At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire teams to deliver exceptional end-of-life care at Wheatfields Hospice.
- Company: Join Sue Ryder, a nationally recognised charity dedicated to quality palliative care.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, enhanced holiday, pension scheme, and healthcare cash plan.
- Why this job: Shape the future of hospice care and make a real difference in people's lives.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership experience in healthcare and a passion for improving patient outcomes.
- Other info: Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion with supportive workplace networks.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Salary – Depending on experience + excellent benefits
In person interviews to take place the w/c 11th of May
Be the clinical leader who shapes exceptional end-of-life care. At Sue Ryder, we believe no one should face death or grief alone. At Wheatfields Hospice, you’ll lead and develop a dedicated team, shaping and strengthening services to deliver consistently outstanding palliative and end-of-life care—when it matters most.
About us
Wheatfields Hospice is a specialist palliative care service at the heart of the Leeds community. We provide expert care, emotional support and dignity to people at the end of life, as well as support for their families. As part of Sue Ryder, you’ll join a nationally recognised charity committed to innovation, quality and person-centred care.
About the role
This is a senior clinical leadership role with real impact. You’ll:
- Lead and inspire multidisciplinary clinical teams to deliver safe, high-quality, CQC-compliant care
- Drive a culture of continuous improvement, innovation and service development
- Take ownership of clinical governance, risk, audit and quality standards
- Manage budgets, resources and service performance
- Lead transformation—developing services that meet changing patient and community needs
- Build strong partnerships with stakeholders including commissioners and regulators
- Deputise for the Regional Director of Healthcare Operations and contribute at senior leadership level
This role requires the successful candidate to become the registered manager with the Care Quality Commission and participate regularly in the on‑call rota. This is your opportunity to shape the future of hospice care locally and beyond.
About you
You’re a credible, visible clinical leader who combines compassion with strategic thinking. You will bring:
- Strong leadership experience in a healthcare setting
- A passion for improving patient outcomes and experience
- Confidence leading change, managing complexity and influencing across systems
- Deep understanding of clinical governance and quality assurance
- The ability to balance operational delivery with long‑term vision
Registered General Nurse with active UK NMC registration
Significant post‑registration clinical experience in a healthcare setting
Demonstrable experience of leading, managing or supervising clinical teams
Experience of clinical governance, audit, risk management or quality improvement
Evidence of working across multidisciplinary teams and organisational boundaries
Experience contributing to or leading service improvement or change initiatives
Strong communication and organisational skills, with ability to manage competing priorities
Understanding of healthcare regulations, standards and patient safety requirements
Competent IT skills and ability to use digital systems
Experience in palliative or end‑of‑life care
Experience managing budgets and resources
Experience engaging with external stakeholders (e.g. CQC, ICBs)
For an informal and confidential chat, please email sian.dodunski@sueryder.org
Enhanced pay for unsociable hours
Company pension scheme
Continuation of NHS pension (terms and conditions apply)
27 days holiday – rising to 33 with length of service plus bank holidays
NHS annual leave honoured (terms and conditions apply)
Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
Electric Vehicle Scheme
Healthcare Cash plan, to claim back costs of routine healthcare
Staff discount on new goods online at shop.sueryder.org
Structured induction programme and learning and development opportunities.
For more of our employee benefits please visit our website: www.sueryder.org/jobs/careers-in-palliative-care/benefits-of-working-for-sue-ryder/
Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
At Sue Ryder, we recognise that a diverse workforce allows us to provide the best care and support. We are committed to encouraging equity, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination. We welcome applications from people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, and those living with disabilities.
As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we’re proud to support the ‘Offer an Interview’ scheme. This means we will offer an interview to all disabled applicants who best meet the minimum essential criteria for the role. We use inclusive recruitment practices including sharing interview themes or questions in advance, offering remote interviews where needed, and other accessibility support. If you require support to complete an application or participate fully in the interview process, please email recruitment@sueryder.org.
Once in post you’ll have access to staff and volunteer networks for LGBTQ+ colleagues, Global Cultures, people with disabilities, and women and non-binary individuals, plus an Inclusion Passport to record and carry your workplace adjustments. For more information on our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion work, please visit: www.sueryder.org/jobs/equity-diversity-inclusion
Join us in creating a culture where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to thrive.
Head of Clinical Services in Leeds employer: Sue Ryder
Contact Detail:
Sue Ryder Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Clinical Services in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Sue Ryder and Wheatfields Hospice, their values, and their approach to palliative care. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn, attend relevant events, or join online forums. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral—always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how your experience aligns with the role's requirements, especially around leadership and clinical governance. Practise your responses so you can communicate your passion and expertise confidently.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Sue Ryder and making a real impact in end-of-life care.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Clinical Services in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for palliative care shine through. We want to see how much you care about improving patient outcomes and experiences, so share your personal motivations and experiences that drive you.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Head of Clinical Services. Highlight your leadership experience, clinical governance knowledge, and any relevant achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire teams in a healthcare setting.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, you can find more information about the position and our amazing benefits there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sue Ryder
✨Know Your Clinical Governance
Make sure you brush up on your understanding of clinical governance and quality assurance. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented these in previous roles, as this will show your depth of knowledge and commitment to high standards of care.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your leadership experience and how you inspire multidisciplinary teams. Think of specific examples where you've led change or improved patient outcomes, as this will demonstrate your capability to drive a culture of continuous improvement.
✨Understand the Community Needs
Familiarise yourself with the local community and the specific needs of patients at the end of life. Being able to articulate how you would adapt services to meet these needs will highlight your strategic thinking and person-centred approach.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Be prepared to discuss your experience in building partnerships with stakeholders like commissioners and regulators. Share examples of how you've successfully engaged with external parties to enhance service delivery, as this is crucial for the role.