Chief Nurse

This is a rare opportunity for a dynamic, compassionate and person-centred nurse leader to deliver real impact for children and families. In Scotland, three children die from a life-shortening condition every week. CHAS provides unwavering care for children who may die young, and their families. Our team includes nurses, doctors, AHPs, social workers and family support specialists. They work across two children’s hospices, in community settings and in hospitals in deep partnership with NHS staff.

We are seeking a Chief Nurse to lead the delivery of our nursing services across all these settings. Reporting to the Director of Nursing and Family Support, you will lead a team of approximately 180 nursing staff working in all parts of Scotland. You will inspire nurses to deliver exceptional care every day. You will work closely and collaboratively with NHS Boards, HSCP’s and other organisations to plan seamless wrap-around care, which helps some of the most vulnerable families in Scotland. Following a planned retirement and organisational restructure, this is a new role in a new structure. It offers a chance to join CHAS in a senior nursing role, set to shape the future of paediatric palliative care across Scotland.

About You

You will be an experienced nurse leader with a track record of delivering positive change across health care systems. Your experience will include:

• Having significant experience leading nursing teams
• Strong knowledge of Clinical Governance and Regulation, workforce planning, safe staffing and quality improvement
• Proven ability to deliver on organisational targets
• Excellent communication, influencing, and partnership skills
• Commitment to staff wellbeing, compassionate leadership, and clinical supervision
• The ability to lead multidisciplinary teams with courage and compassion

We are particularly interested in hearing from children’s nurse leaders, but this role is open to nurse leaders from all backgrounds.

Why CHAS?

For families we support, time is precious. This is an opportunity to lead a team that makes extraordinary things happen every day. In 2024, CHAS launched our 2024–2028 Strategic Plan, setting out our vision to provide unwavering care to children who may die young, and to their families, at every step of their journey. Our work is grounded in three core fields of care:

• Learning that your child is seriously ill and may die young
• Living well
• Dying well and bereavement

As Chief Nurse, you will play a pivotal leadership role in bringing this strategy to life - shaping practice, developing people, and ensuring the highest standards of safe, compassionate and effective care.

• Broad and impactful role: Representing CHAS nationally as an expert nurse leader, building strategic partnerships to influence policy, promote best practice, and enhance CHAS’s impact
• Flexibility: Your primary base will be either Rachel House in Kinross or Robin House in Balloch, with regular travel between both hospices. CHAS provides care and support to children and families across Scotland with staff bases in Aberdeen and Inverness. This role will require travel to all CHAS sites, including clinical settings and office locations, as well as attendance at external events. Flexibility is essential, and business mileage expenses will be reimbursed. As a family‑friendly organisation, we recognise that flexibility works both ways, and we will support a balanced and adaptable approach to working hours and locations wherever possible.
• Professional Growth: You will work with healthcare leaders in a visible role where you will be encouraged and supported to excel and develop your skills.
• Holidays: 35 days annual leave, increasing progressively to 40 days after five years’ service. For applicants coming from an existing NHS post, your current service-based enhanced annual leave entitlement will be honoured, up to 40 days (CHAS maximum entitlement).
• Pension: Continued membership of the NHS Scotland Pension Scheme or the opportunity to join the Local Government Pension Scheme for Scotland, administered by Lothian Pension Fund.
• Comprehensive benefits: Including generous annual leave and pension, incremental salary progression, life assurance, employee assistance programme, access to Blue Light and Perkbox discount schemes, health and wellbeing support.

Further Information and How to Apply

If you are excited by this role we would love to hear from you! Follow the link to find more information including:

• Our Recruitment Pack which provides further detail on working for CHAS, the role purpose and impact, job description and the recruitment process.
• Contact details to arrange an informal chat with the hiring manager.
• Contact details for support with the recruitment process.

To apply you will be asked to answer a couple of questions and submit your CV or complete our full application form. This post is subject to a Disclosure Scotland Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) check. Provisional interview date of 25 March. Interviews will be held in Robin House in Balloch.