Director of Nursing & Quality
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 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.
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:
o Corporate Safeguarding
o Infection Prevention and Control
o People's Experience
o Public and Patient Involvement
o Putting Things Right
o Continuing Health Care
o All‑Ways Nurse Staffing Programme
o 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
Ensure effective planning, allocation and oversight of financial resources in line with organisational priorities and statutory requirements. 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. Ensure effective management of physical and technological resources, maintaining compliance with organisational standards, policies and governance requirements.
7. Workforce / Staff Management
Provide strategic leadership and direction for the workforce within the directorate, ensuring effective recruitment, development and retention of staff. Create a positive and inclusive working environment that supports staff engagement, wellbeing and professional development, enabling individuals and teams to perform at their best. Lead 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. Provide mentorship, coaching and professional support to diverse multidisciplinary teams.
8. Leadership of Teams
Provide strong, visible and compassionate leadership to multi‑disciplinary teams, fostering a high‑performing, collaborative and innovative culture. Inspire and motivate others to work towards shared goals, valuing diversity, encouraging inclusive working and promoting collective responsibility for outcomes. Demonstrate values‑based leadership in high‑pressure environments, modelling behaviours that balance support with appropriate challenge. Enable continuous improvement while maintaining clear accountability for performance, quality and standards of care.
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.
Additional Information
You can find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click "Apply now" to view on Trac.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
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