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Job overview
The South East Critical Care Strategic Network (CCSN) is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity as Clinical Lead in the Neonatal Operational Delivery Network (hosted within University Hospital Southampton - Division C).
Job Title: Clinical Lead - Neonatal Operational Delivery Network (ODN) South East Start Date: October 2026 Contract Type: Fixed term Duration: 36 Purpose for Fixed Term: Limited Term Project
This post is appointed on a fixed-term basis for the primary purpose of providing structured training and supervised clinical development. While the postholder will contribute to service delivery, the overarching purpose of the post is to provide defined educational opportunities, supervised clinical practice, and experience aligned to the relevant specialty training curriculum
Please see below for detailed job description of the role.
Main duties of the job
Clinical Lead – Neonatal Operational Delivery Network South East – Remote Role for 2PA
Established in 2025/26, the Strategic Network for Critical Care brings together the existing neonatal Operational Delivery Networks across Thames Valley and Wessex (TVW) and Kent, Surrey and Sussex (KSS) into a new, single regional network. This new approach strengthens collaboration, consistency, clinical leadership and system-wide improvement in neonatal care across the region.
The network will support services across both TVW and KSS localities, working in partnership with Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), commissioners, provider organisations, clinical teams and wider system partners. It will deliver core network functions including service delivery, quality improvement, workforce, education, transformation, collaboration, data and intelligence, and population health.
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Neonatal Clinical Lead to provide senior clinical leadership across the South East Neonatal Network. With an initial focus on TVW, this role will be central to shaping and delivering neonatal priorities across both localities and supporting the ongoing development of a single, cohesive regional network.
This is a key leadership opportunity to influence neonatal care at scale, working within a collaborative, clinically led model that promotes partnership, innovation and shared learning, and ensures the delivery of safe, high-quality care for babies and their families.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Provide senior clinical leadership across the South East Neonatal Network, with an initial focus on Thames Valley and Wessex, supporting the delivery of safe, effective, equitable and high-quality neonatal care and ensuring alignment with national, regional and system priorities.
Lead and contribute to the development and delivery of the network workplan, driving quality improvement, service transformation, workforce sustainability, education and training, and reducing unwarranted variation in neonatal outcomes across the region.
Work collaboratively with neonatal clinical teams, provider organisations, ICBs and wider system partners to strengthen clinical engagement, promote best practice and innovation, and support a coordinated, data-informed and population-focused approach to neonatal care across TVW and KSS.
Important Additional Information Relating To Your Employment: All applicants invited to interview will be asked to confirm and agree the following which will be managed through an MOU between the network and the employing trust:
-Employing manager’s approval required to undertake the role -Confirmation of Manager’s Name, title and email address (included on application form) -Please confirm your employing Trust can release you for 1 PA and that this time will be dedicated to the network within your job plan -To confirm that your employing organisation has agreed to your application understanding that reimbursement for Clinical Leads is standardised to employing Trust at the BMA rate of 8-13yrs experience. For 26/27 this is expected to be £16,907 PA, which is the basic rate plus NIC and employer pension contribution. Any other awards or added payments that consultants receive are not included in the reimbursement from NHSE and as such will need to be paid by the employing trust. Individual Clinical Lead salary is unaffected by the standardised reimbursement rate. -Tenure will be for 3 years with a maximum of 2 terms (6 years)
For an overview of the position, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification document. This includes a detailed breakdown of the key responsibilities, role expectations, and the qualifications we are looking for. It outlines the essential criteria for the role and is designed to support you in preparing your application by helping you evaluate how your skills, experience, and professional background align with the requirements of the role.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
This is a hosted post where the network reimburse the current employing trust £16,907 per PA per year for the PAs worked (maximum of 2 PAs) under this role.
The successful candidate will be employed under the terms and conditions of service for Consultants (England) 2003.
Proposed interview date: 11th August 2026 This vacancy closes on or before: 23rd July 2026
Person specification
Living Trust Values
Essential
- Patients First
- Always Improving
- Working Together
Aptitudes and skills
Essential
- Evidence and ability to work effectively in multi-professional teams
- Excellent leadership skills and the ability to build & motivate high performing teams
- Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills including listening skills (verbal and written communication skills in English)
- Understanding of equality and diversity and how this affects patients, visitors and staff
- Strong negotiation, persuasion and influencing skills
- Ability to deal with conflict and challenge
- Ability to manage complex issues where high degree of judgement required
- Ability to think strategically and support the network with transformational change where this is necessary to meet standards
- Research, audit and clinical governance experience
Desirable
- Involvement in regional or national speciality training or curriculum development
Qualifications, Training & Experience
Essential
- MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
- GMC registration with a licence to practise
- Appropriate knowledge base, and Specialist training in relevant area
- Experience working within the specialty at a senior level
- Demonstrable track record of leading change
- Experience of multi-disciplinary teamwork
- Experience working across organisational boundaries in the Health Service achieving collective success and demonstrates listening, respect and learning from the contribution for others
- Knowledge and experience of working in formal clinical networks within the NHS
- Clinical governance and risk management concepts and techniques
- Good understanding of how to use data to improve quality and productivity
Desirable
- Management qualification
- Senior leadership experience in the NHS at Trust level e.g. departmental or divisional lead clinician or GP principal if pathways extend to primary care
- Knowledge of service improvement tools and techniques
- Understanding of commissioning and contracting function and processes
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Clinical Lead - Neonatal Operational Delivery Network (ODN) South East with University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust in Southampton, South East, England. It is listed as a Manager and corporate role. The advertised salary is £16,907.00 pa (exp BMA rate of 8-13yrs experience for 25/26). The contract type is 36 months (Fixed Term). The application deadline is 23 Jul 2026.
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