About this role
Job summary
We are seeking an experienced and highly credible Associate Director of Nursing/AHPs to provide strategic and professional leadership across the Division, working as a key member of the senior leadership team.
This is an exceptional opportunity to join at a pivotal time, shaping the future of nursing and AHP leadership across a forward-thinking division. You will play a key strategic role in delivering high-quality patient care, leading workforce transformation, and supporting the Trust's ambitious vision for integrated, community-focused services.
Working alongside experienced clinical and operational leaders, you will have the opportunity to influence organisational strategy, drive innovation, and make a lasting impact on the health outcomes of our local communities.
We welcome applications from experienced senior leaders from either a nursing or Allied Health Professional background. Candidates will be required to hold current professional registration with the NMC or relevant HCPC register, appropriate to their professional background.
Main duties of the job
The Associate Director of Nursing/AHPs will provide strategic, professional and operational leadership for nursing and allied health professional services across the Division, ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality, effective and financially sustainable care. As a key member of the Divisional Leadership Team, the post holder will contribute to the strategic direction, performance and transformation of services across the Division and wider Trust.
The post holder will hold senior accountability for quality, patient safety, clinical governance, workforce, professional standards and the effective use of resources, providing assurance to the Executive Chief Nurse and wider organisation. They will provide visible professional leadership, developing senior nursing and AHP leaders and ensuring services respond effectively to current and future workforce and patient needs.
Working collaboratively across organisational and system boundaries, the post holder will lead and influence strategic change, service transformation and continuous improvement, using quality, workforce, performance and patient experience intelligence to improve outcomes and ensure delivery against organisational priorities. They will contribute to corporate and cross-divisional programmes and promote a culture of accountability, innovation and continuous improvement.
About us
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge and provides acute and secondary care services.
We provide community services in West Suffolk, and specialist community services across the county, including nursing, therapy, and specialist services.
Ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation services are provided through community inpatient beds, including at Newmarket Community Hospital (NCH). A new Community Diagnostic Centre based at NCH opened in December 2024.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and teamwork guide how we work and behave as a team.
Application Advice
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Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the full job description and person specification attached to see the full details of this job role.
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse with current NMC registration, or Registered AHP with current HCPC registration
- Master's degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant field (e.g., leadership, healthcare management)
- Evidence of continued professional development
Desirable
- Postgraduate leadership/management qualification
- Participation in senior leadership programmes (e.g. NHS Leadership Academy
Experience & Knowledge
Essential
- Significant senior nursing/AHP leadership experience (e.g., Matron / Head of Nursing/Therapies level)
- Evidence of effective working relationships both inside and outside the organisation
- Experience of leading and managing large multidisciplinary teams
- Proven experience in managing service delivery within an acute or complex healthcare setting.
- Experience of leading quality improvement and patient safety initiatives
- Demonstrable experience of workforce planning and staff management, including performance and capability
- Robust financial acumen
Desirable
- Leadership facilitator
- Experience of leading strategic/cross Trust changes
- Experience in preparing business cases
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Up-to-date knowledge of national nursing/AHP policy and initiatives
- Effective communication, influencing and leadership skills.
- Ability to prioritise and manage competing demands.
- Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret complex data.
- Experience of quality improvement, audit and change management.
- Understanding of research and evidence-based practice
- Knowledge of safeguarding, Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act
Desirable
- Ability to apply research to practice.
- Experience of contributing to strategic planning
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Ability to work effectively within teams and independently
- Strong decision-making skills, including autonomous judgement
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly to a range of stakeholders
- Ability to analyse and solve complex problems
- Ability to develop and articulate a clear vision
- Committed to equality, diversity, integrity and professional standards
Desirable
- Willingness to undertake wider professional roles at local, regional or national level
- Commitment to ongoing professional development
- Experience of leading change across multiple settings
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Address
West Suffolk Hospital
Bury St Edmunds
IP33 2QZ
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.wsh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)