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Head of Nursing Women and Children's division

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Hastings, TN37 7RDView on map(opens Google Maps in a new tab)

Salary

£66,582 to £77,368

Contract

Permanent

Hours

Not specified

Closing date

22 October 2026

2 days left

Job description

We are seeking an experienced, forward-thinking and values-driven Head of Nursing for Women's and Children's Services to provide visible, compassionat...

You will play a pivotal role in translating national priorities into local delivery, including:

Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) recommendations for paediatrics, neonates and gynaecology.

National Patient Safety Alerts and Learning from Patient Safety Events (LFPSE).

NICE guidance and best practice standards.

Royal College standards (RCPCH, RCN, RCOG) and relevant safeguarding frameworks.

Provide leadership for nursing workforce and professional practice, ensuring safe staffing, skill mix and workforce sustainability across paediatrics, neonates and gynaecology.

Lead on quality assurance, patient safety and experience, driving a culture of continuous learning, transparency, and improvement.

Ensure robust systems are in place to meet statutory safeguarding responsibilities for children and vulnerable groups.

Work in partnership with midwifery, medical, AHP and corporate teams to ensure integrated pathways across maternity, neonatal and paediatric care.

Support delivery of key performance indicators including waiting times, flow, harm reduction, and patient outcomes.

The role requires a highly visible leader who can operate with credibility across complex systems, balancing strategic priorities with operational delivery, and driving improvement across interfaces between children's, neonatal, and women's health services.

Please refer to the job description attached.

If you have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us.

A wide range of staff benefits are available to our staff including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto-enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries. staff restaurants and accommodation.

In addition to an internal Occupational Health department, all staff also have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Onsite parking is available from only £50 a year.

There has never been a better time to join East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, submit your application today.

Statement on the Use of AI

We value the individuality that each candidate brings to the application process. While we understand that AI tools are widely available, we strongly discourage applicants from using AI-generated content when applying for jobs with us. We believe that your application should reflect your true skills, experiences, and motivations, which are best conveyed through your own words and unique perspective.

Using AI for your application may not accurately represent your knowledge, skills, and experience and may result in a disconnect between your qualifications and our assessment of your application.

We encourage applicants to take the time to thoughtfully complete their applications; by doing so, you allow us to better understand your true potential and ensure a fair and transparent evaluation of your application. Over reliance on AI-generated content may diminish your chance of success.

Qualifications / Training

Essential

  • Registered Nurse/AHP/HCS and hold active registration with NMC/HCPC
  • Masters level qualification/training relevant to role or equivalent knowledge acquired through extensive experience and training and working towards Masters level qualification
  • Evidence of continuous professional development relevant to role to demonstrate expert clinical and leadership skills
  • Senior Leadership qualification or training
  • Mentoring/Coaching/Supervision qualification or training
  • Project Management and Quality Improvement qualification or training

Experience

Essential

  • Experience working in a leadership position including contributing to operational management of services.
  • Experience in management of health services
  • Able to demonstrate experience of: Quality/Service improvement and leading change Operational management and performance People Management - performance, appraisal, sickness, development, retention
  • Managing budgets and business planning
  • Monitoring, analysing and assessing clinical performance across complex services
  • Setting and monitoring standards of care and ensuring this is delivered to an exceptional standard

Setting and monitoring standards of care and ensuring this is delivered to an exceptional standard:

Essential

  • Knowledge and skills and understanding of: Leadership skills that inspire, engage and motivate a workforce National nursing/professional agenda, NHS targets and regulatory standards and requirements
  • Setting workforce standards, managing complex HR issues, multidisciplinary team working
  • Quality improvement initiatives, setting and monitoring standards of care across a range of clinical services and able to agree clear performance goals and offer constructive feedback.
  • Assessment and management of complex operational and clinical risks and knowledge of clinical and operational governance framework.
  • Excellent communication skills, able to engage, negotiate and influence stakeholders, present information, write business cases and service plans.

Other

Essential

  • Frequent involvement (both direct and indirect) in emotionally distressing process such as managing significant change including redeployment and redundancy, performance management, complex disciplinary, grievance and appeal procedures as well as responding to complaints
  • Able to travel to meet the requirements of the job
  • Flexibility in working hours and patterns

How to apply

Applications are handled entirely by the employer on the original advert. We do not collect CVs, supporting statements or application data.

Provenance

Source

NHS Jobs

First seen

15 October 2026

Last checked

16 October 2026

Salary, closing date and description are taken from the employer's advert. The original advert always takes precedence.

About the employer

ESH
East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

NHS organisation

This listing was structured from NHS Jobs. Vacancy details and the application process remain the responsibility of the original source.

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