Job overview
We are seeking an experienced, motivated and dynamic Clinical Matron to provide senior clinical and professional leadership across nine operating theatres located across three hospital sites, including three Recovery areas, a standalone Day Surgery Unit and satellite areas such as MRI and PET scanning.
This senior role is pivotal in ensuring the delivery of safe, high‑quality, patient‑centred perioperative care in line with Trust objectives, national standards and best practice. The post holder will work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and senior medical and nursing colleagues to lead, develop and embed excellent clinical practice, whilst maintaining strong visibility, professional credibility and compassionate leadership across all areas.
The successful candidate will be an experienced senior registered nurse with a strong perioperative background, proven leadership skills and a track record of improving quality, safety and performance. Excellent communication, influencing skills and the ability to manage complexity and change are essential.
This is a unique opportunity to contribute to an ambitious period of transformation and service expansion, including the transition of heart, lung and critical care services from Royal Brompton Hospital, the development of the Primary Treatment Centre for Paediatric Cancer, and the construction of a new state‑of‑the‑art Evelina Children’s Hospital facility.
Closing date: 7th May 2026
Interview date: W/C 18th May 2026 (TBC)
Main duties of the job
Through strong clinical leadership, the Clinical Matron will support Clinical Coordinators and Team Leaders to promote excellence in nursing care and continuously improve clinical standards. The post holder will ensure all patients are treated with compassion, dignity and respect, valuing diversity and inclusion, while promoting best practice in infection prevention and maintaining clean, safe clinical environments.
A key responsibility of the role is to ensure a high‑quality patient experience that inspires patient and public confidence, achieved through high visibility, accessibility and consistent clinical oversight. The Clinical Matron will have overall accountability for the day‑to‑day management of the nursing and anaesthetic services within the operating theatre department, including recovery and day surgery.
Practising at an advanced level, the post holder will demonstrate high levels of autonomy, clinical expertise and decision‑making, working as a highly specialised member of the multidisciplinary team to ensure patient needs are met and staffing levels are appropriate and responsive. The Clinical Matron will report to the Lead Nurse and be accountable to the Head of Nursing, contributing to the operational and strategic leadership of nursing within the Clinical Directorate.
Working for our organisation
At Evelina London, paediatric operating theatres sit at the heart of specialist surgical care. We operate seven inpatient theatres and two day‑case theatres, each with dedicated recovery areas, delivering safe, high‑quality care for children and young people across a wide range of specialties including ENT, Orthopaedics, Spine, Plastics, Urology, General Surgery, Dental, Ophthalmology & Robotics surgery.
Our service extends beyond the main theatre suite to support procedures in MRI, Interventional Radiology, Cath Lab & PET Scan, with additional support provided to adult inpatient theatres when paediatric patients require specialist care. Although geographically spread, our theatre workforce functions as a single, cohesive team, rotating across all areas to develop specialist skills, confidence and professional growth.
We are proud to have dedicated clinical educators delivering structured education and training pathways, supported by the Trust’s strong commitment to flexible working, upskilling & staff development. These initiatives underpin our positive culture, high staff retention & continuous improvement.
Evelina London is also at the forefront of service transformation, including the relocation of heart, lung and critical care services from Royal Brompton Hospital, the development of the Children’s Cancer Service and the construction of a new state‑of‑the‑art Evelina Children’s Hospital building - offering a unique opportunity to be part of a pioneering and ambitious team.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. Clinical Leadership & Quality of Care
1. Act as a clinical expert and role model in paediatric perioperative nursing across theatres, recovery and day surgery.
2. Maintain high standards of child‑centred, family‑focused care, ensuring patients are treated with dignity, compassion and respect.
3. Ensure compliance with national and local policies, professional codes of practice and perioperative standards.
4. Undertake regular matron rounds, monitoring clinical environments, practice standards and patient experience.
5. Actively advocate for children, young people and families across the perioperative pathway.
2. Patient Safety, Risk & Clinical Governance
6. Lead and champion patient safety, infection prevention and control, safeguarding and risk management.
7. Ensure patients are cared for in clean, safe and well‑maintained environments, taking immediate action where standards are compromised.
