MH Alliance Planning and Commissioning Manager | South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
| Company: | South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £66,274 - £73,496 per annum inclusive of HCAS |
| Hours: | Full-time |
| Location: | Catford, SE6 4RU |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Posting date: | 10 Sept 2026 |
| Closing date: | 10 Oct 2026 |
Summary
The MH Alliance Planning and Commissioning Manager is a key role within Lewisham’s All-Age Mental Health Alliance, supporting delivery of borough and system priorities across organisational boundaries. A work plan for the individual will be jointly developed and agreed by the Assistant Director for Adults Integrated Commissioning and Deputy Director for SLAM Lewisham and Addictions’ Directorate.
The postholder will operate as a hybrid programme and commissioning lead, providing dedicated capacity to drive delivery, support decision-making, and strengthen financial and operational grip across key areas of the mental health programme.
The postholder will support delivery of the All-Age Mental Health Alliance programme, coordinating a complex portfolio aligned with South East London and Lewisham priorities set by Local Care Partnerships and the Integrated Care System. They will contribute to reducing health and wellbeing inequalities across Lewisham through collaboration with Alliance partners while maintaining effective relationships between South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM), South East London Integrated Care Board (SEL ICB), and partner organisations.
Key responsibilities include responding to Responsible Commissioner requests relating to Section 117 aftercare, leading complex care commissioning and pathway development, and reducing reliance on high-cost placements. The postholder will oversee mental health budgets, support cost containment, and address financial pressures.
The role covers commissioning, procurement, contract management, and performance oversight, working with partners to develop and deliver effective services. The postholder will provide analytical insight and commissioning advice to senior leaders and partnership forums, ensuring decisions are informed by data, evidence, and financial considerations.
A key aspect of the role is reviewing and analysing SLaM data to support evidence-based decision-making and delivery of Alliance priorities. The postholder will also lead workstreams supporting integration, transformation, and development.
SLaM's mission encompasses care and treatment, scientific research, and training. Our dedicated staff of around 5,000 serves a local population of 1.1 million across several boroughs. With over 230 services, including inpatient wards and community services, we annually support about 5,300 inpatients and treat over 45,000 community patients Key partners include: SEL Integrated Care Board (ICB) , Lewisham Local Care Partnership (Lewisham Health and Care Partners), South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Lewisham and Greenwich Trust Community & Acute Services, Healthwatch, Lewisham Council, Primary Care and Voluntary & Community Sector.
Key partners include: SEL ICB, Lewisham Local Care Partnership, Lewisham Council, Healthwatch, Primary Care and the voluntary sector.
Communications and Working Relationships
·South London and Maudsley (SLaM) Director and Deputy Director – Community
·Lewisham Adult Integrated Commissioning Division
·SEL ICB staff particularly staff in the SEL ICB wide planning team, System Intelligence, Business Support and Governance, Engagement and Commissioners (Joint borough based, Community and Acute)
·Clinical and managerial team members Lewisham Directorate
·Local Voluntary and Community Groups
·Public Health
·Adult Social Care, Lewisham Council
·Clinical and Service Directors
·Medical Consultant Leads
·Finance colleagues
·Service Users and Carers
Responsibilities
The post holder will demonstrate a methodical and structured approach along with extensive project management skills and the ability to manage all aspects of the full project lifecycle:
·Leading on the development of papers for the All-Age Mental Health Alliance and provide planning and commissioning subject matter expertise to the All-age Mental Health Alliance Development and Delivery programme in conjunction with the Assistant Director of Adult Integrated Commissioning – Adult Mental Health & Wellbeing
·Developing and overseeing clear delivery plans and timelines for core programmes of work, ensuring change happens as planned and driving forward meaningful co-design and co-production with service users, carers and communities as part of Mental Health Alliance development and delivery plan in line with the NHS 10 Year Plan.
·Enable delivery within our Integrated Care Partnership and Integrated Care Systems, supporting development at neighbourhood, place and system level.
·Lead and coordinate delivery of priority workstreams within the Mental Health Alliance, ensuring alignment with system priorities, including development of agenda, papers and minutes as required
·To work effectively with colleagues in SLaM and the Lewisham Adult Integrated Commissioning Team, elected members, clinical and professional leads, ICS and wider council.
· Support consistent application of Responsible Commissioner guidance and local policy· Develop and implement alternative commissioning solutions (e.g. step-down, rehabilitation, and community-based provision).
·Take a lead role in working with other agencies to identify areas of joint work and service development priorities which would benefit all-age MH Alliance collaboration.
·Take a lead role in ensuring that health funded placements are being overseen and are delivering on care plans and supporting discharge planning and coordination as agreed at joint funding panel, including through co-ordinating quarterly review meetings
·Ensure that changes to ways of working are undertaken with identified stakeholders within the context of the place-based health and social care economy.
·To work with our All-age Mental Health Alliance partners to establish agreed system intentions, service specifications and performance management frameworks that will effectively ensure that objectives are met and sustained by our delivery partners
·To support the management and assurance of Adult Mental Health contracts and provision on behalf of the Mental Health Alliance partners irrespective of funding/commissioning responsibility, strengthening contract and performance management approaches to ensure delivery of positive outcomes and value for money
·To ensure that all key service developments and/or procurements are aligned with the New Provider Selection regime or the financial regulations of the relevant funding/commissioning authority
·Contribute to the development of a culture of service improvement.
· Produce clear, evidence-based options and recommendations for senior leaders and partnership forums
· Support development of a more proactive, data-driven approach to managing demand and resources, including leading on analysis of internally held data through South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
·Use local, regional and national guidance and policy to support decision making.
·Identifying interdependencies across projects/functions, potential impacts on wider organisation, resource requirements and building in contingency and adjustments as necessary.
·Utilise planning skills to ensure that there is a robust approach to the delivery of the programme and associated projects.
·To undertake any other tasks that may be reasonably required as commensurate with the grade of the post.
Staff Management and leadership
·This role will sit under ICB Governance whilst working alongside Lewisham SLaM Directorate, All-age Mental Health Alliance and Lewisham Health and Care Partners and key collaborative organisations as required.
·There is an expectation that the candidate will work flexibly across organisational boundaries within Lewisham to enhance collaborative working with system colleagues.
·The postholder will have leadership responsibilities aligned to the programme and may have line management responsibility for staff within the programme team.
· The role may be required to provide line management for one or more staff within the programme team (where applicable), including supervision, performance management, and development support
· Contribute to a positive team culture, supporting staff to work effectively across organisational boundaries
· Support the development of capability across the wider team, including commissioning and analytical skills
This advert closes on Thursday 24 Sep 2026
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