Job overview
We are seeking an exceptional, values-driven leader to join our Executive team as Deputy Executive Director of Nursing & Patient Experience.
This is a pivotal role responsible for;
- Leading the strategic direction of nursing and patient experience
- Driving clinical quality, patient safety, and governance
- Delivering Innovative workforce transformation and service resign
- Embedding a culture of compassionate, person-centred care
You will be required to:
- Operate at the most senior level within NHS Wales, influencing national policy and strategy
- Provide visible, inspirational leadership to the nursing and midwifery workforce
- Lead system-wide improvement programmes that deliver measurable impact for patients and communities
We are looking for a leader who:
- Has significant Board-level experience within a complex healthcare system
- Demonstrates a strong track record in quality improvement, workforce transformation, and governance
- Is committed to our values, with a passion for patient experience and staff wellbeing
- Can lead through complexity, ambiguity, and change, with resilience and integrity.
This is an outstanding opportunity to shape the future of nursing and patient experience within Swansea Bay and across NHS Wales.
Main duties of the job
The Deputy Executive Director of Nursing is a senior strategic leader who deputises for the Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery in delivering the Health Board’s corporate, professional, operational and clinical priorities. The post holder leads key portfolios and transformation programmes, providing strategic leadership to support safe, high-quality and person-centred care.
Working across organisational and system boundaries, they collaborate with executive, corporate and operational leaders to drive transformation, improve performance and deliver strategic priorities aligned to population needs.
The role holds corporate accountability for quality governance, assurance and risk, ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, including safeguarding, Duty of Quality, Duty of Candour, Listening to People and Infection Prevention and Control. It provides oversight of patient outcomes and experience, promoting organisational learning and continuous improvement.
Through professional leadership, the post holder supports nursing and midwifery practice, safe staffing, workforce transformation and professional excellence. They optimise resources, champion innovation and foster inclusive leadership that supports staff wellbeing and performance.
As a key member of the senior leadership team, the post holder contributes to corporate decision-making, participates in the Executive on-call (Gold) rota and ensures continuity of executive nursing leadership.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click “Apply now” to view in Trac.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
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.
Welsh language skills are desirable
Person specification
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience in a relevant senior leadership role within an NHS organisation or equivalent, of strategic planning and development.
- Experience of implementation and/or leading a quality management system i.e., the functions of quality control, quality assurance, quality planning and quality improvement.
- Experience in professional regulation, including compliance with Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) standards and guidance.
- Experience of managing complex budgets of leading innovation in practice.
- Experience of working with a diverse range of stakeholders, including external partners and successful track record of influence and engagement.
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential
- Strategically lead organisation-wide nursing and midwifery initiatives aligned to national and local priorities, driving transformational change and workforce development. Creating inclusive, psychologically safe environments, prioritising staff wellbeing and fostering a culture of support.
- Exercise sound clinical and operational decision-making in complex scenarios, with clear evidence of risk management and ethical practice. Can implement robust quality and safety frameworks, achieving measurable improvements in compliance and patient safety.
- Deliver initiatives that demonstrably enhance patient experience, clinical outcomes, and safety standards. Develops senior nursing leaders and advanced practitioners through structured coaching and career progression support.
- Engage effectively at board level, influencing policy and presenting complex information with clarity to diverse stakeholders. Builds multi-professional partnerships across organisational boundaries, improving patient and staff outcomes.
- Interpret data to inform service redesign and quality improvement, achieving measurable outcomes. Successfully navigates high-pressure situations and organisational change with composure and flexibility.
- Adhere to and can demonstrate SBU Values & Behaviours.
Desirable
- Welsh Language Skills are desirable levels 1 to 5 in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing in Welsh.
Qualifications & Knowledge
Essential
- Registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) with appropriate field specific registration
- Masters’ qualification (or evidence of in-depth professional knowledge and equivalent experience).
- Extensive knowledge over a range of disciplines including professional nursing/midwifery agenda, quality governance, NHS Wales Complaints, Incidents and Redress processes, Duty of Quality and Duty of Candour risk management, clinical research and audit, HR, finance, service planning and underpinned by specialist courses or equivalent experience.
- Extensive knowledge and experience of achieving the professional regulatory requirements as set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
- Proven track record of strategic planning and delivery in a complex healthcare environment.
- Postgraduate qualification in healthcare leadership, quality improvement, or clinical governance
Desirable
- Fellowship or membership of a recognised professional body (e.g., FNF, RCN, QNI).
- Coaching qualification.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Deputy Executive Director of Nursing & Patient Experience with Swansea Bay University Health Board in Swansea Bay University Health Board Headquarters. It is listed as a Band 9 Manager and corporate role. The advertised salary is £114,475 - £131,732 per annum pro rata. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 01 Sep 2026.
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