Job summary
Director of Nursing - Brain, Heart & Lung and Sight & Sound
It is such an exciting time to be joining our Team. With the launch of our new Strategy - Together We Power Care, and the relaunch of our Values you will have an opportunity to be part of embedding change.
A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a senior nurse leader to join the clinical operational leadership team at our world -class children's hospital. We are looking for an ambitious, talented and compassionate team player who can drive excellence and innovation at senior operational level.
Main duties of the job
Working in partnership with the Chief of Service and Director of Operations, you will be responsible for the continuous improvement of the clinical services within the Directorate, with a specific focus on quality, safety, and patient experience.
The Director of Nursing will lead on the professional nursing agenda and play an integral part in workforce modernisation, promoting an inclusive environment that encourages professional and personal growth.There will be an opportunity for the postholder to take the lead in supporting the delivery of the Trust's Nursing Strategy, Safe in our Hands -to achieve joy at work.
The postholder will have a track record of leading nursing teams in a complex and dynamic environment, striving for, and achieving excellence in clinical care and patient experience whilst recognising the importance of financial and operational efficiencies.
If you are keen to join a motivated and enthusiastic team, working in a dynamic environment, then this role is for you.
If you are excited about the possibilities that these roles offer and would value an informal conversation, then you are very welcome to contact:
Tracy Luckett, Chief Nurse. tracy.luckett@gosh.nhs.uk or Martin Tisdall, Chief of Service - Brain, Heart & Lung and Sight & Sound. Martin.Tisdall@gosh.nhs.uk
We look forward to receiving your application!
About us
We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as the communities we serve, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including people with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic heritage, people with a disability, and people from LGBTQ+ communities. By growing an ever more diverse workforce, we'll have a greater range of perspectives and knowledge, meaning that we can provide the children and young people at our hospital with even better care.
Our hospital is committed to creating an environment that is open and inclusive. Our staff are encouraged to engage with colleagues through the following networks: REACH (Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage) ENABLED (Enhancing Abilities & Leveraging Disabilities Network), PRIDE and Women's networks; all of which are sponsored by a member of our Executive Management Team.
We want to ensure that all of our people, regardless of their background, are seen and heard. We want to attract applicants that share our commitment to inclusion and that understand diversity is a strength that is embraced and valued.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s below.
Application process and timelines Please submit a CV and use the supporting statement section of the application to write your covering letter, outlining your motivation for applying for this role and demonstrating how you fulfil the requirements of the job description and person specification.
For application form queries, email Karen.Eban@gosh.nhs.uk
Closing date for applications Monday, 15th December 2025 at 9:00am
Stakeholder meetings & panel interview Monday, 12th January 2026
We expect to notify successful candidates that they have been shortlisted by Friday, 19th December 2025.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s below.
Application process and timelines Please submit a CV and use the supporting statement section of the application to write your covering letter, outlining your motivation for applying for this role and demonstrating how you fulfil the requirements of the job description and person specification.
For application form queries, email Karen.Eban@gosh.nhs.uk
Closing date for applications Monday, 15th December 2025 at 9:00am
Stakeholder meetings & panel interview Monday, 12th January 2026
We expect to notify successful candidates that they have been shortlisted by Friday, 19th December 2025.
Person Specification
Academic/Professional qualification/Training
Essential
- Registered Nurse with current professional body registration (experience in caring for Children and Young People)
- Relevant First Degree
- Master's level qualification
- Evidence of recent personal and professional development pertaining to leadership
Desirable
- Coaching or mentoring qualification
GOSH Culture and Values
Essential
- Our Always values oAlways welcoming oAlways helpful oAlways expert oAlways one team
- Knowledge and understanding of diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Understanding of Diversity and Inclusion challenges in the workplace Demonstrable contribution to advancing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace
Experience/Knowledge
Essential
- Significant leadership at a senior level within the NHS and across a range of NHS settings
- Significant experience of leading and managing clinical teams
- Significant experience of modernising and redesigning a clinical workforce
- Demonstratable experience of building, maintaining and utilising successful relationships with all staff in a complex environment
- Proven experience of successful recruitment and retention initiatives
- Significant experience of operational leadership in either an acute or specialist Trust
- Evidence of successfully leading significant organisational change in developing new models of healthcare delivery
- Evidence of significant experience in leading on quality, safety and patient experience initiatives
- Demonstrable experience of working with patients and families in difficult situations
- Considerable experience in managing complex safeguarding situations.
- Proven experience of budget management
- Experience of training and development implementing evidence-based practice or nursing research in practice
- Substantial experience in managing complex employment situations
Skills/Abilities
Essential
- Highly developed communication skills combined with personal authority, confidence and integrity, with proven ability to make a positive impact at all levels
- