Job overview
Reporting to the Clinical Director and working in partnership with the General Manager, the Senior Head of Nursing is a key member or the care group management team, enabling the delivery of outstanding services in accordance with agreed objectives, targets, quality standards, controls and resource constraints as set out in the business plans for the services delivered by the care group. With specific responsibility and accountability for the leadership and management of nursing and allied health professionals across the care group.
Working with senior nursing colleagues in care groups, the divisional leadership team and corporate teams, the post holder has a key role to play in the development of the strategic vision for nursing and midwifery across the site and wider Trust. The post holder has the lead responsibility for governance in the Care Group. This includes Infection Control, Health & Safety, patient involvement, professional standards, and quality and safety.
Interviews will take place on the 26th February 2026
Main duties of the job
The Senior Head of Nursing provides the daily support and leadership for nurses and clinical support staff, ensuring patients and staff are safe, cared for and listened to. The Senior Head of Nursing will lead the development and delivery of clinical and professional standards and the development of leadership capacity within the care group. This will be in line with agreed objectives, targets, quality standards, resource controls and constraints.
The post holder will ensure that nurses and support staff provide excellent quality care with exceptionally high safety standards and treating all patients with dignity and respect.
The post holder will work with the senior nursing team/HR colleagues to ensure that they recruit and retain the best nurses and support staff – ambitious in our goal of creating a learning environment where every nurse and support staff count.
Working for our organisation
The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King’s to another level.
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
· Provide all necessary support to the overall leadership, direction and management of nursing staff within the care group, working closely with other members of the care group, leadership team, the site executive team and the executive nursing team.
· Contribute to the development and implementation of care group business plans and service strategy, paying special attention to the clinical standards and service improvements that enhance patient care, within and outside the organisation.
· Manage the delegated revenue budgets for the nursing workforce and ensure care group fiscal responsibility.
· Act as a positive role model through the provision of effective, authoritative and accessible professional leadership.
· Lead the development and implementation of standards of care and the patient experience, including for those patients that have pathways that cross care groups and sites.
· Monitor and review clinical and professional standards and in liaison with the Clinical Director for the care group, monitor and manage service performance at all levels, instituting remedial action where necessary.
· Manage and develop nursing staff within the care group, developing strong leadership potential and succession planning including leading and supporting workforce re-design aligned to an annual workforce plan.
· Represent the Trust within the NHS and community, and with other partner organisations, working closely with them to institute integrated working in the best interests of patient care.
· Lead and participate in professional and clinical committees or projects within the Trust and externally.
· Act as credible and dynamic leader in the delivery of the complex service/operational challenges and changes facing the clinical area.
· Ensure that all touch points within the entire patient pathway understand the importance of their roles, and are able to deliver the best possible patient care, where best practice is shared and celebrated.
· Joint accountability with the Clinical Director and General Manager for patient safety, clinical effectiveness, patient experience and risk management.
· Joint responsibility for the oversight, delivery and management of key performance indicators across the Care Group highlighting areas of concern and agreeing actions with teams to remedy any issues
· Overseeing the use of systems, and relevant reporting, which support better governance and greater safety and quality within the Care Group and support the delivery of a standard approach to reporting incidents ensuring this meets Trust’s requirements and promotes a learning environment where quality patient care and safety is the key priority
· Maintain own personal and professional growth, keeping up to date with changes, new ways of working and future developments.
· To participate in the silver/management on call rota.
Please see detailed job description for further information.
Person specification
Education, Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
* Registered Nurse/Midwife, 1st Level/1st Level Degree
* Masters level qualification or evidence of post graduate study (or equivalent experience
* Current NMC registration, UK
* Recent experience at senior nurse level in an acute Health Care setting
* Extensive knowledge of complex and acute (staff management/financial management and change management) including sound knowledge of public involvement
* Advanced management/leadership experience of clinical teams
* Experience of working strategically to translate strategy into operational planning and performance management
* Proven ability to manage a budget/multiple budgets
* Highly developed leadership and influencing skills
* Able to interpret complex information and take appropriate action and to provide expert advice as a result
Desirable criteria
* Service improvement and methodology training
* Proven ability to develop highly specialised programmes of care and care packages
IMPORTANT
* Check your email account regularly as this is how we will communicate with you
* If you delete the job from any of your accounts, you may be prevented from accessing further communications
* To enquire about your application or inform us of any changes in your circumstances, please contact the named person on this advert
* Please provide email addresses for referees where possible
* Please review the documentation on our recruitment microsite, particularly the Trust’s criminal records checking policy
* All staff have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and for ensuring they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
* Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. On occasion, we might close a vacancy early due to a high number of applications being received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
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King's College Hospital is part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC), a pioneering collaboration between King's College London, and Guy's and St Thomas', King's College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts.