Head of Nursing
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust – Closing date: 15 January 2026.
Are you an inspiring nursing leader ready to shape the future of mental health care in Milton Keynes? We’re seeking a dynamic, visionary Head of Nursing to join the MKMH senior team. You’ll drive clinical excellence, champion innovation, and make a tangible difference to service users, families and staff across a diverse, evolving directorate.
The Head of Nursing for MKMH will provide strong professional nursing leadership across the Directorate and, in doing so, raise standards of clinical practice and the quality of care across all of the Directorate services.
Main duties of the job
Work closely with the Service Director and Clinical Director, Operational and Clinical Leads, and have a managerial role, leading the MKMH Quality Governance Team alongside key individuals within the Trust, such as the Education, Infection Control, Quality Governance, Health & Safety, and Safeguarding teams.
Be instrumental in developing and supporting the delivery of new innovative clinical models of care, driving the quality and patient experience agenda and improving clinical standards of care across all MKMH settings. This will be in line with agreed objectives, targets, quality standards, resource controls and constraints and the Nursing Strategy for MKMH services. In addition, they will play a key role within the Directorate Management Team regarding core business objectives of the Trust, about nursing and quality, including delivering on budget and key performance indicators.
Working with the Divisional Director of Nursing and their deputies, the Head of Nursing will provide senior leadership in developing safer staffing and skill mix, clinical and professional standards, and developing leadership capacity amongst the nursing workforce across MKMH services. They will advise the MKMH senior management team and broader directorate on relevant professional and clinical matters, including Physical Health in Mental Health, Infection Prevention and Non-Medical Prescribing.
About us
Why join us?
* Be part of a forward‑thinking, supportive leadership team shaping mental health nursing across Milton Keynes.
* Work in partnership across MK, the Diggory Division and our wider system – delivering safe, compassionate care and improved outcomes.
Job responsibilities
Provide strong, visible professional nursing leadership and raise clinical standards across all MKMH services.
Lead the MKMH Nursing Strategy and align it with Trust‑wide objectives; drive quality improvement, patient safety and regulatory compliance (including CQC).
Oversee clinical governance, safeguarding, workforce development and transformation; collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and with external partners.
Inspire and develop the nursing workforce embedding a culture of learning, innovation and continual professional development.
Person Specification
Experience
* Significant senior nursing management experience; proven clinical leadership in mental health
* Current experience in NHS provider organisations
* Evidence of continuing professional development and Master's‑level clinical/leadership credentials
* Track record leading large multi‑disciplinary teams and complex services; change management and quality improvement.
* Budgetary management; excellent communication and influencing skills; deep understanding of NHS policy and clinical governance.
* An understanding of the education and training arrangements for nurses and other non‑medical trainees
* Understanding of MKMH services and direction
* Ability to manage rapid and sustained change
* Understanding of relevant national policy and how this relates to the service
* Experience of working across organisational boundaries and leading significant organisational change.
Qualifications
* Current NMC First Level Registered Nurse (RMN)
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.
Address
Charles Pinfold Building, The Open University
£76,965 to £88,682 a year (pro rata if part time)
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full‑time
Reference number
333‑D‑MK‑MH‑1296
Job locations
Charles Pinfold Building, The Open University
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
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