Lead Cancer Nurse

Job summary

Lead the future of cancer care across Somerset

This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced and inspirational cancer nursing leader to shape and influence cancer services across Somerset.

As our Lead Cancer Nurse, you will provide strategic and professional leadership for specialist cancer nurses and Allied Health Professionals across the Trust. Working at a senior level, you will play a pivotal role in developing outstanding patient-centred cancer services, improving outcomes, enhancing patient experience, and ensuring our workforce is equipped to meet the growing needs of our communities.

You will work collaboratively with clinical, operational and executive colleagues, leading major service improvements and influencing cancer care delivery across organisational and system boundaries.

Main duties of the job

Reporting to the Associate Director of Patient Care within Clinical Support & Cancer Services, you will:

• Lead the development and delivery of the Trust-wide Cancer Nursing Strategy.
• Provide professional leadership and oversight for specialist cancer nursing teams and AHPs.
• Champion high-quality, patient-centred cancer care across acute and community settings.
• Drive service improvement programmes, quality assurance initiatives and clinical governance activities.
• Lead workforce planning, development and succession planning for cancer nursing services.
• Work closely with regional and national partners, including SWAG Cancer Alliance and Somerset ICB.
• Ensure patient experience and the patient voice remain central to service development and improvement.
• Influence strategic decision-making at Trust, system and regional levels.
• Represent the Trust as a senior cancer nursing leader in regional and national forums.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Details

• Date posted: 01 October 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 8c
• Salary: £79,504 to £91,609 a year
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 184-OL-PU-5993
• Job locations: Trustwide, The Crescent, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4DY, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

The holder of this Trust-wide post will drive the development and delivery of high-quality, patient-centred cancer services, in line with national and local cancer strategies. They will also champion service improvement, workforce development, clinical governance, and patient experience, and work collaboratively within the Trust and with external partners to drive high quality cancer care.

Please see the attached job description and person specification for more details or contact Victoria Keilthy, Service Director for Clinical Support and Cancer Services.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).