Head of Wales

Since 1949, the Mental Health Foundation has been the UK’s leading charity for everyone’s mental health.

Our vision is for a world with good mental health for all. With prevention at the heart of what we do, we aim to find and address the sources of mental health problems so that people and communities can thrive.

We will drive change towards a mentally healthy society for all, and support communities, families and individuals to live mentally healthier lives, with a particular focus on those at greatest risk.

The Foundation is the home of Mental Health Awareness Week.

Our approach is:

• Tell the world
• We publish studies and reports on what protects mental health and the causes of poor mental health and how to tackle them.
• Find solutions
• We test and evaluate the best approaches to improving mental health in communities and then roll them out as widely as possible.
• Inform and empower
• We give advice to millions of people on mental health. We are most well-known for running Mental Health Awareness Week across the UK each year. We enable mentally healthier lives through public information and engagement.
• Change policy and practice
• We propose solutions and campaign for change to address the underlying cause of poor mental health.
• Build a strong foundation
• We aim to become an exemplar employer and aim to continue to build an organisation that is financially sustainable and thriving.

We have pioneered change for over 70 years and we are not afraid to challenge the status quo. Come join us!

Position:

The Mental Health Foundation is recruiting for a Head of Wales.

Deadline: 19th June 2023 at 5pm

Location: Cardiff

Salary: Starting salary £50,016 rising to £56,430

Hours: 35 hours per week (full time)  

Contract type: This is a permanent post

This exciting role requires a positive and energetic leader to be responsible for managing the Wales team to deliver our prevention strategy. You will develop and lead on our national programmes, policy, research and communications work.

What does the role involve?

• Lead the development of a portfolio of high impact funded programmes
• Oversee Wales policy impact in line with strategic priorities
• Support implementation of research and evaluation studies
• Support a Wales communications and engagement strategy
• Work effectively with colleagues as part of the UK leadership team

Requirements

What skills, knowledge and experience are we looking for?

• Knowledge of public health and/or mental health
• Understanding of social inequalities and their causes
• Able to communicate persuasively to individuals, organisations and the media
• Able to collaborate effectively with senior stakeholders
• Experience of managing a team effectively

Please note that for safeguarding purposes, all our roles require a DBS/PVG check.  Also, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the UK.

Other information

How to apply

 If you think your skills match and you’d like to be part of a dynamic and growing organisation, please complete and submit your application form below.  Please note that all sections of the application form should be completed as CVs will not be accepted.  Applications will close at 5pm on Monday 19th June and we are unable to accept late applications.  Interviews are planned for Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th June.  You will be asked to deliver a presentation on the day of the interview.

For an informal discussion about the role please email Lee Knifton (Director of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) at Lknifton@mentalhealth.org.uk to arrange a time.

We believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with.  Diversity and inclusion is a strategic priority for us as an employer and mental health charity, and we are proud to be signatories of the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter and the Disability Confident Committed Scheme.  Applications from under-represented sections of the community are actively encouraged.

If you have a disability, require any additional support or have any questions regarding the role, please contact us at vacancies@mentalhealth.org.uk.  We make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and during employment.  Disabled candidates who meet all the essential person specification criteria will be offered an interview.  Therefore, please do ensure you tick the relevant box on the application form and clearly indicate in your application/covering letter if you consider yourself to meet the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 / Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

We are currently operating mostly digital recruitment (including interviews via video conferencing).  We have moved to a hybrid working model of a minimum of 2 days per week in the office and the rest working from home for full time staff, pro rata for part time staff.

We look forward to hearing from you!