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Job overview
We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Nursing to join our Surgery & Therapies Directorate.
The Head of Nursing will work as part of the Directorate's triumvirate management structure alongside the Clinical Director and General Manager to deliver our wide-ranging strategic, quality and transformational objectives.
You will need to have experience of leading nursing and clinical services as well as a proven track record of putting safety, quality and patient experience at the heart of all you do.
The role also supports on the delivery of partnership working across the cancer and surgery Clinical Group to ensure effective pathways and processes are in place to support patients and staff across the Trust.
Main duties of the job
The Head of Nursing works as a full member of the Directorate Management team. This team is led by the Clinical Director, who is a full member of the Trust Management Executive. The post holder is accountable to the Clinical Director and works in partnership with the General Manager to ensure the Directorate delivers on all of its objectives across a range of clinical services. They are responsible for providing the Directorate leadership on a range of issues and initiatives and will deputise for the Clinical Director as required.
The Head of Nursing provides strategic, professional and operational nursing leadership across the Directorate and the wider organisation through effective role modelling. The post holder is accountable for the delivery of high quality, cost effective nursing patient care within budget constraints. The Head of Nursing also provides professional leadership to allied health care professionals within the Directorate.
The core of the job description is generic and will apply to all Directorate Heads of Nursing. However, there will be additional specific responsibilities to reflect the needs of individual or corporate services.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification documents for further details of the role and requirements
Person specification
Skills
Essential
- Able to articulate a clear vision/plan for nursing which will enable the Directorate to meet all of its objectives.
- Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team to solve problems and deliver change
- A comprehensive understanding of the changing NHS environment and the challenges it faces and the role and contribution nurses can make.
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrate a successful track record of delivering effective nursing services as a senior nurse manager responsible for staff management, financial management and change management.
- Experience of managing a large, complex professional workforce and associated budgets.
- Evidence of delivering operational performance across a range of services
- A strong track record of managing complexity and risk whilst maintaining high standards of nursing care.
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse on the NMC register
- Relevant Masters/MBA qualification or equivalent experience.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Head of Nursing - Surgery & Therapies Directorate with Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust in London, London, England. It is listed as a Band 8 Nurse (adult and children) role. The advertised salary is £88,250 - £100,355 p.a. inc. HCA. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 15 Jul 2026.
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