums.
• Participate in the Trust's managerial on-call rota as required.

About us
Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust provides specialist mental health, learning disability and community healthcare services across the Black Country and wider region. We are committed to delivering high-quality care that places service users, carers and communities at the heart of everything we do.

Our Trust is driven by a commitment to continuous improvement, innovation and partnership working. We recognise that our staff are our greatest asset and are dedicated to creating an inclusive, compassionate and supportive working environment where individuals can thrive and develop their careers.

The Adult Mental Health Division places recovery at the heart of its services and works in accordance with the principles of:

• Connectedness
• Hope
• Identity
• Meaning
• Empowerment

As a senior leader within the Trust, you will have the opportunity to influence service delivery across multiple organisations, work alongside highly skilled multidisciplinary teams and contribute to the ongoing development of mental health services that make a real difference to local communities.

Details
Date posted: 11 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £57,528 to £64,750 a year per annum
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 6 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 285-3647-MH
Job locations: Pan Trust, Civic Centre, Wolverhampton, WV11SH, United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
The Pan Mental Health Liaison Operational Manager will provide strategic and operational leadership for Mental Health Liaison Services across the Black Country, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective, high-quality and recovery-focused services within acute hospital settings.

Key responsibilities include:

Service Leadership and Development

• Provide overarching operational leadership for Mental Health Liaison Services across the Black Country.
• Ensure compliance with National Core 24 standards and locally agreed service specifications.
• Lead and support the achievement and maintenance of Royal College Accreditation for Liaison Psychiatry services.
• Develop innovative approaches to strengthen collaboration between Acute Trusts and secondary mental health services.
• Contribute to regional and national liaison mental health networks, representing the Trust as required.

Operational Management

• Lead the management, coordination and delivery of Mental Health Liaison Services.
• Ensure effective and efficient operational performance across all areas of responsibility.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with Acute Trust partners and key stakeholders.
• Participate in senior management on-call arrangements as required.

Performance and Quality

• Monitor and manage service performance against agreed local and national standards.
• Identify operational challenges and implement timely corrective actions.
• Lead quality improvement initiatives, ensuring high standards of care and patient experience.
• Ensure compliance with governance, regulatory and quality frameworks.

Financial Responsibility

• Manage delegated budgets and resources effectively.
• Work collaboratively with finance colleagues to ensure delivery of financial plans and budgetary balance.
• Lead the development and implementation of service-specific efficiency and cost improvement programmes.

Workforce Leadership

• Provide leadership and management to multidisciplinary teams, including Team Leads, Clinical Leads, Senior Mental Health Practitioners and Psychology staff.
• Lead workforce planning, recruitment, retention and succession planning activities.
• Ensure robust supervision, appraisal and professional development arrangements are in place.
• Promote staff wellbeing, engagement and a positive organisational culture.

Governance and Risk

• Ensure effective management of risk, complaints, incidents and health and safety requirements.
• Support the delivery of quality improvement plans, audit programmes, CQUIN requirements and service development initiatives.
• Ensure safeguarding responsibilities are embedded across services and that all staff comply with statutory requirements.

Business Planning and Partnership Working

• Contribute to divisional business planning and strategic development objectives.
• Support the development of business cases, service redesign initiatives and potential growth opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with commissioners, local authorities, Acute Trusts, voluntary sector organisations, service users and carers to shape and improve services.
• Produce reports, performance information and business planning documentation as required.

Corporate Responsibilities

• Promote and uphold the values, objectives and priorities of Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
• Support service modernisation and transformation programmes.
• Contribute to the wider operational and strategic management of the Adult Mental Health Division.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of the post.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Nursing Qualification
• Management qualification or working towards
• First Degree or equivalent professional qualification

Experience
Essential

• At least three years at management level within Health and Social Care
• Experience of working in front line services within urgent/planned care, MHLS, CRHTT, SPA/SPOR, in-patient areas, Community
• Developing effective networks and partnerships and stakeholder engagement

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Pan Trust, Civic Centre, Wolverhampton, WV11SH, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.blackcountryhealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Senior Operational Manager - Urgent Care
James Parker
james.parker4@nhs.net
07525420059

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.