We are seeking an exceptional visionary leader to take on the role of Director of Nursing & Quality at a time of significant transformation and innovation, as well as providing a unique opportunity to work closely with Welsh Government (WG), across NHS Wales, with local authorities and wider public bodies, and other stakeholders.
As Director of Nursing & Quality, you will provide strategic leadership, operational excellence and inspire a culture of continuous improvement across Quality, Safety and Improvement at NHS Wales Performance and Improvement and our other functions. You will be directly accountable to the Managing Director, NHS Wales Performance and Improvement, for the development and effective delivery of the NHSP&I's annual work plan encompassing its broad range of work.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Main duties of the job
The Director of Nursing & Quality will provide strategic, system-wide leadership for quality, safety and continuous improvement across NHS Wales, ensuring compliance with national legislation, frameworks and regulatory requirements, and embedding a culture of learning, assurance and high‑quality care.
They will contribute to national performance and improvement leadership, providing expert clinical advice, monitoring quality and safety performance, overseeing escalation where required, and producing high‑level reports to support effective governance and delivery of Ministerial priorities.
As the senior professional nursing and midwifery leader, the post holder will provide strategic, operational and professional leadership aligned with Chief Nursing Officer priorities, holding accountability for safeguarding, infection prevention, patient experience, nurse staffing and regulatory relationships.
The role will lead national quality, safety and improvement programmes, supporting service redesign and transformation, building improvement capability across the system, and fostering strong partnerships with improvement bodies, academic institutions and national and international networks.
The Director of Nursing & Quality will lead and develop a high‑performing, inclusive workforce; manage financial, digital and physical resources effectively; champion innovation and data‑driven improvement.
About us
NHS Wales Performance & Improvement (formerly the NHS Wales Executive) has an important and valuable role in the delivery of key Welsh Government priorities:
• To support NHS Wales to deliver better health services for patients and the public
• To support Ministers to hold NHS Wales to account for the provision of health services
Since its inception in April 2023, strong foundations have been put in place within NHS Wales Performance & Improvement (NHS P&I) – including a more joined‑up and informed approach between policy development and operational NHS delivery, and improved coordination and collaboration across whole systems and pathways. Building on this foundation, NHS P&I aims to be an acknowledged centre of excellence in its field, efficient and responsive to the needs of both NHS Wales and Ministers, supporting best practice, and streamlining accountability.
NHS P&I will support the NHS by providing:
* Improvement services
* Value and sustainability support
* Clinical expertise in service improvement, drawing on the best in Wales
NHS P&I will support Ministers by providing:
* Performance management support
* Planning advice
* Advice to Welsh Government on use of powers of directions and intervention
For guidance on the application process, please visit https://phw.nhs.wales/working-for-us/applicant-information-and-guidance/
Job responsibilities
JOB PURPOSE
The Director of Nursing and Quality will provide expert insight, support and clinical advice, with the experience and skills to direct measurable and sustained improvement for NHS Wales by effective and strategic clinical leadership. The post holder will be key to achieving NHS Performance & Improvement strategy and vision and will be at the forefront of developing and driving measurable improvement through a structured process to support quality and safety systems and culture, together with financial and structural sustainability.
The role focuses on enhancing patient quality and safety, productivity, continuous improvement, and sustainability, through the delivery of the CNO Strategic Vision for Nursing and Midwifery (2025–2030) by ensuring high standards of effectiveness across NHS Wales. The post holder will leverage their extensive experience, gained in senior clinical leadership and NHS Board‑level roles, to drive a strong quality and safety culture, as well as providing professional leadership for nurses and midwives within NHS Wales Performance & Improvement.
The Director of Nursing and Quality will act as a clinical ambassador for NHS Wales Performance & Improvement across the system, with medical and therapy colleagues, through direct and distributed leadership approaches. In effectively discharging this role the post holder has experience of managing a comprehensive and complex portfolio relating to quality and safety, that includes effective governance, an understanding of regulatory assurance, clinical outcomes and effectiveness, quality improvement and learning systems, together with nursing and midwifery leadership at scale.
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, the postholder will operate with high levels of autonomy, authority and credibility, and will play a pivotal role in maintaining system confidence and assurance for Welsh Government and other stakeholders.
The postholder will be a member of the Senior Directors Group within NHS Wales Performance and Improvement, working as part of a cohesive executive team with shared accountability for the strategic leadership and operational direction of the organisation. Together, the Senior Directors Group will ensure the effective delivery of national priorities, aligned to the Welsh Government Mandate and the annual Remit Letter, and support consistent, high‑quality performance and improvement across NHS Wales.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Strategic Leadership for Quality, Safety and Improvement
Lead and shape the strategic direction for quality and safety of care across NHS Wales, ensuring alignment with the Health and Social Care (Quality and Engagement) (Wales) Act 2020, the National Clinical Framework for Wales, the Quality and Safety Framework, and relevant legislative and regulatory requirements.
Lead a coordinated, system‑wide strategy for patient quality and safety that ensures care is safe, cohesive, coordinated, and delivers improved outcomes within available resources.
Support the implementation and embedding of effective Quality Management Systems across NHS Wales organisations, in line with the Duty of Quality Statutory Guidance and Quality Standards.
