Band 7 Senior Nurse for Complex Care in London

Job summaryLead, Inspire, TransformAn exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and ambitious senior nursing leader to join Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust as Head of Nursing for Surgery at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. This is a pivotal leadership role within our Surgical Directorate, offering the opportunity to influence strategic decision-making, drive quality improvement and lead the delivery of outstanding surgical care across a diverse portfolio of inpatient, outpatient and perioperative services. As Head of Nursing, you will provide professional, operational and strategic nursing leadership, ensuring the highest standards of patient care, safety, quality and experience. Working closely with the Clinical Director, General Manager, Matrons and multidisciplinary teams, you will play a key role in shaping and delivering the Directorate's vision, supporting service transformation and achieving excellence in clinical outcomes. This role is ideal for an inspirational and compassionate leader who thrives in a complex environment and is passionate about developing services, supporting staff and achieving the best outcomes for patients. Main duties of the jobProvide strategic and professional nursing leadership across Surgical Services. Ensure the delivery of safe, effective, responsive and high-quality patient care. Lead on nursing quality, patient safety, safeguarding, patient experience and clinical governance. Drive continuous improvement and innovation across surgical pathways and services. Support the development and implementation of directorate and Trust-wide strategies and objectives. Work collaboratively with medical, operational and corporate colleagues to improve performance and patient outcomes. Lead workforce planning, recruitment, retention and succession planning initiatives. Foster a culture of compassionate leadership, inclusion, accountability and continuous learning. Ensure effective management of quality indicators, regulatory requirements and performance standards. Champion evidence-based practice, research, education and professional development. Lead and support service redesign programmes that enhance efficiency, productivity and patient experience. About usPlease refer to the Applicant Guide via the link below for key information:- Applying to LGT Guide - Key Information for ApplicantsOur people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations: Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership developmentWidening access (anchor institution) and employabilityImproving the experience of staff with disabilityImproving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and developmentMaking equalities mainstreamDetailsDate posted24 August 2026Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 8cSalary 79,504 to 91,609 a year per annum ContractPermanentWorking pattern Full-time Reference number197-R-LC8652Job locationsQueen Elizabeth HospitalQueen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Trust, Stadium RoadLondonSE18 4QHUnited KingdomJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesCurrent NMC registration. Significant senior leadership experience within acute hospital services, ideally within Surgery or an associated clinical specialty. A proven track record of leading quality improvement, service transformation and operational performance. Strong experience in clinical governance, patient safety and workforce leadership. The ability to influence and build effective relationships across multidisciplinary teams and organisational boundaries. Excellent communication, leadership and organisational skills. Experience of managing complex change within a large healthcare organisation. A commitment to staff wellbeing, inclusion and professional development. Educated to Master's level or equivalent senior leadership experience, with evidence of ongoing professional development. Job description Job responsibilitiesCurrent NMC registration. Significant senior leadership experience within acute hospital services, ideally within Surgery or an associated clinical specialty. A proven track record of leading quality improvement, service transformation and operational performance. Strong experience in clinical governance, patient safety and workforce leadership. The ability to influence and build effective relationships across multidisciplinary teams and organisational boundaries. Excellent communication, leadership and organisational skills. Experience of managing complex change within a large healthcare organisation. A commitment to staff wellbeing, inclusion and professional development. Educated to Master's level or equivalent senior leadership experience, with evidence of ongoing professional development. Person Specification Qualifications and Training EssentialPost graduate training in Clinical Specialty, or Business or NHS Management in progress or completedFormal education to first degree level or equivalent abilityRN part 1Master's degree or equivalent ability/evidence of skill Experience EssentialMinimum 3 years operational management in an acute NHS Trust, including senior level experience & management of specialist services Person Specification Qualifications and Training EssentialPost graduate training in Clinical Specialty, or Business or NHS Management in progress or completedFormal education to first degree level or equivalent abilityRN part 1Master's degree or equivalent ability/evidence of skill Experience EssentialMinimum 3 years operational management in an acute NHS Trust, including senior level experience & management of specialist servicesDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).Employer detailsEmployer nameLewisham and Greenwich NHS TrustAddressQueen Elizabeth HospitalQueen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Trust, Stadium RoadLondonSE18 4QHUnited KingdomEmployer's websiteEmployer detailsEmployer nameLewisham and Greenwich NHS TrustAddressQueen Elizabeth HospitalQueen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Trust, Stadium RoadLondonSE18 4QHUnited KingdomEmployer's website