Deputy Chief Nurse

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Deputy Chief Nurse is a senior nursing leader within the Nursing and Quality Directorate, reporting directly to the Group Chief Nurse/Executive Director of Nursing, AHPs and Quality. The post holder provides visible, credible and compassionate professional nursing leadership across the Trust, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and high‑quality care. Working with significant autonomy, they support the Chief Nurse in driving quality improvement, professional standards, patient safety, workforce development and organisational assurance.

The role works closely with Operational Directors, Clinical Directors, Heads of Nursing and Care Delivery Pathway leadership teams to ensure nursing, quality and patient safety priorities are embedded in operational delivery and strategic planning. The Deputy Chief Nurse provides expert advice, support and constructive challenge in relation to clinical governance, risk management, safeguarding, patient experience, regulatory compliance and continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities include leading and contributing to Trust-wide quality improvement programmes; supporting robust ward‑to‑board assurance arrangements; overseeing the management of quality and safety risks; and ensuring learning from incidents, complaints, audits and patient feedback is translated into measurable improvements. The post holder contributes to Executive Management Board and senior governance forums, providing professional nursing leadership and assurance on complex issues.

The Deputy Chief Nurse acts as Deputy Director of Infection Prevention and Control, supporting the delivery of infection prevention strategies, assurance and improvement across the organisation. They also deputise for the Group Chief Nurse as required and participate in the senior on‑call rota, responding to urgent operational, quality and safety issues.

The role requires strong partnership working with internal and external stakeholders, including regulators, commissioners, system partners and education providers, while promoting a culture of inclusion, continuous learning, professional excellence and compassionate leadership.

• Registered Nurse in Mental Health (RNLD/RMN) or Registered Nurse in Learning Disabilities (RNLD) with current NMC registration and evidence of ongoing fitness to practise.

• Masters level qualification or equivalent senior leadership experience, supported by evidence of continuing professional development at strategic leadership level.

• Extensive senior nursing leadership experience within a large, complex NHS provider organisation, including experience of operating at or immediately below Executive Director level.

• Strong knowledge and experience of clinical governance, patient safety, CQC/regulatory requirements, risk management, quality improvement and board assurance arrangements.

• Proven ability to provide senior professional nursing leadership, support and challenge across multiple services/directorates, including working with Executive Directors, Operational Directors, Clinical Directors and senior leaders to improve quality, safety, patient experience and professional standards.

• Experience of formally deputising for a Chief Nurse or Executive Director of Nursing, AHPs and

• Experience as Deputy Director of Infection Prevention and Control or equivalent senior IPC leadership responsibility

• Leadership, management, QI, project management or coaching qualification

• Experience of specialist commissioning, forensic and secure services, regional/national specialist services, or complex mental health/community service environments

• Evidence of wider professional contribution, such as research, teaching, publication,…