Drive a culture of continuous improvement, quality assurance, and learning to enable the highest standards of patient care and safety outcomes across NHS Wales.
2. System Leadership and Accountability
Fully contribute to NHS Wales Performance & Improvement strategic leadership, governance arrangements and collective accountability for the delivery of Ministerial and Welsh Government priorities.
Provide expert clinical leadership to support NHS Wales and the wider care system to improve quality, safety, efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability, patient outcomes and staff well‑being.
Monitor key performance indicators relating to quality, safety and service effectiveness, ensuring compliance with the NHS Wales Performance Framework and triggering escalation where required.
Oversee the production of high‑level quality and safety reports for Senior Directors Group (SDG), Executive Delivery Team (EDT) and Quality Delivery Board (QDB).
3. Professional Nursing and Midwifery Leadership
Provide expert, high‑calibre professional nursing leadership to support providers and systems to deliver and commission high‑quality care in line with A Healthier Wales.
Provide strategic, operational and professional leadership and management of Nurses and Midwives within NHS Wales Performance & Improvement, aligned with the priorities of the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) and Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Ministerial priorities, and organisational mandates and remit letters.
Act as professional lead within NHS Wales Performance & Improvement for:
* Corporate Safeguarding
* Infection Prevention and Control
* Peoples Experience
* Public and Patient Involvement
* Putting Things Right
* Continuing Health Care
* All‑Wales Nurse Staffing Programme
* Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) relationships
4. Quality, Safety and Improvement Programmes
Formally lead NHS Wales Performance & Improvement Quality and Safety programmes and functions.
Provide expert clinical input and facilitation for quality and safety improvement initiatives and programme delivery aligned to NHS Wales Performance & Improvement priorities.
Hold individual responsibility for high‑priority national development programmes including collaborative programmes delivered with partner organisations to support service transformation.
Support NHS Wales organisations to redesign and continuously improve services, with a focus on reducing avoidable harm and improving safety within systems of care.
5. Improvement Capability, Partnerships and Learning
Sustainably build improvement capability across NHS Wales Performance & Improvement and NHS Wales, fostering a culture of quality, safety and continuous improvement.
Establish and maintain strong relationships with quality improvement organisations nationally and internationally, promoting the sharing of good practice and participation in improvement networks.
Actively seek and develop partnerships with academic institutions in Wales and beyond to advocate for the inclusion of quality improvement in professional education and curricula.
6. Management of Resources
The post holder will ensure effective planning, allocation and oversight of financial resources in line with organisational priorities and statutory requirements.
They will be accountable for managing the departmental budget, ensuring adherence to financial controls, appropriate documentation for scrutiny, and delivery of value for money and efficiency, operating within recurrent financial balance year on year.
They will also ensure the effective management of physical and technological resources, maintaining compliance with organisational standards, policies and governance requirements.
7. Workforce / Staff Management
The post holder will provide strategic leadership and direction for the workforce within the directorate, ensuring effective recruitment, development and retention of staff.
They will create a positive and inclusive working environment that supports staff engagement, wellbeing and professional development, enabling individuals and teams to perform at their best.
The role will include leading succession planning and talent management, promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, and ensuring fair treatment, opportunity and accountability for all staff.
Lead Nurses and Midwives within NHS Wales Performance & Improvement to deliver clinical and operational excellence. Providing mentorship, coaching and professional support to diverse multidisciplinary teams.
8. Leadership of Teams
The post holder will provide strong, visible and compassionate leadership to multi‑disciplinary teams, fostering a high‑performing, collaborative and innovative culture. They will inspire and motivate others to work towards shared goals, valuing diversity, encouraging inclusive working and promoting collective responsibility for outcomes.
They will demonstrate values‑based leadership in high‑pressure environments, modelling behaviours that balance support with appropriate challenge. This will enable continuous improvement while maintaining clear accountability for performance, quality and standards of care.
The role requires setting clear objectives, monitoring progress and ensuring the effective delivery of strategic and operational priorities. The post holder will encourage cross‑organisational and system‑wide collaboration, breaking down silos and building strong relationships to achieve shared outcomes.
As a role model for NHS values, ethical leadership and professional behaviours, the post holder will actively support the development of leadership capability and capacity across teams and services. They will promote a culture of learning, openness and continuous improvement across NHS Wales, enabling staff to develop, innovate and deliver high‑quality services.
9. Clinical Engagement and Matrix Working
Operate effectively within a matrix management model, utilising specialist expertise and ensuring strong clinical engagement and coordination across NHS Wales Performance & Improvement.
Bring expert clinical knowledge to support organisational priorities and ensure patient safety and quality remain central to all areas of business.
10. Policy Advice and External Engagement
Support the Chief Nursing Officer for Wales by providing robust, professional and clinically relevant advice to Welsh Government.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Experience
* Qualified nurse or midwife with current professional registration and evidence of up‑to‑date continuing professional development
* Significant senior executive clinical leadership experience at Executive, system or national level within healthcare or a similarly complex public sector environment.
* Clinically credible and able to make effective decisions, underpinned by evidence, with vast experience in the NHS.
Knowledge
* Strong understanding and experience of healthcare governance, risk management, and regulatory frameworks.
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.
Salary dependent on experience.
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