Job overview
We are seeking an exceptional Matron to lead nursing services across ENT, Oral Health, Ophthalmology and Head & Neck Cancer at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. This is a high-profile leadership role responsible for delivering safe, high-quality and compassionate care across a diverse and complex portfolio of services.
You will provide visible, professional leadership to ward, outpatient and specialist teams, including cancer pathways, driving improvements in patient experience, workforce engagement and clinical outcomes. Working closely with Divisional and operational leaders, you will play a key role in service transformation, capacity management and delivery of strategic priorities.
This is an exciting opportunity to shape services across multiple specialties, including a critical cancer pathway, influencing care across inpatient and outpatient settings. We are looking for an inspiring and credible nurse leader who embodies our PRIDE values and is passionate about developing teams, improving standards and delivering outstanding care.
Main duties of the job
As Matron, you will lead and manage nursing services to ensure safe, effective and high-quality care across ENT, Oral Health, Ophthalmology and Head & Neck Cancer services.
Key responsibilities include:
- Providing professional and visible leadership to nursing teams across wards, outpatient areas and cancer pathways
- Ensuring clinical standards, governance and patient safety requirements are consistently met and improved
- Leading workforce planning, performance management and staff development to build high-performing teams
- Working collaboratively with operational and clinical leaders to manage capacity, flow and delivery of elective and cancer services
You will make autonomous decisions such as:
- Taking immediate action to address patient safety or quality concerns, including within cancer pathways
- Making workforce deployment decisions to ensure safe staffing and effective skill mix
- Leading responses to complaints, incidents and performance issues, ensuring learning and improvements are embedded
You will drive service development and contribute to divisional strategy, influencing change, improving patient outcomes and supporting delivery of operational and cancer performance standards.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please view the attached job description for full details of the role and use your supporting statement to confirm how you meet the essential and desirable criteria on the job specification.
Person specification
Skills
Essential
- Effective motivator and communicator
- Good negotiating skills
- Ability to prioritise workload
- Up-to-date knowledge of NHS Policy
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of ongoing professional development
- Evidence of successful management of change
- Evidence of leading and motivating teams
- Evidence of recent research and audit.
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or equivalent
- ENB 998/997 Mentor Preparation programme or equivalent qualification
- RGN Level I
- Management or leadership qualification or equivalent experience
- Evidence of ongoing professional development
Attitude, aptitude
Essential
- Sound leadership/management skills
- Effective role model, demonstrating NNUH’s PRIDE values of People focussed, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence
- Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Matron - Ophthalmology and Head & Neck with Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Norwich, East of England, England. It is listed as a Band 8 Nurse (adult and children) role. The advertised salary is £57,528 - £64,750 per annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 28 Jun 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 (18 Jun 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
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