Main area
Director of Nursing
Grade
Band 8d
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time hours per week
Job ref
271-CO
Site
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust
Town
London
Salary
£99,808 - £113,803 per annum inclusive
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
01/03/2026 23:59
Job overview
Director of Nursing - Brain, Heart & Lung and Sight & Sound
It is such an exciting time to be joining our Team. With the launch of our new Strategy – Together We Power Care, and the relaunch of our Values you will have an opportunity to be part of embedding change.
A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a senior nurse leader to join the clinical operational leadership team at our world -class children's hospital. We are looking for an ambitious, talented and compassionate team player who can drive excellence and innovation at senior operational level.
Main duties of the job
Working in partnership with the Chief of Service and Director of Operations, you will be responsible for the continuous improvement of the clinical services within the Directorate, with a specific focus on quality, safety, and patient experience.
The Director of Nursing will lead on the professional nursing agenda and play an integral part in workforce modernisation, promoting an inclusive environment that encourages professional and personal growth. There will be an opportunity for the postholder to take the lead in supporting the delivery of the Trust's Nursing Strategy, Safe in our Hands -to achieve joy at work.
The postholder will have a track record of leading nursing teams in a complex and dynamic environment, striving for, and achieving excellence in clinical care and patient experience whilst recognising the importance of financial and operational efficiencies.
If you are keen to join a motivated and enthusiastic team, working in a dynamic environment, then this role is for you.
If you are excited about the possibilities that these roles offer and would value an informal conversation, then you are very welcome to contact:
We look forward to receiving your application
Working for our organisation
We are committed to recruiting the best person for the job through a fair, open and consistent process that is free from bias and discrimination.
We are working towards becoming an anti-racist organisation. This means creating a workplace where every colleague feels seen, heard and valued, and where racism in any form has no place. Our anti-racism commitment is backed by action through our Anti-Racism Statement and action plan, developed in collaboration with our REACH staff network.
We actively challenge discrimination, dismantle barriers and embed equity across all aspects of our workforce, including recruitment, progression and development. All applicants will receive equal consideration regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, health condition or employment history.
We particularly welcome applications from ethnically diverse communities, people with disabilities or long-term health conditions, and LGBTQ+ community members. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, a member of the Business Disability Forum, and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.
Our staff networks, including REACH, PRIDE, ENABLED and Women's Networks, are active and executive supported. These employee-led networks play a vital role in shaping an inclusive culture at GOSH and are open to all colleagues.
Together, we are building a culture where inclusion is not optional - it is essential.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s below.
Application process and timelines
Please submit a CV and use the supporting statement section of the application to write your covering letter, outlining your motivation for applying for this role and demonstrating how you fulfil the requirements of the job description and person specification.
For application form queries, email
Closing date for applications – 1st March 2026 Midnight
Person specification
GOSH Culture and Values
Essential criteria
Our Always values
Knowledge and understanding of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• Demonstrable contribution to advancing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace
Academic/Professional qualification/Training
Essential criteria
Registered Nurse with current professional body registration (experience in caring for Children and Young People)
Relevant First Degree
Master's level qualification
development pertaining to leadership
Desirable criteria
Coaching or mentoring qualification
Experience/Knowledge
Essential criteria
Significant leadership at a senior level within the NHS and across a range of NHS settings
Significant experience of leading and managing clinical teams
Significant experience of modernising and redesigning a clinical workforce
Demonstratable experience of building, maintaining and utilising successful relationships with all staff in a complex environment
Proven experience of successful recruitment and retention initiatives
Significant experience of operational leadership in either an acute or specialist Trust
Evidence of successfully leading significant organisational change in developing new models of healthcare delivery
Evidence of significant experience in leading on quality, safety and patient experience initiatives
Demonstrable experience of working with patients and families in difficult situations
Considerable experience in managing complex safeguarding situations
Proven experience of budget management
Experience of training and development implementing evidence-based practice or nursing research in practice
Substantial experience in managing complex employment situations
Skills/Abilities
Essential criteria
Highly developed communication skills combined with personal authority, confidence and integrity, with proven ability to make a positive impact at all levels
Demonstrate the ability to be empathetic, kind and compassionate but focussed on taking difficult decisions
Can demonstrate reflection and insight
Please be advised that:
The recruitment process for all admin and clerical roles at Bands 2-4 will be a two stage recruitment process whereby shortlisted candidates will undertake an online literacy, numeracy, ICT and typing test. Only those candidates who pass the competency test will proceed to a formal interview.
The closing date given is a guide only. There may be some occasions where we have to close a vacancy once sufficient applications have been received. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification criteria for this post will be shortlisted. Please note that where high volumes of applicants have been received, additional criteria may on occasion be used to determine the final shortlist.
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 .
We are an accredited Living Wage Employer.
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.