Senior Lead Nurse

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and values-driven neonatal nurse leader to join the South West Neonatal Operational Delivery Network (ODN) as the Senior Lead Nurse.

We are looking for someone who brings energy, insight and ambition – and who will feel confident evolving the role to reflect their personal strengths and leadership style. This is an influential role within a well‑established and highly respected regional network, offering the successful applicant the chance to shape meaningful change.

As Senior Lead Nurse, you will be a core member of the ODN triumvirate leadership team, working closely with the Network Clinical Director and Network Manager to set strategic direction and deliver a meaningful, region‑wide work programme. You will provide professional nursing leadership across the network and lead a diverse portfolio including quality, safety, workforce, education and personalised care.

Main duties of the job

This is a role with breadth, influence and autonomy. While there are nationally and regionally mandated responsibilities, there is genuine scope for the post holder to collaboratively develop priorities, build relationships and shape ways of working, ensuring the role feels both purposeful and personally rewarding.

What we’re looking for

You will be an experienced neonatal nurse leader with:

• A strong track record of senior clinical and professional leadership
• A collaborative and dynamic leadership style, with confidence working across systems
• Experience of workforce planning, service improvement and quality governance
• The ability to influence, inspire and bring people together around shared goals

You will be motivated by improvement, partnership working and the opportunity to make a difference at scale, while remaining grounded in the values of compassionate, personalised neonatal care.

Why join the South West Neonatal ODN?

• A supportive and collaborative team
• A mature, well‑established network with strong relationships across the region
• The opportunity to work at a strategic level while staying connected to service realities
• Flexibility in how and where you work, recognising the regional nature of the role
• The chance to make tangible change for neonatal services and workforce

The network is hosted by UHBW.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached document for the detailed Job Description.

Please see the attached document for the detailed Person Specification.