Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)

NHS; Worcester; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare provider in Worcester seeks a Chief Nursing Officer to lead and influence the future of care. This senior role emphasizes compassionate leadership and quality governance, aiming to improve patient outcomes and promote inclusion. Ideal candidates will have substantial leadership experience and a passion for equity and diverse representation in healthcare. The opportunity offers professional development within a supportive executive team.

Benefits

Mentorship and leadership development

Access to peer support

Qualifications

• Strong clinical foundation with executive or senior leadership experience.
• Passion for improving care and reducing health inequalities.
• Experience managing diverse teams and navigating complex systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead nursing, midwifery, AHP, and clinical scientist communities.
• Accountability for patient safety, infection control, and quality governance.
• Champion inclusive leadership and role model compassionate care.

Skills

Compassionate leadership

Emotional intelligence

Team empowerment

Education

Current professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council

Masters level or equivalent experience

Job description

Job summary

Join Us as Chief Nursing Officer

Lead with Purpose. Inspire with Compassion. Deliver with Impact.

At Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, we are driven by a shared purpose: to help people live healthier, happier lives. As we embark on a bold new chapter in our journey toward inclusive excellence and equity in healthcare, we are inviting a values-led, courageous, and collaborative leader to join our executive team as Chief Nursing Officer.

This is more than a Board-level role. Its a unique opportunity to influence the lives of thousands patients, families, staff, and communities through compassionate leadership and a deep commitment to equity, quality, and inclusion.

We are especially keen to hear from leaders from underrepresented backgrounds in NHS senior leadership, including those from Black, Asian and ethnically diverse communities, disabled leaders, and LGBTQIA+ professionals.

We are committed to creating a Trust where everyone can thrive.

We Offer

• A place for you to be a part of a highly engaged and supportive Executive Team and Trust Board.
• The chance to lead in an environment where your lived experience and leadership style are recognised as assets
• Strong links with partners including the University of Worcester, HWICB, local councils, and our staff networks
• Access to mentorship, leadership development, and peer support
• A Trust actively committed to building diverse, representative leadership at the highest levels

Main duties of the job

Why This Role Matters

As our Chief Nursing Officer, you will shape the future of care and workforce culture across the Trust. You will:

• Lead our nursing, midwifery, allied health professional (AHP), and clinical scientist communities
• Be an executive Board member, with specific accountability for patient safety, infection prevention and control, safeguarding, quality governance, and patient experience
• Champion inclusive leadership and act as a visible role model for compassionate care, allyship, and learning
• Work across systems locally and regionally to align care delivery with the diverse needs of our population

What You will Bring

We are seeking a leader who reflects the communities we serve and embodies our shared values: Being open and honest, Ensuring people feel cared for, Showing respect for everyone. You'll have:

• Professional NMC registration and a strong clinical foundation
• Substantial executive or senior leadership experience in acute care
• A passion for improving care and reducing health inequalities
• Experience working with complexity, change, and diverse teams
• The ability to empower others, challenge constructively, and lead with emotional intelligence

Whether you already hold a Board role or are ready to take that next step, were looking for someone who is grounded in their values, committed to equity, and ready to lead transformation through collaboration

Assessment Day - held onsite 12th Sept for shortlisted applicants Interview Day 26th Sept for those then selected.

About us

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust's purpose is to help people in the communities we care for enjoy healthier, happier lives.

As a significant healthcare provider in our community, we are focused on working in partnership to deliver joined-up services that best meet the needs of our population.

Over the past 12 months, we have been engaging with colleagues across and beyond the Trust to review our strategy for 2025-30, including our purpose, vision, strategic objectives, and values. Making this vision a reality requires inclusive, compassionate, and determined leadership to help our people seize the opportunities and rise to the challenges that the future holds.

With a range of new clinical developments recently completed or underway across our sites, new services coming online, and a raft of exciting digital initiatives rolling out, this is an exciting time to join Team Worcestershire Acute.

