The opportunity…

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Operations Director, you will be responsible for the overall day-to-day management and strategic direction of the hospital. You will provide visible, effective and compassionate leadership, ensuring that clinical quality, regulatory compliance, workforce performance, financial management and service development remain at the heart of everything we do. This is a broad and influential leadership position with accountability across:

• Clinical quality and patient safety
• Hospital operations and service performance
• CQC compliance and clinical governance
• Risk assessment and risk management
• Safeguarding and Mental Health Act compliance
• Workforce planning, recruitment and retention
• Staff supervision, appraisal and development
• Budgetary control and financial performance
• Health and safety, estates and environmental standards
• Commissioner relationships, contracts and KPIs
• Service development, occupancy and external reputation

About You…

You will be a credible and experienced healthcare leader with the confidence to manage a complex specialist hospital and inspire high-performing multidisciplinary teams.

You Will Have

• At least two years’ significant management or leadership experience within a similar healthcare setting.
• Strong knowledge of hospital operations, clinical governance, quality assurance and regulatory compliance.
• A good understanding of the Mental Health Act and relevant national care standards.
• Experience of leading services for people with mental health needs, learning disabilities, autism or behaviours that may challenge.
• Proven experience of managing budgets, staffing levels, resources and financial performance.
• The ability to translate policies and procedures into safe, consistent practice.
• Experience of auditing services, identifying improvement opportunities and leading sustainable change.
• Strong people-management skills, including objective setting, coaching, performance management and team development.
• The ability to build positive relationships with service users, families, commissioners, regulators and external agencies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce professional reports.
• The ability to delegate effectively, prioritise competing demands and remain composed under pressure.
• The flexibility to participate in an on-call rota where required.
• A full UK driving licence or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role.
• A relevant degree, formal management qualification or current professional nursing registration would be advantageous but is not essential.

Why Cygnet?

This is an opportunity to lead a diverse group of specialist services and make a meaningful difference to the lives of the people in our care, their families and the teams who support them. You will join an established organisation where quality, safety, recovery and positive outcomes are central to service delivery. You will have the scope to shape the hospital’s strategic direction, strengthen its culture and lead continuous improvement across clinical and operational performance.

We'll Offer You

• Competitive Salary: Up to £100,000 DOE
• Strong career progression opportunities
• Monthly reflective practice, & support with CPD opportunities
• Expert clinical supervision & peer support
• Employee referral scheme
• Pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme & employee discount saving.

If you are an experienced Hospital Manager, Hospital Director, Registered Manager, Senior Healthcare Manager or Mental Health Service Director looking for your next senior leadership role in Colchester or Essex, we would be pleased to hear from you.

What next?

If you care about making a difference – we want to talk to you.

Click the button to apply