Surgical Ward Manager​/Inpatient Service Manager

Surgical Ward Manager / Inpatient Service Manager – Leading Private Hospital

Southampton, Hampshire

Are you an experienced Nurse with solid leadership and management experience who is looking to lead from the front?

Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where teamwork, clinical excellence, and patient‑centred care are at the heart of everything you do?

Compass Associates are proud to be working with a leading hospital group, who are currently in search for an exceptional Inpatient Service Manager to lead their Surgical and Orthopaedic Ward. This is a pivotal leadership role — guiding a 55‑strong team through its next phase of stability, growth and cultural strengthening following a major ward merger.

This is not a desk‑based management post. We are looking for a visible, compassionate leader who will spend significant time on the ward floor, building trust, modelling excellence and shaping a positive, high‑performing culture.

• Lead a clinically complex surgical and orthopaedic ward managing hip, knee and spine procedures, abdominal exenteration, stomas, plastics, gynaecology and urology cases.
• Shape and stabilise a team transitioning from a period of change into a confident, high‑functioning service.
• Combine hands‑on clinical leadership with strategic governance and operational management.
• Work within a structured and supportive leadership framework including 4 week intensive induction, 1:1 support with the Deputy Director of Clinical Services and 9‑month structured objective setting for sustained development

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Clinical Services, you will:

• Provide visible, compassionate and credible clinical leadership on the ward floor.
• Lead a team of approximately 55 staff including a Deputy Manager, 4 Team Leaders, Registered Nurses and Healthcare Assistants.
• Oversee governance, investigations, complaints management and CQC compliance.
• Drive quality improvement, audit and performance initiatives.
• Lead change management and service development.
• Manage staffing, workforce planning and departmental budgets.
• Champion a patient‑centred approach to complex surgical care.
• Build trust and morale within a team that values accessibility and authentic leadership.

• Registered Nurse with active NMC registration.
• Right to Work in the UK
• Band 7 level experience, experience working as a Ward Manager / Inpatient Service Manager will be advantageous but we are happy to consider those looking for a step up
• Strong surgical and/or orthopaedic background
• Proven experience leading teams through change.
• Demonstrable experience managing investigations, complaints and CQC compliance.
• Experience managing performance and conducting appraisals.
• A leadership style rooted in care, compassion and staff engagement.
• Ability to balance ward presence with governance and operational responsibilities.
• Postgraduate qualification in leadership or management will be advantageous

If you are an experienced Ward Manager ready to take full ownership of a complex, high‑profile inpatient service — and you believe compassionate leadership drives clinical excellence — we would love to hear from you.

In return, there is a generous salary on offer of up to £55,000. They have an amazing benefits package including:

• Opportunities for funded courses
• Generous overtime enhancements
• 35 days Annual Leave (including Bank Holidays) which increase with length of service
• Private Medical Cover
• Free Eye Tests
• Health Assessments
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Life Assurance
• Enhanced Sick Pay
• Maternity, Paternity & Adoption Leave
• Free parking

Compass Associates Ltd is acting as a recruitment Consultancy for this permanent vacancy; we offer £200 John Lewis vouchers for each successful recommendation/ referral.

If you would like to be considered for this exciting opportunity, please contact Rachel Smith direct on . Alternatively, you can email an updated CV to