Job overview
Are you looking for the next opportunity in you leadership journey? This opportunity could give you exposure to working at Band 9 Deputy Director of Nursing in Children and Young People (CYP) and in Adult settings, alongside a Deputy Director of Nursing and Midwifery in the Specialist Hospitals Clinical Group (SHCG) at Manchester University Hospital Foundation Trust (MFT). The Deputy Director role forms part of the trimumvarate leadership across two hospitals (Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and Manchester Royal Eye Hospital) in the Specialist Hospitals Clinical Group, alongside the hospital Medical Directors and the Deputy Director for Performance and Operations.
Applicants who are working at Agenda for Change Band 8d and are ready to progress to Band 9 will be considered. This is a pivotal role within the SHCG structure, designed to strengthen strategic nursing and allied health professional (AHP), leadership, champion clinical quality and drive continuous improvement.
Main duties of the job
Provide professional and strategic leadership across a multi professional workforce.
Lead on quality compliance, safety and patient experience, embedding governance and assurance at all levels.
Support the 'One MFT' clinical leadership approach by working collaboratively with senior medical, operational and corporate colleagues.
Act as a key decision maker and trusted deputy to the Clinical Group Director of Nursing.
Champion innovation, research, workforce development, and digital transformation.
Who should apply:
We are seeking experienced leaders currently working at Band 8d who:
- Have a proven track record of delivering high standards of governance, safety and service improvement.
- Demonstrate inclusive, compassionate leadership and an ability to inspire high performing teams.
- Are ready to contribute to system level priorities and shape the future of nursing and AHP leadership within a leading NHS organisation.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the ‘Supporting Documents’ heading.
Explore ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place’
To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place. This welcoming one‑stop hub gives you a real sense of who we are — what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. You’ll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.
To access ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the ‘Supporting Documents’ section and once opened, you can where either scan QR code or click on the link provided.
Closing vacancy listings early
We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.
Diversity Matters MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU—for our patients, our communities, and each other. As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application—especially personal statements and responses to role-specific questions—is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.
Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Person specification
Knowledge
Essential
- A clear appreciation of the context of acute healthcare provision within the modern NHS and understanding of the NHS Operating Framework.
- A strong understanding of national NHS policy and strategy as it relates to nursing staff, AHPs and broader clinical workforce, as well as current professional challenges.
- Extensive knowledge of clinical governance systems and risk management.
- Understanding of regulation and preparedness.
Desirable
- A strong understanding of how MFT fits into the wider health and social care system.
Attributes
Essential
- Able to actively engage with front -line staff in order to innovate clinical practice and improve both workforce and patient care experience.
- Able to manage different projects simultaneously with a high degree of autonomy in terms of decision -making 10 and management of deadlines.
- Able to adapt to changing priorities, problem solve and re-focus the work of self and others on new priority areas that may require urgent action.
- Can constructively challenge and effectively manage conflict to reach a positive conclusion.
- High level of personal resilience and ability to work and remain calm in a highpressure and/or challenging environment.
- A commitment to personal development and the development of colleagues, with the ability to develop a culture in which all individuals can thrive and feel a sense of belonging.
- Passionate commitment to embedding equality, diversity and inclusivity, internally and externally.
- Willingness and ability to travel between MFT’s sites as required.
Qualifications
Essential
- First level registration (RN Child or equivalent).
- Recent and significant experience in a paediatric setting.
- Educated to degree level or equivalent.
- Masters-level degree in health-related subject or equivalent.
- Evidence of recent and relevant continuous professional development.
Desirable
- Doctorate level degree in health related subject
- Formal management or leadership qualification
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Outstanding personal impact. Highly developed interpersonal, networking, advocacy, written and presentation skills that are persuasive and influential and develop relationships that inspire respect, trust and confidence.
- Ability to lead and work in a multi -disciplinary team, motivating others to secure continuous service improvement and successful outcomes.
- Highly developed analytical skills with the ability to think and act strategically, tactically and creatively, while maintaining a clear view of the issues affecting the Clinical Group and MFT
- Ability to translate a strategic vision into operation action, to communicate those objectives and ensure they are adhered to.
- Ability to deal positively and promptly with colleagues’ concerns and personal problems, challenge colleagues on any inappropriate behaviours or poor performance and investigate and deal with complaints as required.
- Ability to encourage multi - disciplinary professional working and problem solving
- A high level of political awareness.
Desirable
- A successful track record of delivering a long-term vision whilst responding to shortterm challenges and opportunities and defining clinical strategies in a senior level nursing role.
Training and Experience
Essential
- Extensive senior level nursing/AHP leadership and managerial experience within an acute NHS Trust (or comparatively large and complex multi-disciplinary organisation).
- Extensive senior level nursing/AHP experience as a clinical practitioner.
- Extensive experience of leading and directing change and quality improvement in clinical practice, with evidence of successful outcomes and improvements in patient experience.
- Experience of developing and implementing transformation programmes, including the management of service change, operational process improvement and cost reduction
- A successful track record of developing an organisational culture committed to high quality, people, financial and performance standards
- Demonstrable success in building, developing and inspiring high performing multi-disciplinary teams, increasing staff engagement and innovation, and motivation to improve performance.
- Evidence of communicating successfully and working effectively in co-operation with a wide range of internal and external bodies, including statutory and nonstatutory organisations, senior managers, colleagues and their representatives
- Evidence of undertaking clinical audit and contributing to research programmes / studies and quality improvement.
Desirable
- A successful track record of delivering a long-term vision whilst responding to shortterm challenges and opportunities and defining clinical strategies in a senior level nursing role
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Clinical Group Deputy Director of Nursing (RMCH/MREH) SHCG with Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust in ORC. It is listed as a Band 9 Manager and corporate role. The advertised salary is £112,782 - £129,783 per annum, pro rata. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 01 Sep 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (25 Aug 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
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