Lead Nurse Newborn Services (SM MCS)

The closing date is 10 June 2026.

Provide visible leadership monitoring professional high standards and provide professional development of nurses and AHP's at all levels within the Clinical Group. Be an integral part of the Divisional Management Team within Newborn Services, in the delivery of key objectives related to NMAHP, to the Division and to the Clinical Group. Lead on improvement work streams and projects aligned to the delivery of the Trust strategy aims within the Clinical Group. Support the "One MFT" clinical leadership approach by working collaboratively with multi‑professional colleagues. Work in collaboration with Trust corporate colleagues supporting relevant agendas building for research and innovation within the Clinical Group.

Who Should Apply

We are seeking experienced nursing leaders currently working at Band 8a or above, who:

• Have a proven track record of delivering high standards of governance, safety, and service improvement.
• Demonstrate inclusive, compassionate leadership and an ability to inspire teams.
• Are ready to contribute to Clinical Group priorities and shape the future of nursing and AHP's in the Maternity and Newborn Services Division.

Main duties of the job

The Lead Nurse will support the Head of Nursing in the professional development of nurses and allied health professionals (AHP) at all levels within the Clinical Group and will champion and embed a culture of quality improvement, research and innovation (R&I), ensuring that all services are of high quality now and in the future. The Lead Nurse will provide clinical and professional leadership and line management to nursing and allied health professional (AHP) staff across the Care Division. The post holder will be accountable to the Care Division's Head of Nursing, providing visible leadership across a clinical service setting, monitoring and maintaining professional high standards. The post holder is an innovative and dynamic practitioner committed to delivering high standards of patient care, with a focus on quality, patient safety and compliance and patient experience. The post holder will also participate in the delivery of clinical governance and any regulatory and/or statutory requirements pertinent to the Care Division. The Lead Nurse will be an integral member of the Care Division management and senior nursing team, providing support to implement and monitor progress on delivery of the Trust strategy and objectives within the Care Division. The post holder will support the Head of Nursing in defining the Care Division's nursing and AHP objectives to meet Trust strategic aims ensuring that quality standards and statutory and regulatory requirements are met.

Diversity Matters

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• First level registration (RN Child or equivalent).
• Neonatal Qualification in Speciality.
• Current NMC registration or registered with another professional body where applicable and appropriate.
• Educated to Degree/Master's level or equivalent training and experience.
• Teaching qualification or equivalent experience.
• Evidence of relevant study and continuing professional development.
• Operational management experience at Matron level or above.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the professional development agenda in the NHS.
• Evidence of implementing and managing change using service improvement methodologies to improve services or patient experience.
• Understanding of the principles and practice of performance improvement and key performance indicators.
• Experience in management of staff in line with Human Resources policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of regulatory and NHS strategy which impacts on education provision and experience of developing strategies to address changes.
• Experience in delivering research and development in practice.
• Experience in delivering service changes which require staff consultation processes.

Training and Experience

• Knowledge and experience of clinical audit.
• Knowledge and understanding of NHS Long Term Plan and implications for clinical leadership development.
• Current knowledge of relevant professional and NHS Policy Initiatives.
• Experience in managing projects to identified milestone and budget allocation.
• Ongoing recent evidence of leading clinical innovation or leading change within clinical practice.
• Effective leadership skills in relation to managing staff with ability to motivate and develop others.
• Experience of business planning.
• Proven achievement in developing policy and service objectives, establishing and implementing innovative solutions.

Skills and Abilities

• Evidence of strong leadership skills, demonstrated in the Paediatric Critical Care setting.
• Strategic thinker.
• Ability to make decisions in a pressured environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience in interdisciplinary working/communication.
• Initiative, planning and finishing skills evidence.
• Ability to produce reports, action plans, both written and verbal, with the ability to persuade and influence.
• Ability to ensure a balance between empowering others to act and holding to account in order to achieve agreed targets and objectives.
• Ability to work at a strategic level representing the trust to external stakeholders.
• Ability to implement organisational change including the development of effective teams.
• Evidence of managing project budgets and providing reports in line with project milestones.

Attributes

• Enthusiasm and inspirational skills.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and human rights.
• Appreciation of and astuteness in political issues.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills.
• Team leader/player.

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.

£66,582 to £77,368 a year Per Annum / pro rata