We are an inclusive employer. We're proud to be building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We're a Disability Confident Employer, and applications from individuals with lived experience of inequality or discrimination are especially welcome. Adjustments during recruitment will be made wherever possible.

Details Date posted

31 July 2025

Pay scheme

Very senior manager (VSM)

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9365-CNO2025

Job locations

Charles Hastings Way

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 1DD

Job description Job responsibilities

The Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) is responsible for the overall development and leadership of the nursing, midwifery, Allied Health Professions (AHP) and Clinical Psychologist workforce with shared accountability for quality and safety with the Chief Medical Officer; and specific accountability for infection, prevention and control, safeguarding, risk and clinical governance and patient experience and engagement.

Through excellent leadership, the CNO will enable the delivery of high quality of care in line with our vision, strategic objectives and commitment to our shared Values and Behaviours. This means providing the best, safest patient experience and best possible patient outcomes by putting patients first, right across the health and care system.

The post holder will develop a professional culture that supports, recruits, nurtures, develops and retains a compassionate, skilled and flexible workforce. This includes promoting diversity and inclusion in all its forms, role modelling our values and behaviours in action and actively leading continuous clinical and quality improvement.

The post holder will be an executive, voting member of the Board of Directors and report to the Chief Executive.

Please view a full Job Description document uploaded to this advert in Supporting Information or use the link to the Trust's Working for Us pages for more information

Job description Job responsibilities

The Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) is responsible for the overall development and leadership of the nursing, midwifery, Allied Health Professions (AHP) and Clinical Psychologist workforce with shared accountability for quality and safety with the Chief Medical Officer; and specific accountability for infection, prevention and control, safeguarding, risk and clinical governance and patient experience and engagement.

Through excellent leadership, the CNO will enable the delivery of high quality of care in line with our vision, strategic objectives and commitment to our shared Values and Behaviours. This means providing the best, safest patient experience and best possible patient outcomes by putting patients first, right across the health and care system.

The post holder will develop a professional culture that supports, recruits, nurtures, develops and retains a compassionate, skilled and flexible workforce. This includes promoting diversity and inclusion in all its forms, role modelling our values and behaviours in action and actively leading continuous clinical and quality improvement.

The post holder will be an executive, voting member of the Board of Directors and report to the Chief Executive.

Please view a full Job Description document uploaded to this advert in Supporting Information or use the link to the Trust's Working for Us pages for more information

Person Specification Improving Diversity and Inclusive Recruitment Essential

• As part of the Trust's aim to improve diversity across the Trust, positive action is being taken, and all applications for this post from BAME, Disabled and LGBTIA+ candidates can request to be considered under an expanded Guaranteed Assessment Centre Scheme if they meet the minimum criteria as specified in the person specification for this role. Here you can declare if you wish to be considered under this Scheme, and this response would be visible to the Shortlisting Panel.

Qualifications Essential

• Current professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council
• Masters level or equivalent experience
• Evidence of continuous professional and personal development

Experience Essential

• Please provide a covering statement here, setting out how you meet the requirements of the role and the drivers for your application. The Person Specification for this role can be found attached to this advert in the "Supporting Documents" section.

Person Specification Improving Diversity and Inclusive Recruitment Essential

• As part of the Trust's aim to improve diversity across the Trust, positive action is being taken, and all applications for this post from BAME, Disabled and LGBTIA+ candidates can request to be considered under an expanded Guaranteed Assessment Centre Scheme if they meet the minimum criteria as specified in the person specification for this role. Here you can declare if you wish to be considered under this Scheme, and this response would be visible to the Shortlisting Panel.

Qualifications Essential

• Current professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council
• Masters level or equivalent experience
• Evidence of continuous professional and personal development

Experience Essential

• Please provide a covering statement here, setting out how you meet the requirements of the role and the drivers for your application. The Person Specification for this role can be found attached to this advert in the "Supporting Documents" section.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details Employer name

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Charles Hastings Way

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 1DD

Employer's website

https://www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Charles Hastings Way

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 1DD

Employer's website

https://www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)