KMPN Head of Quality Risk and Governance | Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust; Ashford; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the United Kingdom is seeking a Head of Quality, Risk and Governance for the Kent and Medway Pathology Network. This role involves overseeing quality assurance, risk management, and establishing governance frameworks across multiple laboratories. Ideal candidates will have strong leadership experience in quality management and be committed to health and safety standards. Flexible working arrangements are available, making this a rewarding opportunity within a respected organization.

Benefits

At least 27 days of annual leave

Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme

Blue Light card eligibility

Qualifications

• Experience in quality management within healthcare settings.
• Proven leadership abilities with management experience.
• Strong knowledge of governance and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality assurance and governance in the pathology network.
• Develop oversight and reporting frameworks for laboratories.
• Manage quality management teams and direct reports.

Job description

Responsibilities

The Kent and Medway Pathology Network Head of Quality, Risk and Governance is a new role that will be responsible for the quality assurance, risk management, and governance within the new Kent and Medway Pathology Network (KMPN) joint venture. They will be held accountable by the network partner Trusts via a joint oversight and governance process. The postholder will support the broader network leadership team to develop a single oversight and reporting framework for the existing pathology laboratories, which currently operate under separate governance processes. This will ensure an effective joint system of quality governance is in place, which fully meets legislative and regulatory requirements. They will also represent health and safety in the network leadership team, ensuring oversight and escalation of health and safety risks, issues, and management.

The post holder will provide leadership and oversight of all aspects of the quality and governance agenda for the Network and will be responsible for ensuring that there is a robust integrated governance, safety and risk management infrastructure in place. They will manage the existing quality management teams, including three direct reports. This role provides an exciting opportunity for an experienced quality management professional to design and lead a new function across a maturing pathology network.

Additional Information

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey. We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.

Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day‑care beds, diagnostic services (X‑ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.

Looking for flexible working? We are a flexible working‑friendly organisation. Whether it’s adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.

Benefits

• At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro‑rate for part‑time staff).
• Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with an employer contribution of 23.7% and life assurance benefits.
• Blue Light card eligibility.
• And more – additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below.

We’ve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.

Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Standard Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children). If a role involves regulated activity and requires a DBS check with a barred list check, you cannot apply if you are on the barred list.

All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.

Working for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust/NKPS you will be part of the Kent and Medway Pathology Network (South 8 Network – Kent and Medway Pathology Network is made up of seven laboratories across three pathology services in four acute Trusts. For more information on the network please see the attached document.

This advert closes on Friday 9 Jan 2026.