Development-oriented head of department for Social Psychiatry

Do you want to lead both a well-functioning residential service and the development of new social offerings?

In the Unit for Substance Abuse and Social Psychiatry in Slagelse Municipality we are seeking an engaged and development-oriented department head who is motivated by leadership, professional quality, and organizational development.

You will be responsible for a well-functioning social-psychiatric residential service with dedicated staff, while also playing a central role in establishing a new social acute care service and new clarification spots. Here you will have a rare opportunity to shape the development of new offerings, workflows and collaborations from idea to operation.

You will become part of a strong leadership community characterized by trust, high professionalism and a shared ambition to create the best possible solutions for citizens.

The position is preferably to be filled on 1 January 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

A leadership role with both operations and development

As department head you will be responsible for the residential service Århusvej, a social-psychiatric offering under the Danish Social Housing Act § 105 and the Social Services Act § 85 with 24-hour staffing.

The residential service has capacity for 12 residents plus one acute place. You will be the nearest manager for a dedicated team of nine employees who work in a recovery-oriented manner with a basis in, among other things, FIT, KRAP and LA2. The methods support the citizens’ well-being, progression and opportunity for active involvement in their own development. For employees, a visible leader who focuses on empowerment, a good and safe working environment and professional sparring is valued.

At the same time you will play a central role in developing new offerings on the premises

• a social acute care service under the Social Services Act § 82 c with one acute place
• three new clarification and assessment places

There is expected reconstruction of the existing buildings during 2027, and the new offerings are expected to be put into operation by late 2027 or early 2028.

You will have the total staff-, professional and budgetary responsibility for all three offerings.

A strong leadership community

The Unit for Substance Abuse and Social Psychiatry consists of a unit head, four department heads and 134 employees.

We operate among other things

• social-psychiatric residential services
• § 85 support teams
• drop-in centers and network houses
• outpatient treatment and day treatment services for citizens with alcohol and substance problems

We work with a targeted focus on high professional quality, citizen involvement and co-creation. Collaboration across the municipality, with civil society and local actors is a natural part of our approach.

In the management team we value trust, openness and shared responsibility for the unit’s development. We actively coach each other and give space for each individual leader to bring in their own competencies and perspectives.

As a leader with us you will be offered, among other things

• four annual supervision programs
• an annual leadership seminar focusing on leadership development
• ongoing professional sparring
• a strong collegial community with a high degree of psychological safety

Professional development is part of the culture

We believe that development, well-being and quality are created through community. Therefore, every year we bring together leaders and employees for joint professional events focusing on both the core task and job satisfaction.

In 2027 we expect to initiate, among other things, a competency development program within neuroaffective development psychology.

About Center for Handicap and Psychiatry

The Unit for Substance Abuse and Social Psychiatry is one of four units in the Center for Handicap and Psychiatry in Slagelse Municipality. The center works in a recovery-oriented manner with a focus on supporting each citizen’s well-being, development and ability to master their own life. The center is led collectively by the Chief of Social Services and five unit heads.

Our work is grounded in Slagelse Municipality’s social strategy, where financial responsibility, strong professionalism and citizen involvement are central guiding principles.

We are looking for a leader who

• has a relevant higher education at least at bachelor level, preferably within the social or health-related field
• has experience with or interest in organizational development and change management
• ideally has a leadership education, for example Diploma in Public Leadership
• has experience from social psychiatry or another specialized social field
• is clear, approachable and motivating in their leadership style
• can create followership through dialogue, involvement and reflection
• sees potential and possibilities in both people and organizations
• works in a trust-based and resource-oriented manner
• has an eye for both professional quality, the working environment, economy and operations
• contributes positively to collaboration and community with energy, commitment and humor

We offer

• a challenging leadership position with the opportunity to influence the development of new social-psychiatric offerings from idea to operation
• a strong and development-oriented leadership team
• professionally competent and engaged employees
• a specialized adult area in development, where there is room for new ideas and courage to lead
• supervision and ongoing leadership development
• a thorough introduction and onboarding program
• salary according to applicable collective agreement and qualifications. Expected salary level is 50,000-55,000 DKK per month

Application deadline

• November 17, 2026 at 12:00

Interviews

• 1st interview expected to be held November 23, 2026
• 2nd interview expected to be held November 26, 2026

Additional information

If you would like to know more about the position, you are welcome to contact

• Unit Manager Mette Plato Spælling on phone 40 42 00 67 or
• Department Manager Karla Hilaire on phone 24 25 39 32.

We look forward to hearing how you can contribute to both daily management and the continued development of social psychiatry in Slagelse Municipality.