Group Chief Nurse
The closing date is 15 May 2026
Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust are seeking an exceptional clinical leader to join our Group Executive Team as Chief Nursing Officer.
This is a significant opportunity to provide professional leadership for nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals across two NHS organisations working in a group model, and to inspire a workforce whose commitment, skill and compassion are central to the service provided to our patients and communities every day.
As Chief Nursing Officer you will lead and support a large and diverse workforce, offering clear and compassionate leadership, inspiring colleagues to be their very best and continuing to build on both organisations' shared commitment to outstanding care for every patient.
Main duties of the job
IWT and PHU remain independent statutory bodies, with both Boards meeting in common, which creates a unique leadership opportunity for the Chief Nursing Officer to shape professional practice and workforce culture across two organisations.
Providing visible and inspiring leadership, you will articulate a clear and compelling vision for the professions you support and help create the conditions in which colleagues can thrive and deliver the very highest standards of care. You will have a natural drive to ensure colleagues feel supported, valued and proud of the care they provide.
You will bring empathy for patients, compassion for colleagues and a deep commitment to excellence. You will be a skilled relationship builder, able to create and nurture relationships across all grades of staff and across organisational boundaries.
You will champion the workforce and ensure that clinical leadership continues to shape culture, performance and standards across both Trusts. You will also help ensure that staff wellbeing, development and pride in their work remain central to the way services are delivered.
About us
Here at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, we are proud to provide expert, compassionate care for our local population. We are ranked as the third in the country for research, embedding education and training across the organisation. Our main hub is the Queen Alexandra Hospital, which is one of the largest hospitals on the south coast employing over 8,700 staff.
Our patients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our hospital stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for getting it right for patients, colleagues, and our community, you will find a home at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.
Job responsibilities
As a member of the Group Executive Leadership Team and Board of Directors in Common, you will bring sound judgement, professional credibility and a strong commitment to our values. You will ensure that the voice of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals is clearly represented in strategic discussions and that these professions continue to shape the direction and culture of both organisations.
Working closely with our Group Chief Executive, Penny Emerit, and executive colleagues, you will help shape the future development of workforce practice across the Group. You will also represent clinical leadership across the wider Hampshire and Isle of Wight system, working with partners to strengthen collaboration and advance standards across the region and where appropriate, nationally.
This is an outstanding opportunity to inspire a workforce, shape the future of clinical practice across two organisations and continue to build on a shared commitment to excellence in care.
Qualifications
* Master's Degree
* Registered General Nurse with NMC
Experience
* Evidence of sustained personal and professional development
* Operating at Executive Director level in a large complex service organisation
* Demonstrable track record of significant achievements and delivered results
Skills and Knowledge
* Detailed knowledge of Clinical Quality and Safety methodologies
* Detailed knowledge of Clinical and Corporate Governance frameworks, legislation and best practice
* Experienced safeguarding lead
* Personable and professional approach to all staff levels
* Highly developed strategic and operational leadership skills
* Ability to quickly establish effective working relationships and develop strong team working
* Knowledge and understanding of corporate risk management systems and processes
* Highly developed interpersonal and facilitation skills, with ability to gain and sustain credibility with Board of Directors
* Excellent presentation skills and the ability to present well‑reasoned and structured argument orally and in writing
* Highly developed analytical skills
* Proficiency in the use of ICT applications to support efficient work activity, including the analysis, interpretation and presentation of complex data
* Ability to influence and negotiate within and outside an organisation
* Ability to manage priorities in order to meet specific deadlines
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.
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