Head of Development and Partnerships, Surrey

Are you an experienced relationship builder with a passion for improving mental health and wellbeing? Are you someone who thrives on developing new opportunities, building strategic partnerships and turning ideas into meaningful services and support for local communities?

Contract: Fixed term contract 2 years (potential to extend)

Location: Surrey (with ability to travel to in person meetings in West Sussex and Brighton and Hove)

Holiday Entitlement: 25 days per year rising to 27 days after 2 years (pro-rata)

West Sussex Mind Values:  Excellence, Equitable, Open, Together, Curious, Unstoppable 

National Mind Excellence Awards 2025: Winner for Equality & Diversity; Highly Commended for Effective Services

Overview:

West Sussex Mind and Mind in Brighton & Hove are embarking on an exciting programme of growth and expansion into Surrey.

Hosted by West Sussex Mind on behalf of the Mind in Surrey Partnership, the Head of Development and Partnerships, Surrey will lead the establishment, development and growth of the partnership's work across Surrey, identifying and creating opportunities to improve mental health support, tackle stigma and increase access to services for local communities.

The role will involve:

• Developing relationships with Surrey and Sussex ICB, local authorities, VCSE organisations and other key stakeholders.

• Identifying and securing opportunities through grants, commissioning, tenders and partnership development.

• Involving people with lived experience in the development and design of proposals to ensure they meet the needs of local people with mental health challenges.

• Growing our mental health training offer across Surrey, including both paid-for training and community-based awareness initiatives.

• Establishing and supporting a Surrey Steering Group and maintaining excellent partnership working with Mind in Brighton & Hove.

• Leading the development and launch of the programme's profile, relationships and future opportunities.

• Reports on progress and impact to the Steering Group.

We are looking for someone who is motivated, self-sufficient and able to work independently while building strong and lasting relationships across a wide range of organisations and communities.

The successful candidate will have:

• Experience of developing partnerships across health, social care, public sector or voluntary organisations.

• Experience of securing funding, contracts, grants, commissioning opportunities or other sources of income.

• Excellent networking, relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Experience of developing and delivering projects, services or programmes.

• Strong written communication skills, including report writing, funding applications or business cases.

• The ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and take initiative.

• A commitment to improving mental health outcomes and reducing inequalities.

Experience of working within Surrey's health and social care landscape and existing local networks would be particularly advantageous.

As this role involves regular travel between multiple locations, you will be required to hold appropriate business-use vehicle insurance to ensure you are fully insured while undertaking work-related travel. Travel expenses covered: We have designated Guildford as your base point. Any travel required beyond the cost of your normal journey from home to this location will be reimbursed in accordance with expenses policy.

How to apply:

Please find an application form, guidance notes and job description for further details.on our website.

Closing date: Wednesday 9th September at 9am.

Interview date: Wednesday 23rd September in Worthing area.

Please email completed applications to:our people team

Please note we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post, you must therefore be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the UK.

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time once we receive sufficient applications and encourage all interested applicants to apply at their earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.

West Sussex Mind is committed to equality of opportunity for all staff, and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.