Director of Nursing | Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Manchester is seeking a Director of Nursing for the Specialist Hospitals Clinical Group. In this role, you will provide strategic leadership and champion quality improvement across services. Ideal candidates will have extensive senior nursing experience, strong clinical leadership skills, and a commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion and professionalism. Join us to make a lasting impact on the future of healthcare in Manchester, ensuring high-quality care for all patients.

Benefits

Opportunities for career development

Inclusive workplace culture

Support for well-being

Qualifications

• Extensive senior nursing experience across complex multi-disciplinary organizations.
• Proven ability to champion quality improvement and patient safety.
• Skilled in implementing national and regional policies.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership and drive a culture of quality improvement.
• Collaborate with nursing and AHP colleagues across the Trust.
• Lead specific programs for the Clinical Group.

Skills

Senior nursing and managerial experience

Effective influencing and negotiation skills

Innovative and compassionate leadership

Ability to lead complex change

Education

Relevant nursing degree

Job description

Join MFT as we seek a Director of Nursing role for Specialist Hospitals Clinical Group. Reporting to the Chief Executive & as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, you’ll provide visible, inspirational & professional leadership to Nurses & AHPs. Working alongside the Trust Chief Nurse, you’ll champion & embed a culture of quality improvement, research & innovation (R&I), ensuring that all services are of high quality now & in the future, with the best care possible provided first time, every time.

In partnership with the Clinical Group Medical Director, you’ll be responsible for providing strong & effective clinical leadership, improving, and sustaining clinical practices & standards across all services, including patient safety, patient experience, and clinical effectiveness, forming part of the overarching responsibility for the delivery of clinical governance & any regulatory and/or statutory requirements pertinent to the service.

It goes without saying at MFT, we foster a culture of inclusion & belonging, providing equal & transparent opportunities for career development & value wellbeing. As the Director of Nursing for Specialist Hospitals Clinical Group, you’ll help drive this culture, so all individuals thrive and feel a sense of belonging.

So, if this sounds like you & you have the skills, expertise & motivation to succeed in this career changing role, we would be delighted to hear from you.

• With extensive senior nursing & managerial experience across acute (or comparatively large and complex multi-disciplinary organisation), you’ll be a self‑motivated, innovative, compassionate & inclusive leader using a positive, strong influencing & coaching style & with an emphasis on high standards of patient care, safety & efficient and effective use of resources.
• With effective influencing and negotiation skills, you’ll work collaboratively with the Trust Chief Nurse & other nursing & AHP colleagues across the Trust, anticipate & interpret national & regional policy for the Clinical Group & lead the implementation of any changes to practice that may be required.
• As a highly motivated, inspirational leader with the drive to deliver a commitment to excellence across all areas. You’ll horizon scan, identify & act upon current & future strategic opportunities for the Clinical Group, ensuring they are aligned with the objectives of MFT as a whole.
• On behalf of the Trust Chief Nurse - MFT, you’ll take the lead on specific programmes or projects across the Trust, working closely with colleagues from other Clinical Groups to ensure effective delivery of the programme’s objectives.
• You’ll ensure that the voices of patients, families & colleagues are always heard & listened to in the development of services & delivery of care, exercising skills of professional curiosity & appropriate challenge.
• The post holder will participate in the Director on call rota.

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe. We are an ambitious organisation, serving over 1 million patients and users annually through our 10 hospitals and extensive community services. With a workforce of 30,000 plus, we are a driving force for innovation, clinical excellence, and system leadership across Greater Manchester.

As a senior leader at MFT, you will shape strategy and transformation at scale, working alongside a diverse, high‑performing executive team. Our £3bn plus turnover and leading‑edge digital infrastructure, including the Hive EPR, enable us to deliver integrated, patient‑centred care and drive continuous improvement.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive, values‑led culture where your expertise, vision, and leadership will directly influence organisational direction and population health outcomes. You will have the opportunity to lead complex change, champion research and innovation, and develop future talent in a supportive, collaborative environment.

Join us to make a lasting impact—on our Trust, our communities, and the future of healthcare.

Diversity Matters

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

This advert closes on Tuesday 6 Jan 2026.