About this role
Job summary
We are seeking an exceptional, compassionate and credible senior leader to join our Womens Health senior leadership team as Head of Womens Health Governance and Assurance. This is a pivotal role with the influence and authority to strengthen safety, quality, learning and assurance across maternity and gynaecology, while working closely with neonatal colleagues to support a joined-up perinatal approach.
Maternity and neonatal services are operating in a period of unprecedented national scrutiny and reform. The expectations arising from recent independent reviews, the NHS Maternity and Neonatal 10 Point Plan, Care Quality Commission oversight and the Maternity (Perinatal) Incentive Scheme require visible leadership, robust evidence, rapid learning and clear Board assurance. The postholder will be central to ensuring that our services meet these standards, respond confidently to external review and, most importantly, translate learning into safer, equitable and consistently high-quality care for women, babies and families.
Main duties of the job
To provide leadership to the staff, functions and services managed and be accountable to the Director of Midwifery and Gynaecology. The post-holder works in strategic partnership with the Director of Midwifery and Gynaecology providing expert governance leadership on the strategic quality governance development in the division. To act as the divisional lead for the development, co-ordination and implementation of effective quality governance framework within the maternity and gynaecology service to ensure an integrated approach to patient safety and embedding a safety culture and early escalation of risks and issues.
This will include an approach to quality and safety, risk management and the patient experience and will include a specific remit to ensure robust processes are in place to meet the services requirements for providing excellence in the delivery of care. To have a responsibility for the line management and performance of the Maternity, Risk and Gynaecology governance teams and associated budgets ensuring appropriate resource planning. The post holder will be responsible for budget setting, cost improvement planning, and financial control for governance, training and associated functions. Work closely with the Deputy Director of Midwifery, the quadrumvirate, and senior leadership teams to ensure the smooth and effective management of the maternity and gynaecology quality Governance framework
About us
The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wave; a national programme thats changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector.
This means were working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives.
Were a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.
Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Head of Womens Health Governance and Assurance
Band 8c | Full-time | The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust
Working in close partnership with the Director of Midwifery and Gynaecology, Deputy Director of Midwifery, operational leaders, obstetric, neonatal and gynaecology medical teams, and corporate governance colleagues, you will provide strategic leadership for clinical governance, risk, patient safety, regulatory compliance and quality assurance. You will ensure that intelligence from incidents, complaints, claims, audit, outcomes and feedback is triangulated, acted upon and reported clearly through divisional, executive and Board governance routes.
The role also holds a significant education and training portfolio. You will lead the maternity education function, oversee delivery of the Core Competency Framework and multidisciplinary training requirements, and ensure that learning from reviews, investigations, audit and clinical practice directly informs workforce development. You will create the conditions in which staff are supported to learn, speak up and deliver evidence-based care.
What you will bring
- Current NMC registration as a midwife and substantial senior leadership experience in maternity services.
- Expert knowledge of maternity and perinatal governance, patient safety, risk management, regulation and national standards.
- A strong record of leading improvement, investigation, assurance and organisational learning across multidisciplinary services.
- The ability to interpret complex information, identify emerging risk and provide clear, credible assurance to senior leaders and the Board.
- Inclusive, compassionate and courageous leadership, with the confidence to challenge constructively and build effective partnerships.
- Experience of leading education and training, translating learning into sustainable improvements in practice.
This is an opportunity to shape the governance, assurance and learning infrastructure of Womens Health at a critical point in the national maternity and neonatal improvement journey. If you are a values-led leader who combines strategic insight with disciplined delivery, and you are committed to listening to women, families and staff, we would welcome your application.
Informal enquiries are welcomed. Please contact the Deputy Director of Midwifery and Gynaecology Katy Kay [email protected] , or current post-holder Emma Rose [email protected] to discuss the role and our ambitions for the service.
Please be aware of these dates if you are considering applying:
3 November 2026 Advert closes
18 November 2026 Interviews
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Midwife
- Completion of teaching and assessing programme
- Evidence of post registration study up to 1st degree level
- Educated, or working towards, to Masters Degree level or equivalent experience in Nursing/Midwifery
- Extensive involvement in Risk Management processes and incident investigation
- Attended a Clinical Leadership Programme
- Incident Investigation/ Patient Safety Investigation Training
- Understanding of the context and objectives of current healthcare policy for maternity services
Desirable
- Registered Nurse
- Training in risk assessment
- Experience in a similar previous role
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of continued professional development
- Clinical experience at a senior midwifery post (Band 8a and above)
- Experience in risk management process in relation to incidents
- Involvement in recruitment and selection
- Demonstrable experience in project management in maternity services
- Ability to collate and analyse statistical and qualitative information
- Experience of implementing change projects
- Experience of working within a team and alone under minimal supervision
- Experience in setting objectives and performance management and holding people to account
- Experience of working with patients/service/stakeholders to improve quality of service
- Ability to support a range of staff nd quality/clinical services/ professional activity
- Demonstrates commitment to improving the quality of patient care
- Knowledge of the components of governance, risk management, and assurance function; current NHS national policies, standards, requirements and directions that relate to measuring and improving the quality and safety of patient care.
Desirable
- Ward manager or deputy experience
- Active involvement in audit cycle
- Involvement in investigations regarding complaints and staff performance issues and other HR issues
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name
The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust
Address
The Princess Alexandra Hospital
Harlow
Essex
CM20 1QX
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.pah.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)