University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279) – Ward Manager (Band 7)
Location: Worthing Hospital, UHSussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Worthing, BN11 2DH, United Kingdom.
Posting Date: 05 June 2026. Closing Date: 21 June 2026.
Job Summary
Are you ready to take the next step in your neonatal career and lead a team that makes a real difference to families every single day? If so, a fantastic opportunity has arisen to join our team as the Band 7 Ward Manager leading our Special Care Baby Unit at Worthing.
Beeding Ward is a Level 1 neonatal unit with 2 HDU and 10 special care cots, caring for babies from 31+6 weeks gestation. We are proud to be part of the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Neonatal ODN, working closely with a wide network of passionate, skilled professionals. In this role, you’ll step into a position where your leadership truly matters. You will shape the daily experience of families and staff, collaborate across a diverse MDT, and play a central role in driving the quality and delivery of neonatal care.
Main Duties
The Ward Manager will be an integral member of the divisional management team supporting the division in delivering all key performance targets. The role includes providing effective professional nursing leadership, proactive resource management, maintaining a clean environment, and ensuring best practice in infection control while treating patients with dignity and respect.
Job Responsibilities
* Lead and articulate clear standards of care for the clinical area, including nurse‑to‑patient ratios and acuity & dependency factors.
* Lead by example in the clinical setting, maintaining professional behaviour and communications at all times.
* Demonstrate clinical competence in the speciality area managed.
* Ensure a caring and compassionate environment and maintain visibility in the clinical area.
* Supervise and support nurses, mentor Band 6 staff to model expected behaviour and standards.
* Proactively communicate with patients and relatives about condition, experience and discharge plans to provide leadership and advocacy.
* Review Family & Friends survey scores and discuss with the team to ensure improvements and good practice recognition.
* Respond effectively and empathetically to patient complaints, providing written responses and inclusive team learning.
* Demonstrate a consistent and empowering leadership style.
* Support the harm‑free care agenda and lead care within the area.
* Provide nursing reports at Directorate meetings, highlighting key activity or concerns.
* Present risks relevant to the clinical area at site Quality and Safety meetings.
Visa Sponsorship
The role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route, subject to UKVI requirements, skill and salary thresholds, and role‑specific criteria.
We welcome applications from those who hold a current UK NMC registration. Applicants with overseas nursing qualifications who require sponsorship are not presently directly hiring.
Qualifications – Essential
* Registered Nurse / Registered Sick Children’s Nurse
* Qualified in Neonatal specialty
* Teaching and assessment (mentorship) qualification
* Previous Band 6 experience in an acute neonatal area
* Graduate or Diploma level study
* Experience in a senior role within a neonatal unit
* Significant and relevant post‑registration experience
Qualifications – Desirable
* Previous experience in ward management
* NLS certification
* Post‑graduate certificate in training and education to Masters level or equivalent
* Leadership / Management course
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
* Evidence of championing diversity in previous roles.
* Evidence of undertaking own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
The role is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, requiring disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) for any previous convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must hold current UK professional registration. For further information, please see the NHS Careers website.
Remuneration
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 per annum. Permanent contract, full‑time compressed hours.
Contact Information
Ward Sister, Abigail Seal – abigail.seal@nhs.net – 01903285184.
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