About this role
Job summary
The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is seeking an exceptional Chief Nurse to join our Board and Executive Team at a pivotal time in our journey.
Serving a population of over 350,000 people across west Essex and east Hertfordshire, and employing over 4,000 colleagues, we are committed to delivering safe, compassionate and high-quality care while transforming services to meet the needs of our communities now and in the future.
As Chief Nurse, you will be a voting member of the Trust Board and a key contributor to organisational strategy, providing visible and inspirational leadership across nursing, midwifery and allied health professions. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, you will ensure the highest standards of patient care, professional practice, patient safety and patient experience across the organisation.
Main duties of the job
This is an influential executive role with responsibility for quality governance, safeguarding, patient experience, volunteering, infection prevention and control, and non-medical education. You will work closely with executive and clinical colleagues to drive improvement, shape organisational culture and provide assurance to the Board that services consistently deliver safe, effective and compassionate care.
You will be a highly credible and experienced senior nursing leader with a track record of operating successfully at a strategic level. You will bring the professional credibility, judgement and resilience required to lead in a complex and evolving healthcare environment, alongside a passion for developing people, improving services and championing outstanding patient experience.
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 that is 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.
We are 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
We are looking for someone who can:
- Provide visible, compassionate and inclusive leadership across the organisation.
- Lead and inspire nursing, midwifery and allied health professional teams to deliver excellent patient care.
- Drive continuous improvement in quality, safety and patient experience.
- Champion professional standards, education, research and workforce development.
- Lead organisational transformation and support the delivery of the Trust's strategic ambitions.
- Build strong partnerships across the health and care system to improve outcomes for patients and communities.
- Foster a culture of openness, learning, innovation and continuous improvement.
The successful candidate will be a registered nurse with substantial senior leadership experience and the ability to influence at Board, system and regional level. Above all, you will share our commitment to putting patients first and creating an environment in which our staff can thrive and provide their very best care.
At PAHT, our values guide everything we do:
- People at Heart - Putting compassion, respect and inclusion at the centre of everything we do.
- Creative Collaboration - Working openly and collaboratively to achieve better outcomes together.
- Everyday Excellence - Continually striving to improve and deliver outstanding care every day.
This is a rare opportunity to join an ambitious Trust and play a leading role in shaping the future of healthcare services for our patients, communities and staff.
If you are an inspirational leader with the experience, ambition and passion to make a lasting difference, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse with current NMC registration.
- Masters degree in nursing, healthcare leadership, or equivalent senior-level experience.
Desirable
- Doctorate or postgraduate qualification in leadership, management, or research.
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience at executive or sub-board level in an NHS provider or equivalent healthcare organisation.
- Track record of leading nursing, midwifery, or AHP services at scale in a complex healthcare setting.
- Demonstrable success in improving quality, safety, and patient experience outcomes.
- Experience of leading large multi-professional teams through deputies and senior leaders.
Desirable
- Experience as a Chief Nurse or equivalent Board-level professional lead.
- Experience of working within an Integrated Care Board or multi-agency environment.
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)