Job summary
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced and compassionate nursing leader to join our Neurosciences Division as Neurosurgical Matron. This is a pivotal role providing visible, professional leadership across our neurosurgical services, ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality, and patient-centered care.
As Matron you will:
Provide professional and managerial leadership for the nursing teams under your line management, providing a highly visible and authoritative presence ensuring the provision of high quality, responsive services with the needs of the patient at the center of care delivery.
Work in partnership with the Operational and the Divisional Senior Management Team to ensure effective and efficient management of your clinical areas to meet agreed targets within the resources available.
Be accountable for all clinical and non-clinical aspects of quality within the service.
Maintain a visible presence where patients, staff and visitors can turn for assistance and upon whom they can rely to ensure that the fundamental and specialist aspects of care are met.
Support the Senior divisional nurse by leading and developing nurses and nursing practice.
Lead on the development and implementation of the daily operational systems and process for the divisional nursing team, in collaboration with the wider leadership within and external to the division. For example patient flow management senior clinical nurse of the day bleep holder.
Main duties of the job
o Lead the delivery of nursing care across neurosurgical areas, holding senior nurses to account and supporting improvement where neededo Provide operational management support to ensure standards are monitored, maintained, and enhancedo Act as a visible clinical leader, promoting psychological safety and embedding Trust values of kindness, safety, and excellenceo Oversee workforce planning, appraisals, and safe staffing, ensuring compliance with professional standards and governanceo Manage nursing budgets and contribute to divisional financial planningo Support education, audit, and research, fostering a positive learning environment for staff and studentso Lead service improvement initiatives, care pathway development, and modernisation programmeso Champion equality, diversity, and inclusion across all aspects of care delivery
About us
Come Nurse with us...
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the country. It comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital. We provide accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge and regional and national specialist services. It's a great place to nurse, work and live.
You will work on a vibrant hospital campus with a friendly community feel; we have excellent facilities to practise your skills and abilities to support your career pathway and development. Our values of Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent support the delivery of outstanding care. We have a fully electronic patient record system that is improving health-care quality; this is transforming services, improving patient safety and clinical outcomes.
Why choose Cambridge University Hospitals?
o Our values and reputation for outstanding careo Opportunities to experience a range of specialitieso Career and development opportunitieso Preceptorship and mentoring programmes delivered by a dedicated clinical education support teamo Research experience and opportunitieso Lovely location and quality of lifeo Excellent schools/colleges and transport links (road, rail and air)
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:- applied for a Graduate visa- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start
For NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough based roles, all applicants from NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who have identified that they are at risk of redundancy will be prioritised over those not at risk. However, interviews cannot be guaranteed.
This vacancy will close at midnight on 9 November 2025
Interviews are due to be held in the week commencing 17 November 2025
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:- applied for a Graduate visa- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start
For NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough based roles, all applicants from NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who have identified that they are at risk of redundancy will be prioritised over those not at risk. However, interviews cannot be guaranteed.
This vacancy will close at midnight on 9 November 2025
Interviews are due to be held in the week commencing 17 November 2025
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Current and relevant NMC registration
- Teaching and assessing qualification
- Degree in health-related subject
- Evidence of continuous professional development
- Management/Leadership training
- Masters or willingness to undertake
Desirable
- After Action review facilitator
- Patient safety investigator training
- Quality Improvement training
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience managing a ward / unit
- Broad senior clinical and managerial experience
- Success in working collaboratively across professions and services
- Demonstrable success in managing change
- Experience with the introduction of evidence-based practice
- Project management
- Quality improvement experience i.e. setting standards, audit cycles and improvement
- Operational management of the day, including patient flow.
Desirable
- Experience obtained in more than one clinical setting.
- Experience in undertaking or supporting research projects
Knowledge
Essential
- Clinical practice and demonstrable knowledge of developments in nursing policy and practice
- Good understanding of risk and clinical governance
- Understanding of wider NHS policy
- The importance of successful partnership working
- Lifelong learning, professional education and training
- Workforce planning, recruitment and retention
Desirable
- Experience in operationalising strategies.
Skills
Essential
- Highly effective leadership skills and ability to motivate
- Excellent communications skills (interpersonal, negotiation, liaison, written and presentation skills)
- Advising and influencing senior managers in relation to risk management and quality improvement
- Budget management
- Developing and implementing policies, guidelines and projects from initiation to completion
- Computer literate in basic programmes, i.e. Word, PowerPoint and Excel
- Ability to prioritise, meet tight deadlines and work independently
- Positive and effective team member and leader
Desirable
- Evidence in understanding exception reporting and report writing.
Additional Requirements
Essential
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Current and relevant NMC registration
- Teaching and assessing qualification
- Degree in health-related subject
- Evidence of continuous professional development
- Management/Leadership training
- Masters or willingness to undertake
Desirable
- After Action review facilitator
- Patient safety investigator training
- Quality Improvement training
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience managing a ward / unit
- Broad senior clinical and managerial experience
- Success in working collaboratively across professions and services
- Demonstrable success in managing change
- Experience with the introduction of evidence-based practice
- Project management
- Quality improvement experience i.e. setting standards, audit cycles and improvement
- Operational management of the day, including patient flow.
Desirable
- Experience obtained in more than one clinical setting.
- Experience in undertaking or supporting research projects
Knowledge
Essential
- Clinical practice and demonstrable knowledge of developments in nursing policy and practice
- Good understanding of risk and clinical governance
- Understanding of wider NHS policy
- The importance of successful partnership working
- Lifelong learning, professional education and training
- Workforce planning, recruitment and retention
Desirable
- Experience in operationalising strategies.
Skills
Essential
- Highly effective leadership skills and ability to motivate
- Excellent communications skills (interpersonal, negotiation, liaison, written and presentation skills)
- Advising and influencing senior managers in relation to risk management and quality improvement
- Budget management
- Developing and implementing policies, guidelines and projects from initiation to completion
- Computer literate in basic programmes, i.e. Word, PowerPoint and Excel
- Ability to prioritise, meet tight deadlines and work independently
- Positive and effective team member and leader
Desirable
- Evidence in understanding exception reporting and report writing.
Additional Requirements
Essential
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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 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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).