Job overview
Director of Integrated Governance, VSM, Worthing Hospital
As part of the launch of our Target Operating Model, we have a new and exciting opportunity for an experienced and clinically qualified governance leader. Reporting directly to the Chief Nurse, this key role will provide coordination and oversight of an integrated governance function including patient safety, complaints, PALS, legal services, CQC Compliance, clinical audit, mortality reviews, NICE and clinical standards.
Working closely with the Chief Medical Officer, their deputies, and divisional clinical teams, you will provide visible and inclusive leadership across the organisation and lead on all aspects of clinical governance. A strong analytical mindset combined with the ability to quickly build strong relationships in a matrix structure will be important. To succeed in this role, you will be highly skilled at managing and interpreting large volumes of complex data and translating this into reports to provide assurance to the board. UHSussex is one of the largest acute Trusts in England, therefore the role is high profile and offers an opportunity for exposure at system and regional level.
Panel Interview: 8th June 2026
Main duties of the job
The Director of Integrated Quality Governance will provide specialist and professional advice to the Chief Nursing on all matters relating to Integrated Clinical Governance particularly, in meeting its legal and statutory duties as set by the Department of Health and delegated authorities such as NHS England & Improvement and the Care Quality Commission.
The post holder will have a leadership role, working closely with the Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Medical Officer to create an environment which promotes and supports safety for our patients staff and visitors; enabling the trust to provide the right care for patients and that the experience of service users and their carers is included in our learning agenda. The post holder will also work closely with the Company Secretary and the corporate risk and governance team, to ensure that elements of clinical governance align with corporate governance and matters of compliance and risk are assured and triangulated.
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 postholder will ensure that there are effective monitoring processes in place, Ward to Board integrated reporting that will promote effective escalation of risks and concerns that have the potential to affect patient outcomes or compliance standards.
The post holder will lead on a number of quality improvement initiatives, implementing quality, safety and risk across the organisation, including embedding of quality improvement, patient safety and clinical effectiveness initiatives across all levels of the organisation.
Please refer to attached JD and Person Specification for full role and responsibility.
Person specification
Knowledge & Skills
Essential criteria
1. Educated to degree level or equivalent professional level in any relevant clinical discipline
2. Registered nurse, midwife or other healthcare professional
3. In-depth knowledge and understanding of clinical issues within an acute setting
4. Post-graduate management qualification, quality/clinical governance or leadership or equivalent experience
5. Master’s degree or equivalent experience
6. High level of knowledge and expert knowledge of risk and all aspects of clinical governance and application at a senior level
Desirable criteria
7. Senior Leadership training including NHS programmes or equivalent experience
Experience
Essential criteria
8. Experience of leading significant change
9. Quality governance management experience at a senior level
10. Experience in leading major transformation programmes
11. Managing complex relationships in a matrix environment
12. Significant experience of leadership, management and operating at or close to Director level
13. Significant expertise in healthcare regulation and response, developed through substantial experience in managing complex regulatory environments
14. In-depth working knowledge and experience of integrated governance, risk management, and assurance gained over an extended period of time
15. Proven credibility with regulators and external stakeholders
16. Effective relationship management demonstrated with experience of working successfully with senior clinical professionals with demonstrable outcome and impact.
Communication Skills
Essential criteria
17. Highly developed communication, negotiation, and influencing skills
18. Ability to present complex information to a range of audiences
19. Skilled in conflict resolution and partnership working
20. Confidence and ability to challenge colleagues
Desirable criteria
21. Experience of media engagement
22. Presentations at critical, large scale/high profile events e.g. scrutiny/challenge summits, consultations, conferences
People Management and Development
Essential criteria
23. Highly developed leadership skills
24. Ability to inspire, motivate and hold others to account
25. Experience of managing performance, change, and complex people issues
26. Evidence of leading successfully on complex professional issues
Desirable criteria
27. Coaching or mentoring qualification
Analytical and Judgement Skills
Essential criteria
28. Highly developed analytical and judgement skills
29. Ability to interpret complex data and make sound decisions
Planning and Organising Skills
Essential criteria
30. Strategic thinker
31. Ability to plan over short, medium, and long-term timescales
32. Ability to manage competing priorities
Freedom to Act
Essential criteria
33. Ability to make autonomous decisions on complex issues, often under pressure
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
34. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
35. 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