Director of Psychology (EGPP) – NHS Lothian About the role NHS Lothian continues to grow and develop its workforce; alongside wider ongoing whole system working and service evolution. Our organisation is dynamic, inclusive, values based and multi‑disciplinary; with an ethos that promotes safe, effective, patient‑centred care; and a culture that values, empowers, supports and develops our staff. An exciting opportunity has arisen to join NHS Lothian’s Royal Edinburgh Hospital and Associated Services Senior Leadership Team in a key innovative role as the substantive Director of Psychology. This post has the option of blended remote and onsite working to suit the preferred candidate’s needs. Within Lothian, Psychological Therapies are provided and delivered by the Health and Social Care Partnership. The service has 16 core specialties and some sub‑specialties, covering Adult Mental Health, CAMHS, Older People’s Mental Health, Learning Disabilities, Clinical Health, Addictions, Forensic, Maternity and Neonatal, Perinatal, Physical Rehabilitation, Trauma, Veterans, Staff Support and Wellbeing, and Digital Therapies. The post holder will lead and operationally manage a workforce of 241 staff, including clinical and counselling Psychologists, Clinical Associates, Accredited Therapists, EPPs, Assistant Psychologists, Peer Support Workers, Clinical Trainees and business‑enabling staff. We are looking for a candidate who has significant experience of working in senior leadership roles and is able to evidence excellence in leading others to deliver safe and effective clinical care within Applied Psychology services. The successful candidate will be dynamic and share core values of innovation, creativity, compassion, caring and kindness in all aspects of leadership and patient care and embody these in their day‑to‑day work. This post will take forward and lead the ongoing and collaborative organisational redesign of Applied Psychology Services to manage demand and re‑shape the delivery of Psychological Therapies across Lothian; with the aim to have accessible, flexible and adaptive services from digital delivery through Primary Care to Specialist Mental Health and Acute Psychology Services; with a focus on excellence, innovation and high‑quality care. Services will be developed in keeping with the wider objectives of NHS Lothian and the 4 Health and Social Care Partnerships and will embed service user outcomes and feedback in continuous service improvement. Key responsibilities

Lead and operationally manage a workforce of 241 clinical and non‑clinical staff. Direct organisational redesign of Applied Psychology Services to manage demand and reshape delivery across Lothian. Develop and embed digital and clinical service pathways from primary care to specialist mental health and acute settings. Ensure safe, effective, patient‑centred care across all service components. Represent the service in partnership with the Health and Social Care Partnership and other NHS Scotland Boards. Lead evidence‑based service improvement using service‑user outcomes and feedback. Champion recruitment, retention and development of staff, including management of career pathways. Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory standards, including HCPC registration and safeguarding. Lead training, research, teaching, and innovation collaborations across the organisation.

Required qualifications and experience

Doctorate level (or equivalent) qualification in Clinical or Applied Psychology. HCPC registration. Significant senior leadership experience overseeing large services. Proven ability to lead organisational change and service redesign. Competency in Demand, Capacity, Activity, Queue (DCAQ) modelling and trajectory planning. Experience in a Senior Consultant Psychologist or Head of Specialty managerial role. Strong strategic and operational management skills. Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and influencing abilities. Commitment to NHS values and a culture of diversity and inclusion.

Benefits and opportunities As Director, you will be part of a dynamic service that offers opportunities for research, academic and clinical work (1:1 sessions, group work, specialist streams and consultation). You will also engage in teaching and training through partnerships with the University of Edinburgh, NES and other agencies. Your leadership will shape future pathways for practitioners and will support the development of varied career pathways within the organisation. Application information Prospective applicants are encouraged to make contact with Jillian Torrens, Service Director for REAS at jillian.torrens@nhs.scot and submit your application early, as we anticipate a high level of interest and may close the vacancy early. We will fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long‑term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices. To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigration Service. Further information on what NHS Scotland Boards are required to do to check this as well as what your responsibilities include can be found in the further information for this vacancy. Due to legislative changes from 1 April 2025, this post may require a different level of criminal records check than is currently the case. If the post is assessed as a "regulated role", your appointment will be subject to joining the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. If there is any change to what is currently required, this will be confirmed by either the Hiring Manager or the Recruitment Team. For more details on these changes please visit: Disclosure Scotland Changes. NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

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