Job overview
The Head of CQC Compliance will be the lead and expert in relation to all matters relating to regulatory compliance with the Health and Social Care Act 2002 (Regulated activities) Regulations 2014, monitored and enforced by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). They will provide senior leadership, strategic direction, and expert oversight of CQC regulatory compliance across the Trust.
Head of CQC Compliance will ensure the organisation meets the requirements of the CQC Assessment Framework, delivers evidence-based assurance, and maintains continuous readiness for inspection and will be the Trust's principal relationship manager with the CQC's operational manager.
Main duties of the job
Act as the Trust’s senior subject matter expert for the CQC Assessment Framework, including quality statements, evidence categories, and regulatory processes.
Advise the Board, Executive Team, and Quality Committees on compliance risks, readiness, and regulatory changes.
Be an active core member of the Trust’s ‘quality’ steering groups (patient safety, clinical effectiveness, patient experience) and Clinical Management Board, providing advice, guidance, and support where indicated.
Lead the Trust to ensure services remain inspection-ready at all times.
Manage the planning, coordination, and delivery of all CQC inspections, additional data requests, factual accuracy, and follow-up actions. This will include collation, sense checking, and submission of large quantities of data items requested by the CQC.
Build strong relationships with Divisional Directors, Heads of Nursing, Governance Leads, and operational teams to embed a culture of quality and regulatory compliance
Interpret regulatory changes and ensure timely implementation across the Trust
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached Job description and person specification for full details of roles and responsibilities.
Person specification
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience in quality governance, regulatory compliance, or clinical governance within the NHS.
- Experience working with CQC frameworks and leading regulatory inspections.
- Significant acute operational management experience in a complex organisation
- Knowledge of and experience in using integrated governance and risk processes
- Experience in setting objectives and performance management and holding people to account
Desirable
- Experience in an acute hospital environment.
- Experience of working at Band 8a or equivalent senior leadership level.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Expert knowledge of Health and Social Care Act 2008 Regulated Activities and how they impact on organisational performance.
- Understanding of integrated governance, Care Quality Commission and regulatory processes, audit, and risk management processes.
- Understanding of quality improvement and benchmarking and implementing improvements in practice
Desirable
- Understanding of digital assurance tools, analytics platforms, and quality dashboards.
- Change management and service management processes
Education, Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Master’s degree or equivalent experience
- Evidence of senior-level training in regulation, quality governance or patient safety.
- Leadership/management qualification or equivalent experience.
Desirable
- Clinical or profession registration (e.g., RN, AHP)
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Head of CQC Compliance with Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust in Salisbury, South West, England. It is listed as a Band 8 role. The advertised salary is £57,528 - £64,750 per annum pro rata if part time. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 21 Jul 2026.
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