At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformative healthcare initiatives and shape the future of NHS Wales workforce.
- Company: Join Health Education and Improvement Wales, a key player in NHS transformation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with significant influence and career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on healthcare quality and workforce sustainability in Wales.
- Qualifications: Masters level qualification and extensive experience in healthcare leadership required.
The predicted salary is between 110448 - 110448 £ per year.
Main area: Nursing & Midwifery
Grade: NHS AfC: Band 8d
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week (An agile working model to allow flexibility between home and office-based working.)
Employer: Health Education and Improvement Wales
Site: Ty Dysgu, Cardiff
Salary: £95,773 - £110,448 per annum
Salary period: Yearly
Closing date: 17/09/2026 23:59
We are committed to promoting inclusion at HEIW and we welcome applications from everybody recognising the value that diversity brings to our workforce.
To work in the UK, candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals require sponsorship via a Skilled Worker Visa, unless they have permission to work via another route. Please note that HEIW does not currently hold a licence to appoint skilled workers from overseas by sponsoring them to work in the UK. If successful, candidates from outside of the UK or ROI would be responsible for obtaining their own sponsorship or visa to enable them to work for HEIW.
Job overview:
Lead today’s transformation. Shape tomorrow’s NHS Wales workforce. Are you an accomplished senior healthcare professional with the vision, credibility and determination to transform the NHS Wales workforce? We are looking for a strategic leader with highly developed communication skills. Someone who can challenge the status quo constructively, turn transformational ideas into action, and support NHS Wales to develop a workforce that is sustainable, adaptable, innovative and focused on the needs of the people of Wales.
This is an exceptional opportunity to join Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) in a highly influential national leadership role. As Deputy Director of Nursing, Health Professions and Quality, you will help shape and drive an ambitious programme of change across nursing, midwifery, allied health professions and healthcare science—delivering demonstrable improvements in quality, safety, efficiency and performance.
Main duties of the job:
- This is a significant and influential senior leadership role, offering the opportunity to work strategically across NHS Wales and make a lasting contribution to the future shape, sustainability and effectiveness of the healthcare workforce.
- The role will lead, support and drive major workforce transformation programmes across professions that respond to national priorities and deliver demonstrable value, impact and improvement in quality, safety, efficiency and performance across NHS Wales.
- Reporting directly to our Executive Director of Nursing, Health Professions and Quality, you will work at the very heart of national workforce strategy.
- You will turn policy and strategic ambition into practical action, leading major transformation programmes that respond to the current and future needs of NHS Wales.
- This is an opportunity to bring together strategy, innovation and delivery in a role with national reach.
- Working alongside the Associate Directors of Professions, you will bring together professional expertise, workforce intelligence and innovative thinking to develop new workforce models and ways of working.
- You will also provide senior operational leadership across the directorate, oversee a complex transformation portfolio and deputise for the Executive Director as required.
Working for our organisation:
Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) is the strategic workforce body for NHS Wales with statutory functions that include education and training, workforce planning, workforce development and transformation, leadership and succession planning, and careers. Our purpose is to develop a workforce that delivers excellent care to patients/service users and excellent population health.
Our Values:
- Respect for All in every contact we have with others.
- Ideas that Improve: Harnessing creativity and continuously innovating, evaluating and improving.
- Together as a Team: Working with colleagues across NHS Wales and with partner organisations.
HEIW received the HPMA Award for Employee Engagement in 2019.
What you can expect:
- A corporate induction and 90 day Welcome itinerary.
- A meaningful values based performance appraisal process.
- The opportunity to impact upon health and social care services and the lives and wellbeing of the people of Wales.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities: [CONTENT NOT AVAILABLE]
Person specification:
Qualifications and Knowledge:
- Masters level qualification within the relevant field, or possess the equivalent experience, skills and knowledge.
- Extensive specialist knowledge over a range of disciplines, e.g. clinical services, information systems, research & development finance and HR services.
- Professional registration with the NMC/HCPC or healthcare science regulatory bodies.
Experience:
- Knowledge/experience in workforce forecasting/modelling and workforce redesign.
- Experience in leading teams successfully at a senior level.
- Experience of implementing workforce transformation projects.
- Experience of working across organisational boundaries with a range of stakeholders.
- Demonstrable experience of identifying, building and maintaining relationships and partnerships with key stakeholders to deliver workforce transformation.
- Experience of developing and presenting business cases.
- Experience of working at a UK level on workforce transformation.
- Experience across clinical and/or social care.
Skills and Attributes:
- Evidence of analytical reasoning and effective decision-making skills for dealing with complex data.
- Highly developed communication skills, written and verbal.
