Job requirements
Requirements from the employer’s person specification. These describe the role, not your personal match.
Essential
26 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Knowledge
Knowledge of the regulatory clinical frameworks, including nursing, and experience of managing complex professional regulatory issues
- Knowledge
Knowledge of clinical, including nursing, practice and education policy
- Knowledge
Knowledge of safety systems, including reporting and monitoring systems and associated policies / guidelines.
- Knowledge
Knowledge of quality assurance and improvement methods and their application
- Knowledge
Knowledge of the FT application processes, NHS I compliance regime and quality framework and CQC compliance framework
- Knowledge
Knowledge of adult and child safeguarding
- Knowledge
Knowledge of IPC practice and policy
- Knowledge
Knowledge of how to apply different approaches to change across the health service
- Knowledge
Extensive knowledge of clinical, including nursing, practice and a strong understanding of the concepts which underpin approaches to improving the delivery of compassionate care to patients within health and social systems
- Knowledge
Knowledge of national and international developments in improvement, and large-scale change
- Knowledge
Knowledge of the national compassionate care agenda, and levers for change in the NHS system
- Knowledge
Extensive experience of developing and delivering national strategies
- Knowledge
Experience of leading and managing disparate multidisciplinary staff including virtual and home working employees
- Knowledge
Extensive networks across the NHS
- Knowledge
Extensive experience of developing and successfully implementing regional and or national strategies and initiatives
- Knowledge
Experience of working with local/national politicians and national media, particularly in times of crisis
- Qualifications
Current registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council
- Qualifications
Relevant Master’s degree or equivalent
- Qualifications
Significant senior or Board-level nursing leadership experience within the NHS.
- Qualifications
Extensive knowledge of quality, patient safety, safeguarding, professional regulation and the wider NHS system.
- Qualifications
Proven ability to influence and build effective relationships across organisations, leading system-wide improvement and transformation
- Experience and skills
Significant experience as a senior nurse at board level or equivalent within a provider NHS trust/ foundation trust, SHA, or PCT or an Arm’s length body.
- Experience and skills
Experience of working with regulators
- Experience and skills
High level of understanding of the NHS and care system, political environment and evidence-based approach to decision making
- Experience and skills
Understanding of the political and cultural complexity of the NHS
- Experience and skills
Significant board / senior management level experience in the NHS
Desirable
5 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Qualifications
Management qualification
- Qualifications
Experience across community, mental health, ambulance, or maternity services.
- Qualifications
Experience in education and workforce development.
- Qualifications
Experience leading large-scale change and transformation.
- Experience and skills
Experience or knowledge of training and education
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Nursing and Quality Directorate in the North East and Yorkshire region as Regional Director of Nursing Leadership and Systems.
Reporting to the Regional Chief Nurse, the postholder will provide senior professional leadership across the region, lead key regional and national portfolios, and support quality improvement, assurance, transformation, and system partnership working. The role will also oversee the regional quality framework and support Integrated Care Systems to maintain a clear and consistent focus on quality, safety, and patient experience.
We are seeking an experienced and influential nursing leader with significant senior or Board-level NHS experience, current Nursing and Midwifery Council registration, and a strong understanding of quality, professional regulation and the wider health and care system. Please see the Job Description and Person Specification for further details.
Main duties of the job
Aligned with the region, the Regional Director of Nursing Leadership and Systems will lead at regional level on:
- Regional portfolios
- Supporting Quality Improvement, surveillance and assurance, including safety, safeguarding and patient experience, with providers and commissioners
- Supporting clinical sustainability e.g. transformation
- Professional leadership across providers and commissioners
- System relationships and partnerships
- Driving improvements
The post holder will deputise for the Regional Chief Nurse as required.
As Regional Director of Nursing Leadership and Systems will be expected to use expert knowledge of quality care combined with a robust knowledge of the health and care service working in collaboration with relevant colleagues, they will take the regional leadership responsibilities in one or more of the following areas: clinical and professional leadership for nursing and midwifery staff, patient safety (in conjunction with the Medical Directors), patient experience; and support the delivery of national priorities of NHS England, as well as the relevant national strategies e.g. The 10 year Plan.
The post holder will oversee the quality framework across the region and ensure that Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) have a clear and consistent focus on quality and patient experience.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
You can find further details about the role, including key responsibilities and accountabilities, alongside the organisational structure and person specification in the attached Job Description and other supporting documents.
Secondments
Applicants from within the NHS will be offered on a secondment basis only, agreement should be obtained from their employer prior to submitting the application.
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
WhatsApp job alerts
Get instant WhatsApp alerts for Manager and Corporate roles in Any North East and Yorkshire Region
Create your Job Clerk account first. We'll collect your alert preferences during onboarding and help you turn on WhatsApp notifications for matching healthcare roles.
Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Director of Nursing - Professional & System Development with NHS England in Any North East and Yorkshire Region, England. It is listed as a Director of nursing role. The advertised salary is £100,000 - £113,625 per annum. The contract type is Fixed term: 2 months (until 31/11/2026. Secondment only for NHS employees). The application deadline is 13 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 (28 Aug 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHSjob search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
For more context, review related Job Clerk pages for the same profession, band or location where they exist, then use the application-support guides to tailor your statement and prepare for interview.