Managing Director - Healthcare North

Helping others improve and turn their lives around – there’s no better feeling. It’s what we do for thousands of people at more than 150 sites across the UK. Be a part of it.

Location: North of England (with regular travel across the region) Salary: Competitive Executive Package + Car Allowance + Bonus + Benefits

Join Cygnet and Lead the Future of Healthcare

At Cygnet, our purpose is simple: to provide outstanding care and support to those in our services, helping them achieve their goals and live as independently as possible.

We are seeking an exceptional Managing Director, Healthcare North to provide strategic and operational leadership across a significant portfolio of mental health hospitals and specialist healthcare services. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, Healthcare, this is a high‑profile executive leadership role with responsibility for quality, safety, operational performance, financial sustainability and future growth across the division. This is an outstanding opportunity for a visionary healthcare leader with the ability to inspire teams, drive performance and deliver exceptional outcomes for patients, colleagues and stakeholders.

About the Role

As Managing Director, you will lead a diverse portfolio of healthcare services across the Midlands, Wales, North of England and Scotland, ensuring the delivery of safe, high‑quality care while achieving commercial and operational objectives. Working closely with Operations Directors, clinical leaders and corporate functions, you will shape and deliver the division's strategic direction, champion a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, and support the long‑term growth of the healthcare business. You will be a visible leader across the organisation, ensuring our services continue to provide the highest standards of patient care while responding effectively to the opportunities and challenges of a complex and highly regulated healthcare environment.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Develop and deliver the strategic direction for the Healthcare North division. Translate organisational priorities into clear plans and measurable outcomes. Identify opportunities to strengthen services, expand market presence and support sustainable growth. Contribute to the wider development of Cygnet's healthcare strategy as a member of the senior leadership community.

Operational Excellence

Lead operational performance across a portfolio of services, ensuring delivery of key quality, people and financial objectives. Develop and empower Operations Directors to deliver outstanding performance. Drive improvements in occupancy, workforce productivity, operational efficiency and patient flow. Ensure robust governance and performance management frameworks are in place across the division.

Quality, Safety and Clinical Governance

Maintain an unwavering focus on patient safety, quality of care and patient experience. Work collaboratively with clinical and quality leaders to ensure the highest standards of governance. Ensure services consistently meet regulatory and compliance requirements. Foster a culture where learning, transparency and continuous improvement are embedded throughout the division.

Financial and Commercial Leadership

Hold full divisional P&L accountability. Deliver sustainable financial performance through effective operational management and commercial decision‑making. Partner with finance and commercial teams to identify opportunities for growth and optimisation. Balance financial performance with investment in quality and service development.

People Leadership

Create a high‑performing, inclusive and values‑led culture. Attract, develop and retain exceptional operational and clinical leaders. Support succession planning and leadership development across the division. Champion colleague engagement, wellbeing and professional growth.

Growth and External Relationships

Support the development of new services and expansion opportunities. Build strong relationships with commissioners, NHS partners, regulators and key stakeholders. Use market intelligence and industry insight to inform strategic decisions.

About You

To succeed in this role, you will be an experienced senior healthcare leader with a track record of delivering exceptional results across complex, multi‑site environments. You will bring: Significant senior leadership experience within healthcare, mental health services or another highly regulated care environment. Experience operating at regional, divisional or executive level. Proven success leading senior operational teams across multiple sites. Strong commercial awareness and experience of full P&L accountability. A demonstrable record of improving operational and financial performance. Excellent understanding of healthcare quality, governance and regulatory requirements. Experience leading complex change and transformation programmes. Outstanding stakeholder management and influencing skills. The ability to combine strategic thinking with hands‑on operational leadership. A visible, authentic and values‑driven leadership style. Desirable Experience within CQC‑regulated services. Experience leading service development, expansion or growth programmes. Experience of acquisitions, integration or transformation projects. Clinical or healthcare professional background.

What We Are Looking For

• Thinks strategically while remaining connected to operational reality.
• Builds high‑performing teams through trust, empowerment and accountability.
• Makes courageous decisions and leads through complexity.
• Uses insight and data to drive improvement.
• Balances commercial performance with exceptional patient care.
• Inspires colleagues through visible and authentic leadership.
• Is passionate about improving healthcare services and patient outcomes.

Why Cygnet?

At Cygnet, you'll join an organisation with a strong reputation for delivering high‑quality healthcare services and a clear ambition for continued growth.

In return, we offer:

• Competitive executive remuneration package.
• Annual bonus opportunity.
• Car allowance.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Life assurance.
• Health and wellbeing benefits.
• Employee discount programme.
• Excellent career development opportunities.
• The opportunity to shape the future of healthcare delivery across a major division.

At Cygnet, we’ve been changing people’s lives for more than 30 years – thanks to our wide range of high‑quality health services. Our care has our patients and residents at its heart and their wellness as its goal. We’re always set on positive, lasting outcomes.