- Effective influencing and negotiating skills, including experience of positively influencing senior staff, including clinicians, managers and directors.
- Ability to build and develop constructive and effective partnership working relationships.
- IT literacy and Standard keyboard skills.
- Decisive Thinker.
- Evidence of effective leadership skills, team development skills and ability to develop others.
- Ability to challenge the status quo to progress workforce transformation.
- A commitment to continuing professional development.
Other:
- Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner to meet All Wales Service requirements.
- Role-models the values and behaviours of the organisation.
- A commitment to compassionate leadership and creating a compassionate workplace.
- Welsh Language Skills are desirable levels 1 to 5 in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing in Welsh.
It is essential that your application demonstrates how you meet the job description / person specification for this post.
Deputy Director of Nursing, Health Professions and Quality in Cardiff employer: Health Education and Improvement Wales
Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead strategic workforce planning within the NHS. With a strong commitment to employee development, HEIW fosters a collaborative work culture that values innovation and foresight, ensuring that staff are equipped with the skills and knowledge to meet future healthcare demands. Located in Wales, employees benefit from a supportive environment that prioritises work-life balance and community engagement, making it a rewarding place to contribute to the health sector.
Contact Details:
Health Education and Improvement Wales Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Director of Nursing, Health Professions and Quality in Cardiff
✨Tap into Local Healthcare Networks
Getting involved with local healthcare communities is a game-changer for nursing roles. Join nursing associations or attend local events and workshops where you can meet fellow professionals and potential employers. It’s all about building those connections – your next full-time gig could be just a chat away!
✨Showcase Your Skills in Real-Life Settings
Consider volunteering at clinics or hospitals if you can squeeze in some time. Not only does this help you gain practical experience, but it also shows your commitment to patient care. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to network and potentially land a full-time role at a facility you enjoy!
✨Use LinkedIn like a Pro
Make your LinkedIn profile pop by highlighting your nursing skills prominently. Share articles, insights, or case studies that demonstrate your knowledge in patient care. Engaging with content in nursing forums can also put you on the radar of recruiters looking for full-time talent like you!
✨Direct Applications are Key!
When you spot a role that excites you, don't hold back – apply directly through our website! Tailor your application to show off how your specific experiences align with the needs at Health Education and Improvement Wales for the Deputy Director of Nursing, Health Professions and Quality role. Companies appreciate candidates who take initiative and show genuine interest!
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Director of Nursing, Health Professions and Quality in Cardiff
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Qualifications:When applying for a full-time nursing role with Health Education and Improvement Wales, it's crucial to highlight your nursing qualifications. Make sure to include any relevant certifications, such as your NMC registration and any specialisations. List them front and centre on your CV so we can see your expertise at a glance!
Craft a Compassionate Cover Letter:Your cover letter is the perfect place to express your passion for patient care. Talk about your experiences, how you handle challenging situations, and your approach to teamwork. This gives us insight not just into your skills but also into your caring nature, which is essential in nursing.
Emphasise Soft Skills:In nursing, technical skills are important, but we're also keen on soft skills. Make sure to highlight your communication abilities, empathy, and problem-solving skills. These attributes are often just as critical in delivering exceptional patient care and will help differentiate you from other candidates.
Tailor Your Experience to Patient Care:When detailing your experience, be specific about your direct patient care roles. Focus on the impact you’ve made on your patients’ lives—mention specific tasks, challenges you've overcame, or improvements you’ve contributed to. This helps us visualise you in action at Health Education and Improvement Wales, and how you can make a difference!
How to prepare for a job interview at Health Education and Improvement Wales
✨Brush Up on Clinical Scenarios
In nursing, you might face questions around patient scenarios, so sharpen your clinical judgment skills. Think through common cases—like managing a patient with specific needs or handling emergencies—and be ready to articulate your approach confidently.
✨Showcase Your Soft Skills
Beyond technical skills, nursing is all about communication and empathy. Prepare to share examples from your experiences that highlight your ability to connect with patients and work effectively in a team, as this is crucial for a full-time role at Health Education and Improvement Wales.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Healthcare Regulations
Make sure you're up to speed with the latest healthcare regulations and policies relevant to your role. This knowledge not only shows your commitment to patient safety but also signals that you're proactive and engaged—qualities that full-time employers like Health Education and Improvement Wales appreciate.
✨Ask AboutCareer Development Opportunities
Since this is a full-time position, show your ambition by asking how Health Education and Improvement Wales supports growth and development. Inquire about ongoing training, mentorship programmes, or opportunities to specialise in particular areas, as this illustrates your long-term interest in nursing.
