About this role
Job summary
This is a permanent Head of Nursing post. The postholder will be based within the Cardiac Care Division for the first nine months, providing senior professional and operational leadership for the nursing and AHP workforce across the Care Division. Following this initial period, the post will be reviewed with the Director of Nursing, with a view to confirming a Head of Nursing post within WTWA hospitals.
The role provides clinical governance and professional leadership, supporting delivery of the Trust's strategic objectives, workforce priorities, clinical quality, patient safety, patient experience and financial performance. Further details about the post, including the initial placement and review arrangements, can be discussed with the recruiting manager.
Main duties of the job
Strategic and operational leadership - Work with the Clinical Director and Associate Director of Performance and Operations to deliver Care Division objectives, Trust strategy and operational priorities. Professional leadership - Provide visible leadership for nursing and AHP staff, ensuring professional standards, accountability and high-quality, patient-centred care. Clinical governance and safety - Lead quality, patient safety, risk management, clinical effectiveness, compliance, patient experience, complaints and regulatory requirements.
Workforce leadership - Lead workforce planning, recruitment and retention, skill mix, education, training, appraisal, development and succession planning. Performance and improvement - Monitor key performance measures, lead improvement plans, address underperformance and support delivery of service objectives. Quality, research and innovation - Promote evidence-based practice, research, innovation and continuous quality improvement .Financial management - Support financial delivery, manage temporary staffing expenditure and identify cost reduction and avoidance opportunities.
People and culture - Promote inclusion, staff engagement, wellbeing, learning, development, performance and effective team working. Partnership and change - Work collaboratively with clinical, operational, corporate and external stakeholders to improve services, reduce inequalities and deliver transformation.
About us
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is a leading, integrated healthcare provider, the largest of its kind in specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, serving over 1 million people per year through our 10 hospitals and extensive community services. With a workforce of 30,000 plus, we are at the forefront of system leadership, innovation, and transformation across Greater Manchester.
As a senior manager, you will play a critical role in shaping and delivering our strategic objectives. You will lead complex programmes, drive operational excellence, and influence Trust-wide transformation, working collaboratively with or through Executive and Clinical Leaders to deliver sustainable improvements for our patients, staff, and communities.
MFT offers a dynamic, inclusive environment where your leadership, vision, and expertise are valued. You will have the opportunity to lead high-impact projects, develop future talent, and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, supported by advanced digital infrastructure and a commitment to professional development. Join us to make a lasting impact--help shape the future of our Trust, drive innovation, and deliver outstanding care for the people of Manchester, Trafford and beyond.
Job description
Job responsibilities
IMPORTANT CANDIDATE INFORMATION
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Documents to download heading.
Explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place
To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place. This welcoming onestop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. Youll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.
To access Inside MFT Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the Documents to download heading and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.
Closing vacancy listings early
We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.
Diversity MattersMFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other.As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.
Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.
What is a DBS Check?
A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:
Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.
Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police thats considered relevant to the role.
Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the childrens and/or adults barred lists.
Who Needs a DBS Check
Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.
The Costs for a DBS
At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.
For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december
DBS Update Service
Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- First level registration NMC registered graduate in Nursing Graduate in health-related subject
- Masters or higher degree or evidence of working towards
- Evidence of relevant study and continuing professional development
- Post registration leadership development
Desirable
- Management. / Leadership courses relevant to role
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge and understanding of NHS Policy and regulatory policy, demonstrating ability to interpret these and implement changes where appropriate
Desirable
- Experience of research activities.
TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Significant operational management experience at Lead Nurse level or above
- Significant clinical experience at Lead Nurse level within a complex organisation.
- Experienced in a range of clinical settings and models of care.
- Experience in managing an operational service including budget management/financial planning and strategic development.
Desirable
- Evidence of leading major organisational change
- Evidence of leading governance /clinical effectiveness agenda in complex service
Skills
Essential
- Evidence of experience in management of change.
- Evidence of collaborative working and learning.
- Evidence of experience of clinical governance
- Evidence of strong leadership skills.
- Strategic thinking
- Ability to make decisions in a pressured environment.
ATTRIBUTES
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills and experience in interdisciplinary working/communication
- Ability to produce reports, action plans, both written and verbal.
- Highly developed interpersonal skills. Confident & articulate.
- Demonstrates and role models Trust values and behaviours
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Essential
- Evidence of experience in management of change
- Evidence of collaborative working and learning.
- Evidence of experience of clinical governance
- Evidence of strong leadership skills
- Strategic thinking
- Ability to make decisions in a pressured 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.
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
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Wythenshawe Hospital
Southmoor Road
Manchester
M23 9LT
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)