Divisional Director of Nursing

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust; Birtley; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust in the United Kingdom is seeking a Divisional Director of Nursing to lead the Family, Diagnostics and Community Division. The post holder will provide strategic nursing leadership, drive quality, safety, patient experience and workforce development, and collaborate with medical, midwifery and operational colleagues to deliver division objectives.

You will ensure robust clinical governance, risk management and continuous improvement, with a focus on

Qualifications

• Qualified NMC registered nurse or midwife with current registration.
• Masters level or higher degree in nursing, management, leadership or equivalent experience.
• Extensive experience with a proven track record of quality improvements, innovation and safety improvements at senior management level.
• Active CPD to improve and update specialist knowledge.
• Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development in leadership.

Responsibilities

• Provide visible senior nursing leadership across the Family, Diagnostics and Community Division.
• Set and maintain expectations for high-quality, compassionate and patient-centred care.
• Lead the divisional nursing contribution to patient safety, clinical governance, risk and quality improvement.
• Ensure effective oversight of incidents, complaints, risks and learning, with escalation as needed.
• Lead nursing workforce planning, recruitment, retention and development; champion wellbeing and professional development.
• Work with operational and medical colleagues to improve clinical performance, productivity and patient flow; support transformation and service redesign.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Nursing management

Staff development

Governance

Education

Masters degree in nursing/ management/ leadership

NMC registration

Leadership qualification / CPD

Job description

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

Divisional Director of Nursing

The closing date is 11 November 2026

The Divisional Director of Nursing provides strategic and professional nursing leadership for the Family, Diagnostics and Community Division, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective, compassionate and patient-centred care. The postholder leads the divisional quality, safety, patient experience and nursing workforce agenda, working collaboratively with medical, midwifery, AHP and operational colleagues to deliver the division's strategic, operational, workforce and financial objectives. They provide visible leadership to senior nursing teams, drive continuous improvement and transformation, and ensure robust clinical governance, risk management and learning across divisional services.

Main duties of the job

Main dutiesProfessional nursing leadershipProvide visible senior nursing leadership across the Family, Diagnostics and Community Division.Set and maintain expectations for high-quality, compassionate and patient-centred care.Provide professional leadership and support to Heads of Nursing, matrons and senior clinical leaders.Quality, patient safety and governanceLead the divisional nursing contribution to patient safety, clinical governance, risk and quality improvement.Ensure effective oversight of incidents, complaints, risks and learning, with appropriate escalation.Maintain focus on dignity, respect, patient experience and safe standards of care.Ensure compliance with statutory regulations, Trust polices and governance arrangementsWorkforce and cultureLead nursing workforce planning, recruitment, retention and development.Champion staff wellbeing, compassionate and inclusive leadership, and professional development.Build leadership capability and support succession planning across nursing teams.Performance and improvementWork with operational and medical colleagues to improve clinical performance, productivity, quality and patient flow.Support transformation and service redesign across family, diagnostic and community pathways.Use quality, workforce, performance and patient-experience information to identify areas requiring improvement.Strategic leadership

About us

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wave; a national programme thats changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector.This means were working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives.Were a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.

Job responsibilities

The Divisional Director of Nursing provides strategic and professional nursing leadership for the Family, Diagnostics and Community Division, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective, compassionate and patient-centred care. The postholder leads the divisional quality, safety, patient experience and nursing workforce agenda, working collaboratively with medical, midwifery, AHP and operational colleagues to deliver the division's strategic, operational, workforce and financial objectives. They provide visible leadership to senior nursing teams, drive continuous improvement and transformation, and ensure robust clinical governance, risk management and learning across divisional services.

Professional nursing leadership

Quality, patient safety and governance

Lead the divisional nursing contribution to patient safety, clinical governance, risk and quality improvement. Ensure effective oversight of incidents, complaints, risks and learning, with appropriate escalation. Maintain focus on dignity, respect, patient experience and safe standards of care.

Ensure compliance with statutory regulations, Trust polices and governance arrangements

Workforce and culture

Lead nursing workforce planning, recruitment, retention and development. Champion staff wellbeing, compassionate and inclusive leadership, and professional development.

Build leadership capability and support succession planning across nursing teams.

Performance and improvement

Work with operational and medical colleagues to improve clinical performance, productivity, quality and patient flow. Support transformation and service redesign across family, diagnostic and community pathways. Use quality, workforce, performance and patient-experience information to identify areas requiring improvement.

Strategic leadership

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NMC Registered Nurse/ Midwife
• Educated to Masters level or higher degree in nursing/ management/ leadership/ midwifery, or equivalent experience
• Extensive experience and evidence of a proven track record of quality improvements, innovation and safety improvements at senior management level
• Participation in Continuing Professional Development to improve and update specialist knowledge
• Active NMC registration Part 1 Teaching/ Assessing Qualification or equivalent
• An accredited qualification in leadership or currently undertaking a programme

Experience

• Extensive experience in a senior management role within the health and social care sector
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and complex projects effectively
• Expertise required to lead the specialist portfolio
• A strong understanding of current health legislation, policy frameworks, and best practice
• Evidence of garnering respect of nursing/ AHPs and medical colleagues
• Experience of managing complex services and teams
• Detailed understanding and experience of managing within an acute hospital
• Promote and sustain a culture of safe and high-quality care
• Proven ability to manage change, service activity and development within complex organisations
• Ability to interpret national and local policy drivers that are relevant to the acute Trust
• Successful identification and delivery of cost improvement programmes
• Experience of planning and implementing long-term strategy
• Experience of managing budgets
• Experience representing services to external bodies
• Detailed knowledge of Clinical Governance and Risk Management
• Involvement in investigations regarding complaints and staff performance issues

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.

Employer name

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust