Surgical Ward Manager / Inpatient Service Manager – Leading Private Hospital
Please read the information in this job post thoroughly to understand exactly what is expected of potential candidates.
£50,000-£55,000 plus Free Parking, Private Medical Cover & More!
Full-Time, Permanent, 37.5 Hours per Week
Southampton, Hampshire
Are you an experienced Nurse with solid leadership and management experience who is looking to lead from the front?
Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where teamwork, clinical excellence, and patient-centred care are at the heart of everything you do?
Compass Associates are proud to be working with a leading hospital group, who are currently in search for an exceptional Inpatient Service Manager to lead their Surgical and Orthopaedic Ward. This is a pivotal leadership role — guiding a 55-strong team through its next phase of stability, growth and cultural strengthening following a major ward merger.
This is not a desk-based management post. We are looking for a visible, compassionate leader who will spend significant time on the ward floor, building trust, modelling excellence and shaping a positive, high-performing culture.
Why This Role is Different
* Lead a clinically complex surgical and orthopaedic ward managing hip, knee and spine procedures, abdominal exenteration, stomas, plastics, gynaecology and urology cases.
* Shape and stabilise a team transitioning from a period of change into a confident, high-functioning service.
* Combine hands-on clinical leadership with strategic governance and operational management.
* Work within a structured and supportive leadership framework including 4 week intensive induction, 1:1 support with the Deputy Director of Clinical Services and 9-month structured objective setting for sustained development
The Role
Reporting to the Deputy Director of Clinical Services, you will:
* Provide visible, compassionate and credible clinical leadership on the ward floor.
* Lead a team of approximately 55 staff including a Deputy Manager, 4 Team Leaders, Registered Nurses and Healthcare Assistants.
* Oversee governance, investigations, complaints management and CQC compliance.
* Drive quality improvement, audit and performance initiatives.
* Lead change management and service development.
* Manage staffing, workforce planning and departmental budgets.
* Champion a patient-centred approach to complex surgical care.
* Build trust and morale within a team that values accessibility and authentic leadership.
Requirements
* Registered Nurse with active NMC registration.
* Right to Work in the UK
* Band 7 level experience, experience working as a Ward Manager / Inpatient Service Manager will be advantageous but we are happy to consider those looking for a step up
* Strong surgical and/or orthopaedic background
* Proven experience leading teams through change.
* Demonstrable experience managing investigations, complaints and CQC compliance.
* Experience managing performance and conducting appraisals.
* A leadership style rooted in care, compassion and staff engagement.
* Ability to balance ward presence with governance and operational responsibilities.
* Postgraduate qualification in leadership or management will be advantageous
If you are an experienced Ward Manager ready to take full ownership of a complex, high-profile inpatient service — and you believe compassionate leadership drives clinical excellence — we would love to hear from you.
Salary & Benefits
In return, there is a generous salary on offer of up to £55,000. They have an amazing benefits package including:
* Opportunities for funded courses
* Generous overtime enhancements
* 35 days Annual Leave (including Bank Holidays) which increase with length of service
* Private Pension Scheme
* Private Medical Cover
* Free Eye Tests
* Health Assessments
* Cycle to Work Scheme
* Retail & Gym Membership Discounts
* Life Assurance
* Enhanced Sick Pay
* Maternity, Paternity & Adoption Leave
* Free parking
Recommendations
Compass Associates Ltd is acting as a recruitment Consultancy for this permanent vacancy; we offer £200 John Lewis vouchers for each successful recommendation/ referral. xxuwjjq
Contact Details
If you would like to be considered for this exciting opportunity, please contact Rachel Smith direct on. Alternatively, you can email an updated CV to