Deputy Executive Director of Nursing

NHS; St Asaph; Remote; GBP 111,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) in North Wales is seeking a Deputy Executive Director of Nursing to provide strategic, compassionate leadership across acute and community services. The role is based in St Asaph with travel across the Health Board, delivering on quality, safety and patient experience.

You will lead robust nursing teams, drive service improvements, and collaborate with executive colleagues to shape future healthcare delivery for a population of around 700,000.

Qualifications

• Registered General Nurse with current registration
• First degree or equivalent professional knowledge
• Evidence of Continuous Professional development
• Experience in leading nursing teams and managing multi-disciplinary services

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire nursing teams to deliver outstanding patient care, safety and experience.
• Support Executive Director of Nursing in setting strategic direction and priorities.
• Drive quality improvement, innovation and service transformation across North Wales.
• Provide professional leadership on nursing, workforce, governance and patient safety.
• Oversee governance frameworks and risk management; develop a skilled, engaged nursing workforce.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Change management

Education

Nursing degree

Degree or equivalent

Job description

Employer Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board Employer type NHS Site To be based in Head Office in St Asaph, with travel across the Health Board Town St Asaph Salary £122,796 per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 23/11/2026 23:59

If you relish a challenge, have a passion to help others or simply fancy a fresh start, then Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) North Wales, has all the right ingredients. The largest health organisation in Wales, providing a full range of primary, community, mental health, acute and elective hospital services for a population of around 700,000, across North Wales . Join our team and get the support you need, in line with our Organisational Values and ‘Proud to Lead’ competence framework.

The organisation is currently undertaking a comprehensive operating model review and change programme to ensure we are best positioned for the future, creating exciting opportunities to shape how we work and deliver for the people of North Wales.

Enjoy being part of working with engaged leadership at all levels, and be assured we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and are proud to welcome applicants under the “Disability Confident Employer” scheme. We also offer a number of family-friendly benefits, including work-life balance policies.

Please check your email account regularly. Successful applicants will receive all recruitment related correspondence via the email account registered on the application form.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh. Applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Job overview

This is an exceptional opportunity for an inspirational nursing leader to influence healthcare at scale, shaping strategy, driving innovation and leading improvements that make a real difference to patients, staff and communities across North Wales. Working at the heart of the organisation, you will help create a culture where quality, safety and compassion are at the centre of everything we do.

Main duties of the job

As Deputy Executive Director of Nursing, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of healthcare services across North Wales, providing visible, compassionate and strategic leadership to our nursing workforce. You will:

• Lead and inspire nursing teams across the Health Board to deliver outstanding patient care, safety and experience.
• Support the Executive Director of Nursing & Midwifery in setting strategic direction and delivering key organisational priorities.
• Drive quality improvement, innovation and service transformation to improve outcomes for patients and communities.
• Provide professional leadership and expert advice on nursing, workforce, governance and patient safety matters.
• Lead the development of a skilled, engaged and future-focused nursing workforce through talent, education and leadership programmes.
• Oversee quality, performance and governance frameworks, ensuring services consistently meet the highest standards of care.

Working for our organisation

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) is the largest integrated health provider in Wales, delivering a full range of acute, community, mental health and primary care services to a population of more than 700,000 people across North Wales. With a £2.1bn budget, a workforce of over 21,000 dedicated colleagues and services spanning three acute hospitals, multiple community sites and extensive community‑based teams, we play a pivotal role in improving health and wellbeing across a geographically and culturally diverse region.

We are making significant progress in our improvement journey, using the escalated status of Special Measures as an opportunity to deliver great things for our people. Our leaders and partners have embraced partnership working to advance change, and we are now focused on stabilising our organisation further, rebuilding trust, and developing a culture rooted in learning, openness, and continuous improvement. Our development has been recognised, but we know there is more to do. We are committed, ambitious and determined to build the foundations for a future Health Board that consistently delivers high‑quality, compassionate care.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Candidates are encouraged to refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further information.