8. Manage and respond to complaints, incidents and adverse events, ensuring learning is identified and embedded.
9. Undertake or oversee root cause analysis, develop action plans and monitor improvements.
10. Lead implementation of safety initiatives, audits and quality improvement programmes.
11. Monitor clinical indicators and share learning and best practice through governance forums.
3. Performance Management & Professional Leadership
12. Provide strong professional and managerial leadership to Ward/Department Managers, Team Leaders and senior nursing staff.
13. Hold senior staff accountable for performance, quality and delivery of agreed objectives.
14. Support leadership development through coaching, supervision, appraisal and succession planning.
15. Address poor performance, conduct and capability issues in line with Trust policies.
16. Actively promote Trust values and contribute to a positive, inclusive and compassionate culture.
4. Workforce Planning, Staffing & Rostering
17. Oversee workforce planning, skill mix and staff deployment, ensuring services are safely staffed to meet activity and acuity.
18. Ensure rostering is effective, compliant and cost‑efficient in line with Trust guidelines.
19. Monitor and control bank and agency usage, escalating risks where required.
20. Oversee recruitment processes, ensuring posts are filled in a timely manner.
21. Monitor sickness absence, wellbeing and retention, escalating concerns appropriately.
5. Service Development & Improvement
22. Contribute to the clinical directorate strategy, supporting service transformation and modernisation.
23. Lead and support service improvement initiatives, including efficiency, pathway redesign and reduction of cancellations.
24. Work in partnership with Clinical Leads, Anaesthetics, Operational Managers and corporate teams to deliver local and national priorities.
25. Promote integrated working across services to improve perioperative flow and outcomes.
26. Identify and promote the unique contribution of nursing and midwifery to service development.
6. Financial & Resource Management
27. Manage the nursing budget for the designated areas, ensuring safe establishments and appropriate skill mix.
28. Authorise expenditure within agreed limits and monitor pay and non‑pay budgets.
29. Manage nursing resources day‑to‑day, with particular focus on controlling bank and agency spend.
30. Report financial and workforce performance to the Lead Nurse and Head of Nursing.
7. Education, Training & Research
31. Ensure all staff meet mandatory training and competency requirements, including medicines management and acute care skills.
32. Support education, training and professional development in collaboration with Clinical Educators.
33. Promote a culture of continuous learning, audit and research within paediatric perioperative services.
34. Support and advise on approved research and service evaluation projects.
35. Ensure clinical areas provide safe, high‑quality learning environments for students.
8. Patient Experience & Professional Standards
36. Lead on improving patient and family experience, ensuring feedback is gathered, reviewed and acted upon.
37. Promote privacy, dignity, inclusivity and safeguarding at all times.
38. Act in accordance with NMC and other relevant professional codes, remaining accountable for professional practice.
39. Implement Trust initiatives such as the Matron’s Charter and patient experience frameworks.
Person specification
Qualifications/Education
Essential criteria
40. Registered Nurse (Adult or Children)
41. Current NMC Registration
42. Evidence of ongoing CPD relevant to perioperative practice and leadership
43. Evidence of teaching, coaching or mentoring qualifications
Desirable criteria
44. Postgraduate qualification in leadership, management or perioperative practive
45. Evidence of master's degree or working towards it
Skills/Knowledge/Ability
Essential criteria
46. Proven ability to provide visible, professional leadership in a high‑acuity environment
47. Experience of workforce management, including recruitment, appraisal, sickness, and performance management
48. Ability to influence and work collaboratively with MDT (Clinicians and Managers)
49. Evidence of change management and resolving complex service or staff issues
Desirable criteria
50. Experience of budgetary management or cost improvement programmes
51. Experience leading across multiple sites or departments
Experience
Essential criteria
52. Significant post‑registration experience in a perioperative/theatres setting
53. Substantial experience at senior level ( Band 7 or equivalent) in theatres
54. Experience of managing large, complex teams across multiple disciplines
55. Demonstrable experience of clinical governance, audit, and risk management in theatres
Desirable criteria
56. Experience across multiple theatre specialties
57. Experience preparing services for CQC inspections or external reviews
Values and Behaviour
Essential criteria
58. Commitment to Trust and NHS values and inclusive leadership
59. Patient‑focused approach to care and service delivery
60. High level of professional integrity and accountability
61. Ability to work flexibly to meet service needs
Guy’s and St Thomas’ celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or study’s at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership.