Head of Quality Improvement

NHS; Kettering; On-site; GBP 76,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

An NHS trust is seeking a Head of Quality Improvement to spearhead the implementation of the Improving Together strategy. This role focuses on embedding quality improvement practices across the organization, enhancing patient care and operational efficiency. Candidates should possess significant experience in quality improvement within the NHS, alongside a relevant master's qualification.

Qualifications

• Masters level qualification in healthcare management or relevant experience.
• Significant quality improvement experience within the NHS or similar.
• Demonstrated knowledge of QI techniques like Lean and PDSA.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of the Improving Together strategy.
• Establish QI Training Academy for sustainable change.
• Work with stakeholders to promote a culture of continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical Skills

Education

Masters level qualification in healthcare management

Quality improvement qualification

Job description

Job summary

University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group comprises Kettering General Hospital and Northampton General Hospital. With a budget of over £800 million and with over 11,000 staff, we operate two hospitals, several community services, and serve a population of 900,000 people across Northamptonshire.

It is an exciting time to join us as we set out to focus on our three priorities to improve UHN as a place to receive care, to improve UHN as a place to work and to meet our financial targets.

Our UHN 'Improving Together' strategy was approved by Board in Summer 2024 and we have had a successful year one implementing our ambitions around capability building, improvement coaching, building our culture for improvement and developing our ward-based improvement offer.

With the support of our Boards, we have an exciting journey ahead of us, with plenty for an experienced improvement professional to shape, as we work to embed improvement into day-to-day work across UHN and focus on our quality priorities.

This role, the Head of Quality Improvement, reporting directly to the Director of Continuous Improvement, has a crucial role in embedding QI across UHN. The role is crucial for creating and maintaining focus, enthusiasm, and momentum for celebrating successes, sharing best practice, embedding improvement management systems, and helping to create a culture where all people view quality improvement as a core part of their role.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will:

• Lead the strategic development and delivery of the Improving Together strategy
• Lead the strategic development of a "QI Training Academy" to build sustainable capacity/capability for quality improvement and change
• Align to the UHN strategic direction, ensuring the Quality Improvement programmes delivery against agreed objectives
• Work closely with system partners, clinical, operational and corporate service managers to provide leadership, support, advice and coaching for the delivery of quality improvement.
• Ensure appropriate infrastructure for QI to provide internal reporting of progress in line with governance structures and expected protocols.
• Promote a culture and ensuring frameworks exist for promoting a culture of continuous and quality improvement, including establishing digital and non-digital forums for best practice sharing, celebrating successes and developing a learning culture
• Promote and provide leadership for the QI programme with internal and external stakeholders, including Northamptonshire ICS, the East Midlands Improvement network, NHS England and with our patients and the public.

The post holder will provide effective input into the work of UHN, to support the achievement of our vision and values.

About us

University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group is made up of Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust and Kettering General NHS Foundation Trust. Both hospitals are separate hospitals/employers with hospital board and leadership. We share an integrated executive team leading on a shared vision, mission, priorities, strategies and Dedicated to Excellence Values.

Our Excellence values are:

Compassion: We care about our patients and each other. We consistently show kindness and empathy and take the time to imagine ourselves in other peoples shoes.

Accountability: We take responsibility for our decisions our actions and our behaviours. We do what we say we will do when we say we will do it. We acknowledge our mistakes and we learn from them.

Respect: We value each other embrace diversity and make sure everyone feels included. We take the time to listen to appreciate and understand the thoughts beliefs and feelings of others.

Integrity: We are consistently open honest and trustworthy. We can be relied upon we stand by our values and we always strive to do the right thing.

Courage: We dare to take on difficult challenges and try out new things. We find the strength to speak up when it matters and we see potential failure as an opportunity to learn and improve.

Details Date posted

16 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8c

Salary

£76,965 to £88,682 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

264-7152567-COR-A

Job locations

Kettering General Hospital and Northampton General Hospital

Rothwell Road

Kettering

NN16 8UZ

Job description Job responsibilities

For the detailed job description and main responsibilities, please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

For more details on the post, please contact:

Becky Taylor - Director of Continuous Improvement

[e-mail]

or

Cindy Odendaal - EA to Director of Continuous Improvement

[e-mail]

Job description Job responsibilities

For the detailed job description and main responsibilities, please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

For more details on the post, please contact:

Becky Taylor - Director of Continuous Improvement

[e-mail]

or

Cindy Odendaal - EA to Director of Continuous Improvement

[e-mail]

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Masters level qualification in general or healthcare management, or relevant equivalent experience or education.
• Evidence of additional education/training in specialism
• Quality improvement qualification

Experience Essential

• Significant quality improvement experience within the NHS or a comparable large organisation
• Demonstrable quality improvement knowledge of specialist techniques such as QSIR, Lean, PDSA etc. and solid proficiency in the effective application of various QI tools and techniques
• Proven record of delivering quality improvement objectives
• Proven collaborative relationship engagement skills with both internal and external stakeholders at a senior level
• Experience of analysing areas of highly complex and multifaceted activity in relation to current performance to drive opportunities for future improvement
• Experience of leading and motivating teams to deliver to a high standard whilst under pressure
• Experience developing a researched evidence base for quantifying the impact of QI projects

Desirable

• Demonstrated credibility with senior stakeholders within current organisation and with third parties

Skills Essential

• Demonstrable compassionate and respectful leadership style encompassing innovation and energy to support the development of high performing teams and encourage collaborative working.
• Able to receive, process, summarise, interpret and effectively communicate highly complex, sensitive and contentious information
• Effective and adaptable influencing and negotiation skills with senior stakeholders
• Excellent facilitation and presentation skills
• Effective and adaptable interpersonal and motivational strategies

Desirable

• Able to demonstrate a strategic understanding of UHN and the latest NHS strategies

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Masters level qualification in general or healthcare management, or relevant equivalent experience or education.
• Evidence of additional education/training in specialism
• Quality improvement qualification

Experience Essential

• Significant quality improvement experience within the NHS or a comparable large organisation
• Demonstrable quality improvement knowledge of specialist techniques such as QSIR, Lean, PDSA etc. and solid proficiency in the effective application of various QI tools and techniques
• Proven record of delivering quality improvement objectives
• Proven collaborative relationship engagement skills with both internal and external stakeholders at a senior level
• Experience of analysing areas of highly complex and multifaceted activity in relation to current performance to drive opportunities for future improvement
• Experience of leading and motivating teams to deliver to a high standard whilst under pressure
• Experience developing a researched evidence base for quantifying the impact of QI projects

Desirable

• Demonstrated credibility with senior stakeholders within current organisation and with third parties

Skills Essential

• Demonstrable compassionate and respectful leadership style encompassing innovation and energy to support the development of high performing teams and encourage collaborative working.
• Able to receive, process, summarise, interpret and effectively communicate highly complex, sensitive and contentious information
• Effective and adaptable influencing and negotiation skills with senior stakeholders
• Excellent facilitation and presentation skills
• Effective and adaptable interpersonal and motivational strategies

Desirable

• Able to demonstrate a strategic understanding of UHN and the latest NHS strategies

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details Employer name

Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Kettering General Hospital and Northampton General Hospital

Rothwell Road

Kettering

NN16 8UZ

Employer's website

https://www.kgh.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Kettering General Hospital and Northampton General Hospital

Rothwell Road

Kettering

NN16 8UZ

Employer's website

https://www.kgh.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)