Overview
Job Title: Service Development Lead
Reporting to: Head of Neurodevelopment Service
Hours: Full Time - Fixed term- 9 months
Start date: January 2026
First stage interviews to be held on 3rd October. Second stage interviews will be held on 8th October 2025.
Employer: Oakdale Group
About Oakdale
Oakdale was established twenty-five years ago and is a professional therapy provider. We are a community-based organisation with a multidisciplinary team delivering flexible, evidence-based clinical services. Our services are designed to meet the needs of clients and commissioners, with most services commissioned by the NHS or Local Authorities. Oakdale has Clinical Centres in Horsforth and Farsley in Leeds, Harrogate and Halifax, and delivers services from York, Selby and Skipton. We operate mainly in the North of England with some nationwide online delivery. The organisation prioritises collaborative, reflective and transparent practice, measuring outcomes and seeking continuous improvement.
Role purpose
To lead and deliver a variety of service development projects within Oakdale, initially predominantly within the Neurodevelopmental Service. The role oversees the full service development project lifecycle from initiation to completion, ensuring delivery on time, within scope, and to budget. You will work with clinical and non-clinical teams and stakeholders to improve service delivery, efficiency and client outcomes.
Responsibilities and duties
* Lead planning, execution and closure of service development and transformation projects, aligning with divisional strategy and Oakdale Group.
* Plan and implement a strategic approach to service transformation, applying best practices to development work streams.
* Lead specific development projects and change initiatives, including project planning, stakeholder identification, resource implications, benefits, and KPIs.
* Coordinate day-to-day implementation and development of service workstreams; monitor progress against milestones.
* Collaborate with clinical leadership to ensure implementation maintains high standards of clinical care.
* Engage internal stakeholders across reporting, finance, contracting, workforce, and engagement plans.
* Represent Oakdale at strategy, development and performance meetings, internally and with external partners.
* Use the Oakdale Case Management system and MI data to monitor service quality against KPIs.
* Contribute to Neurodevelopmental Service senior leadership to deliver high-quality, cost-efficient neurodevelopmental services.
* Assist with drafting tender copy and coordinating bids.
* Ensure client experience remains central to projects and developments.
* Develop detailed project plans, risk assessments and stakeholder communication plans.
* Support project teams including clinicians, administrators, IT and external contractors; ensure effective collaboration.
* Define and monitor KPIs and milestones; track progress and manage risks/issues with corrective action as needed.
* Prepare and present regular project reports for senior management and stakeholders.
* Ensure service development activities comply with Oakdale policies and quality standards.
* Facilitate workshops, meetings and training as required; drive continuous improvement.
Right to Choose development
* Coordinate with administrators to manage Right to Choose referrals and queries.
* Maintain cohesive information flow with commissioners and clients; update Oakdale's web site, external directories and social media with waiting times and access protocols.
* Ensure systems and processes handle Right to Choose referrals and monitor outcomes.
* Quality check service reports and share with NHS commissioners as appropriate in collaboration with the Head of Service.
* Maintain relationships with NHS/ICB commissioners and procurement officers to position Oakdale as a provider of choice.
General
* Stay up to date with developments and best practice to drive continuous improvement.
* Contribute to leadership of the Neurodevelopmental Service; ensure efficient operational processes and high-quality care through collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team.
* Provide service leadership in line with Oakdale values and foster a user-proud service environment.
* Comply with Oakdale policies, with attention to risk and safeguarding.
First stage interviews to be held on 3rd October. Second stage interviews will be held on 8th October 2025.
Advert closing date: 24th September 2025.
Person specification
Qualifications/Training
* Educated to degree level
Knowledge
* Understanding of neurodevelopmental assessments and support
* Knowledge of NHS commissioning structures, contracting conventions, and the NHS Right to Choose agenda
* Experience working in multidisciplinary teams
* Knowledge of performance measurement including KPIs
Experience & Skills
* Genuine passion for helping people improve their lives
* Senior-level experience with relationships with commissioners and key clients
* Leadership skills including team management, quality assurance, training and strategic development
* Ability to influence clinicians and teams to achieve outputs
* Experience in designing and developing teams to meet service requirements
* Experience in defining operational processes and writing procedures, business cases and proposals
* Commitment to ethical practice and safeguarding
* Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team
* Collaborative style and ability to support delivery of high-quality clinical service
* Strong communication and stakeholder relationship skills
* Experience providing staff appraisals and performance reviews
* Computer literacy (Google Workspace and databases)
* Strong organisational skills and ability to meet deadlines
* Excellent written and verbal presentation skills
* Interest in contributing to senior leadership and strategy development
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