Qualifications

• Registered General Nurse
• First degree or equivalent professional, expert / specialist knowledge
• Evidence of Continuous Professional development
• In depth professional specialist knowledge and experience of managing a number of disciplines acquired through training and experience over a significant period

Experience

• In depth professional knowledge of nursing performance and staff management acquired through training and experience over extended period
• Extensive and varied experience based on working in a strategic nursing role of Deputy Chief Nurse level with a track record of achievement
• Extensive senior managerial and proven experience of budgetary and staff management across several services
• Considerable experience of working at, or just below, Board level
• Considerable experience and highly developed clinical skills which are used in the day to day management in an acute hospital setting
• Evidence of managing resources in a complex environment
• Ability to think, plan and deliver strategically
• Complaints management and experience of the litigation process
• Extensive experience of effective partnership / multi agency / cross agency working in support of local and national strategy
• Extensive experience of developing and preparing complex strategic & operational plans
• Extensive experience of leading and successfully implementing service improvement / redesign programmes in a multi-disciplinary environment / across a range of services
• Developing and delivering governance systems including management and mitigation of risk
• Extensive experience of effective patient / public /customer involvement
• Extensive experience of implementing quality systems and benchmarking
• Extensive experience of policy development and implementation across a range of services
• Has significant experience and knowledge at a senior management level in a complex service organisation
• Demonstrable experience of collaborative or facilitative approaches to effective partnership working with other public, private and voluntary sector organisations at a senior level

Knowledge

• Demonstrates a broad understanding of the key determinants of health and healthcare
• Expert knowledge of the current nursing and health agenda, NHS policy and other key policy drivers
• Demonstrates an in depth knowledge of infection prevention, nutrition, spiritual care and all aspects of facilities management
• Knowledge of Standards for Healthcare Services as they relate to Nursing, Patient Services and infection Prevention and Control
• Up to date knowledge of nursing management theory
• Clear understanding of the concept and working arrangements of diverse clinical areas
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of clinical pathways
• Detailed knowledge of all aspects of research methodology and can demonstrate how research has influenced their practice

Skills

• Significant Clinical Skills with the competency to use evidenced based practice in terms of managing safe clinical services
• Advanced decision making skills
• Ability to undertake research to ensure evidence based service development
• Ability to analyse complex clinical issues/problems, identify necessary action and make recommendations and follow these through
• Proven ability to work across organisational boundaries, develop networks and alliances, project a vision and obtain ownership and commitment from stakeholders
• Ability to use motivational, negotiating and reassurance skills to overcome any barriers to understanding.
• Ability to demonstrate vision and direction
• Highly developed verbal communication skills i.e. Able to demonstrate effective engagement and provision of information of a highly technical, highly complex, highly sensitive nature in an understandable format to all stakeholders Can demonstrate emotional leadership skills in complex situations and apply these appropriately
• Highly developed written communications skills
• Good organisational skills
• Highly developed keyboard and computer skills, with working knowledge of databases, spreadsheets and presentation packages
• Highly developed leadership and influencing skills with the ability to enthuse, motivate and involve individuals and teams and have them understand the Health Board’s and your performance expectations

Personal Qualities

• Demonstrate the ability to work under pressure whilst supporting and getting the most out of staff
• High level of organisation, self-motivation and flexibility in approach and attitude
• Strong sense of commitment to openness, honesty and integrity in undertaking the leadership role
• Ability and experience of working at a very senior level with a multi professional group of staff
• Demonstrable political judgment and astuteness in understanding and working with complex policy and diverse interest groups, and common sense in knowing when to brief ‘up the line’

Other

• Committed to a culture of continuous improvement and development- underpinned by open communications and team working
• A strategic focus
• A completer finisher
• Resilience and drive
• Personal and professional integrity and confidence
• Self-motivated, proactive and innovative
• Flexible and adaptable
• Able to travel across sites and Wales / UK as required
• Substantial personal & professional confidence & credibility
• Resourceful
• Able to demonstrate an understanding of the political environment within which the NHS operates
• Ability to focus on the future & the need for service improvement

To work in the UK, all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship to obtain either a Health and Care visa or Skilled Worker visa , unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply should self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship by visiting Work in the UK . If you are eligible for the Health and Care visa, application costs are lower and you do not need to pay the annual Immigration Health Surcharge.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.