About this role
Job summary
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced, compassionate and forward-thinking Head of Midwifery to provide senior professional, clinical and operational leadership across our maternity services.
This is a pivotal leadership role within a complex, high-profile maternity service. Working closely with the Director of Midwifery and senior leadership team, you will be responsible for workforce, quality, safety and governance, providing clear assurance that services are safe, sustainable and continually improving. You will play a key role in shaping the strategic direction of maternity services at OUH, balancing operational delivery with longer-term transformation and workforce sustainability.
We are looking for a senior midwifery leader with a strong track record in clinical governance, safe staffing and service improvement, who is values-led and trauma-informed in their leadership approach. You will work in close partnership with women, families and communities, and act as a senior maternity leader within the local maternity and neonatal system, influencing system strategy and reducing inequalities in outcomes.
This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference for women, birthing people, babies and staff, within a Trust that is committed to compassionate leadership, learning and continuous improvement.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide senior leadership across maternity services, ensuring delivery of safe, high-quality, person-centred care and achievement of agreed performance, quality and financial plan.
The Head of Midwifery will deputise for the Director of Midwifery as required.
About us
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.
Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community.
We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence, and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.
These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel.
In 2023NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit to the ten core principles
Oxford University Hospitals promotes a safe, respectful hiring environment.
Job description Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Job Description for further information. Alternatively, please contact Milica Redfearn Director of Midwifery.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications Essential
Registered Midwife with current NMC registration Educated to Master's level of equivalent
Desirable
NHS Leadership programme Management qualification
Experience Essential
Senior leadership experience within maternity services Proven experience of workforce planning, financial management and safe staffing Experience of leading on clinical governance, risk management and external assurance Evidence of leading at a senior level the strategic development of midwifery service Experience of leading successful complex change and developing high quality maternity services including experience of engaging and motivating staff to achieve Trust vision.
Desirable
Experience of system-level working within an LMNS or ICB footprint Experience of leading large-scale maternity quality or safety improvement programmes
Knowledge Essential
Demonstrable understanding of relevant national strategy and policy and how this relates to services. Demonstrate experience of an analytical, problem-solving approach
Skills and Abilities Essential
Strong interpersonal, analytical and strategic leadership skills Able to manage a heavy and complex workloads and ability to manage change within a complex environment Aligned to Trust Values Commitment to equity, inclusion and compassionate leadership
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 Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address John Radcliffe Hospital
Headley Way
Oxford
OX3 9DU
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)