Job overview
Stakeholder Event: 12th June 2026
Panel Interview: 15th June 2026
We have an excellent opportunity for an experienced senior IPC nurse leader to work in one of England’s largest acute hospital Trusts. Leading IPC strategy, you will provide credible and visible leadership across our multiple sites and deliver professional advice on all aspects of IPC. Reporting to the Deputy Chief Nurse, you will be responsible for ensuring strategies are developed and implemented to prevent avoidable Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs) at all levels in the organisation. With a track record of managing IPC teams, you will thrive on maintaining the highest standards of IPC and demonstrate an engaging and inclusive approach. Working closely with the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nurse, you will be confident in providing assurance at board level and have experience of developing and presenting papers at formal committees. This is a real opportunity to operate at scale and make a significant contribution to patient care.
Main duties of the job
As Corporate Director of Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) the post holder will lead the Infection Prevention and Control strategy and agenda in collaboration with the Deputy Chief Nurse/Chief Nurse.
The post holder will also be a senior member of the Corporate Nursing team and provide leadership and support to the wider portfolio within the Chief Nurse’s remit as required.
The post holder is responsible with the Chief Nurse (Director of Infection Prevention and Control) and Infection Control Doctor (ICD) for the prevention, monitoring, investigation and control of infection within the Trust.
Working for our organisation
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Candidate Pack
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The post holder will provide senior leadership, strategic support and specialist clinical expert advice across the organisation in relation to infection prevention and control, clinical sustainability and clinical quality, including the drive to improve standards of care and patient experience. They will exercise high levels of judgement, discretion and decision making in clinical care. They will ensure the delivery of a robust Infection Prevention and Control service to the Trust (across all sites) thereby reducing the incidence of healthcare associated infections and contributing to the quality of patient care and service delivery.
They will work with a high level of autonomy, working closely with the divisional teams and corporate services such as Estates, creating workable solutions, providing highly expert advice and acting as a representative for the Trust on external advisory groups/bodies as required.
The post holder will work in collaboration with the Chief Nurse Senior Leadership Team to be the public face of infection prevention and control and will be responsible for the production of the annual report, providing details on the organisation’s infection prevention and control programme and publication of Health Care Associated Infection data for the organisation.
Please see the Job Description and Person Specification for full role and responsibility.
Person specification
Qualifications/ Knowledge and skills
Essential criteria
1. Degree level or equivalent education
2. Registered Nurse
3. Master’s degree or equivalent knowledge/ experience; MBA or Doctorate
Experience
Essential criteria
4. Senior Nurse Leadership experience in an acute healthcare organisation and a credible clinician in their field of IPC
5. Experience as a Deputy DIPC - credibility of knowledge of IPC
6. Experience of clinical governance and of the measures to ensure patient safety
7. Can demonstrate a track record of successful delivery and innovation
8. Experience of strategy development
9. Establishing and sustaining effective strategic direction
10. Experience of outbreak management
11. Experience of teaching to undergraduates and postgraduates
12. Detailed knowledge and understanding of current nursing policies such as safe staffing revalidation and safeguarding
13. Extensive and detailed knowledge of: Surveillance/epidemiology, Screening, Outbreak management in acute healthcare setting, Surgical site infection, IPC in the built environment, Decontamination/Sterilisation, Disinfection, Water safety, Soft FM/cleaning, Endoscopy, Effective monitoring arrangements, Training and education
14. An understanding of the value of epidemiological analysis within the IPC function
15. Able to take full independent responsibility for clinical advice and management of HCAIs
16. A good understanding of the current context of health and social care, and of clinical learning and research
17. Experience of incident management
Communication Skills
Essential criteria
18. Highly developed communication, negotiation, and influencing skills
19. Ability to convey highly complex and contentious messages
20. Proven ability to work effectively with a wide range of clinical professionals
21. Ability to present complex information to a range of audiences
22. Skilled in conflict resolution and partnership working
23. Confidence and ability to challenge colleagues
24. Develop good working relationships with colleagues across Trust and with External stakeholders
Desirable criteria
25. Experience of media engagement
People Management and Development
Essential criteria
26. Highly developed and credible leadership skills
27. Able to lead, motivate and influence individuals both within and external to the organisation
28. Ability to hold others to account
29. Experience of managing performance, change and complex people issues
30. Ability to work under pressure and lead through ambiguity
Desirable criteria
31. Coaching or mentoring qualification
Analytical & Judgment skills
Essential criteria
32. Highly developed analytical and judgement skills
33. Ability to interpret complex data and make sound decisions
34. Experience of critical decision making in relation to operational and clinical risk
Planning & Organisational Skills
Essential criteria
35. Strong problem-solving abilities
36. High level objective setting
37. Demonstrate efficient use of resources
38. Excellent time management and prioritisation
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
39. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
40. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications