Lead for Governance, Quality Assurance and Compliance

NHS; Taunton; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent health organization in Taunton is seeking a Lead for Governance, Quality Assurance, and Compliance in maternity and neonatal services. The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership, ensuring adherence to national quality standards and robust governance frameworks. Key responsibilities include overseeing risk management systems, engaging with stakeholders, and driving quality improvement initiatives. Candidates should be registered nurses or midwives with proven leadership experience in governance, along with strong analytical and communication skills. This position offers a competitive salary and a focus on career development.

Benefits

NHS pension scheme

Flexible working options

Generous annual leave allowance

Career development opportunities

Blue Light Card discounts

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse or Midwife with broad clinical experience.
• Proven leadership in governance, quality assurance, or compliance within maternity services.
• Able to travel off site to meetings and to Community Units.

Responsibilities

• Deliver oversight of quality assurance and governance across services.
• Develop integrated risk management systems.
• Identify areas for quality improvement and lead initiatives.
• Manage allocated budgets and deliver efficiencies.
• Lead monitoring of clinical governance and patient safety activities.

Skills

Leadership in governance

Analytical skills

Decision-making

Communication skills

Influence and negotiation

Education

Master level qualification

Registered Nurse or Midwife

Job description

Job Summary

Lead the Way in Governance, Quality & Compliance!

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an exceptional professional to drive excellence and safeguard standards across our maternity and neonatal services. If you're passionate about quality, compliance, and making a real impact, this is your opportunity to shine.

As Lead for Governance, Quality Assurance and Compliance, you will provide strategic leadership and assurance that perinatal services consistently meet national and local quality standards. This pivotal role ensures robust governance frameworks, risk management, and compliance processes are embedded across maternity and neonatal services. You will work closely with senior leaders, clinicians, and governance teams to champion safety, quality improvement, and regulatory adherence.

What We’re Looking For

• Registered Nurse or Midwife with broad clinical experience.
• Proven leadership in governance, quality assurance, or compliance within maternity services.
• Strong analytical, decision‑making, and communication skills.
• Ability to influence, negotiate, and lead across multidisciplinary teams.

Main Duties

• Strategic Leadership: Deliver oversight of quality assurance and governance across maternity and neonatal services, ensuring compliance with national standards such as CNST MIS, Ockenden recommendations, and Saving Babies’ Lives Care Bundle.
• Governance & Risk: Develop integrated risk management systems, oversee PSIRF processes, and ensure timely investigation and learning from incidents.
• Quality Improvement: Identify areas for improvement, lead projects, and support implementation of best practice.
• Data & Reporting: Analyse qualitative and quantitative data, produce reports for committees, and ensure effective use of digital technology for compliance monitoring.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with internal teams and external bodies including commissioners, quality networks, and regulators.
• Education & Training: Contribute to governance training, support audits, and promote continuous professional development.
• Financial & Resource Management: Manage allocated budgets and deliver efficiencies in line with Trust objectives.

About Us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we’re committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life.
• NHS pension scheme for long‑term financial security.
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax.
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential.

Additionally, you’ll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS‑specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away – and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it’s a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all – the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Details

Date posted: 03 December 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 8b

Salary: £64,455 to £74,896 a year

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full‑time

Reference number: 184‑OL‑GR‑3684

Locations

Musgrove Park Hospital
Musgrove Road
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 5DA

Yeovil District Hospital
Higher Kingston
Yeovil
Somerset
BA21 4AT

Job Responsibilities

• Shape and implement governance, assurance, and compliance frameworks.
• Lead monitoring of clinical governance, effectiveness, and patient safety activities.
• Provide expert advice on quality governance, risk management, and regulatory standards.
• Represent the service at Trust, LMNS, and regional meetings.
• Oversee reporting of incidents, risk registers, audits, and compliance data.
• Drive quality improvement initiatives and embed a learning culture across teams.
• Support responses to CQC inspections and national maternity safety programmes.
• Line‑manage quality and safety teams, ensuring robust performance and development.

Person Specification

Qualifications – Essential

• Registered nurse or midwife.
• Broad clinical experience related to role.
• Master level qualification.

Qualifications – Desirable

• Leadership qualification.

Experience – Essential

• Extensive knowledge of NHS Resolution / Three Year Delivery Plan / Saving Babies Lives standards and other external regulatory organisations for Maternity and Neonatal Services.
• Thorough understanding and knowledge of National and Local NHS and Midwifery agenda.
• Experience working within Quality and Safety within Maternity Services.
• Extensive knowledge and experience of the national drivers for Maternity Services.
• Experience in maternity in clinical leadership / clinical management position.
• Evidence of advanced leadership qualities.

Additional Criteria – Essential

• Able to travel off site to meetings and to Community Units.

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 UK Visas and Immigration website.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer Details

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Musgrove Park Hospital
Musgrove Road
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 5DA

Employer's website: https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/