Job summary
We are seeking a dynamic and strategic leader to head the Clinical Audit and Effectiveness function at the Northern Care Alliance.
As the Trust's subject matter expert, the post holder will champion the design and delivery of evidence-based audit programmes aligned to national standards, clinical governance, and service transformation.
Working collaboratively with senior clinical and corporate leaders, they will embed audit as a driver of quality improvement, innovation, and regulatory compliance--linking audit intelligence to NICE, PSRIF, GIRFT, risk, and research agendas.
The successful candidate will lead with vision and credibility, fostering culture change and capacity-building across the organisation. A regular on-site presence and agile leadership are essential to coordinate and inspire a responsive, system-wide approach to assurance, learning, and clinical effectiveness.
Main duties of the job
Main Duties of the Job
- Lead the Trust-wide Clinical Audit and Effectiveness Programme aligned to national standards and governance priorities
- Advise senior leaders and represent the Trust externally to influence best practice
- Oversee regulatory compliance, including national audits, NICE guidance, and Quality Account submissions
- Manage a multi-site team and build organisational audit capability through training and development
- Analyse complex data to inform service improvement and deliver high-impact reports
- Collaborate across departments to embed audit as a driver of quality and culture change
About us
The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) provides hospital and integrated health and social care services to over one million people living across Greater Manchester. Our 20,000 colleagues care for people in hospital and in the community, working across Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Salford, to save and improve lives.
As a large NHS trust we are committed to enhancing the health of our local population by delivering consistently high standards of care and working closely with local authorities and key partners. We believe in our power and potential to make a difference and we're always looking for people who demonstrate our three core values - care, appreciate and inspire - to join our team.
In return, we can offer you a job role with purpose and flexibility. The size and scale of the NCA means we can provide more challenge and opportunities so your career can always be moving in the right direction. By joining us you can also access a competitive benefits package, including, a fantastic annual leave allowance, flexible working opportunities and protected hours for health and wellbeing activities, helping you to achieve more personal downtime and a better work-life balance.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading.
You can also read more information about working at the Northern Care Alliance within the attached Candidate Information Pack or by visiting our careers website:www.careers.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk
Job description
Job responsibilities
To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading.
You can also read more information about working at the Northern Care Alliance within the attached Candidate Information Pack or by visiting our careers website:www.careers.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Master's degree in relevant field e.g. Healthcare Leadership, Public Health, or another Healthcare-related field
- Educated to degree level or equivalent certification e.g. Level 5 Diploma.
Desirable
- Working towards or achieved management qualification or degree.
- Clinical Qualification.
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience in leading clinical audit and effectiveness or quality assurance programmes within a healthcare organisation.
- Proven supervisory or line management experience.
- Demonstrable experience in delivering complex audit strategies aligned to national standards and trust-wide priorities.
Desirable
- Experience of staff recruitment, performance management, and succession planning.
Skills
Essential
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including preparing complex reports for governance committees.
- Ability to manage a multidisciplinary team across multiple sites and delegate effectively.
Desirable
- Facilitation and coaching skills to embed audit into service transformation and QI frameworks.
- Familiarity with project management principles and tools.
Knowledge
Desirable
- Knowledge of statistical methods to support audit analysis.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Master's degree in relevant field e.g. Healthcare Leadership, Public Health, or another Healthcare-related field
- Educated to degree level or equivalent certification e.g. Level 5 Diploma.
Desirable
- Working towards or achieved management qualification or degree.
- Clinical Qualification.
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience in leading clinical audit and effectiveness or quality assurance programmes within a healthcare organisation.
- Proven supervisory or line management experience.
- Demonstrable experience in delivering complex audit strategies aligned to national standards and trust-wide priorities.
Desirable
- Experience of staff recruitment, performance management, and succession planning.
Skills
Essential
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including preparing complex reports for governance committees.
- Ability to manage a multidisciplinary team across multiple sites and delegate effectively.
Desirable
- Facilitation and coaching skills to embed audit into service transformation and QI frameworks.
- Familiarity with project management principles and tools.
Knowledge
Desirable
- Knowledge of statistical methods to support audit analysis.
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).
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).