Regional Chief Nurse

NHS; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A national healthcare organization is seeking a Regional Chief Nurse to lead high-quality nursing services across the East of England. The role involves providing clinical leadership, driving quality governance, and supporting the improvement of patient care. Ideal candidates will have significant experience advising Boards and a strong background in nursing and midwifery.

Qualifications

• Significant experience as the senior nurse advising a Board, with demonstrable impact on patient care.
• Proven clinical and professional leadership for nursing and midwifery staff.
• Strong understanding and experience of quality governance.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional leadership of nursing and non-medical professional expertise across the region.
• Lead on clinical and professional standards for nursing and midwifery across the regional system.
• Drive improvements in commissioning and provision of safe, effective, compassionate care.

Skills

Outstanding interpersonal and relationship-building skills

Ability to influence and collaborate

Education

Relevant Registration (NMC)

Job description

Overview

An exciting opportunity to join the East of England Regional Team within NHS England as the Regional Chief Nurse. This key leadership role is responsible for delivering high-quality nursing and midwifery services for the region’s population, in line with NHS and wider government priorities. You will provide expert clinical and professional leadership across the region and to the Regional Director, supporting commissioners, providers and systems to deliver and commission high-quality care. You will apply expert knowledge of quality care and health and care service delivery, working with the Regional Medical Director to hold regional leadership responsibility for nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals; patient safety; patient experience; safeguarding; infection prevention and control; children & young people; maternity; mental health; learning disabilities and autism; and independent investigations. This is a strategic, outward-facing role requiring deep professional knowledge, excellent judgement and the ability to work across systems and with national stakeholders to improve outcomes.

Key responsibilities

• Provide professional leadership of nursing and non-medical professional expertise across the region.
• Lead on clinical and professional standards for nursing, midwifery, and Allied Health Professionals across the regional system in community, mental health and acute care.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of regional and national operating models and clinical policies.
• Drive improvements in commissioning and provision of safe, effective, compassionate, and person-centred care.
• Lead the regional implementation and delivery of nursing and midwifery strategies.
• Support the delivery of CQC quality improvement plans by providing professional advice on the quality and effectiveness of provider improvement plans and providing direct support where needed through alignment of regional and national improvement support.
• Provide advice to the Regional Director on quality, clinical governance, and risk, in partnership with the Medical Director.

About us

The NHS England board has set out the top-level purpose to lead the NHS in England to deliver high-quality services for all. We aim to enable local systems and providers to improve health, reduce health inequalities, make the NHS a great place to work, ensure the healthcare workforce has the right knowledge, skills and behaviours, optimise digital technology, research and innovation, and deliver value for money.

Details

Date posted: 18 September 2025

Pay scheme: Other

Salary: £100,000 a year (starting from £100,000) - ESM 2

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Location: Flexible across East of England Region; Victoria House, Fulbourn, Cambridgeshire, CB21 5XB

Job responsibilities and requirements

You can find further details about the role, including key responsibilities and accountabilities, in the attached Job Description and other supporting documents.

Person Specification

Qualifications (Essential)

• Relevant Registration (NMC)

Experience and Knowledge (Essential)

• Significant experience as the senior nurse advising a Board, with demonstrable impact on patient care, workforce development and service improvement.
• Proven clinical and professional leadership for nursing and midwifery staff.
• Strong understanding and experience of quality governance, including quality assurance, improvement and oversight.

Skills (Essential)

• Outstanding interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across a wide range of professions and sectors.

Other (Essential)

• Ability to travel across multiple sites as required.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).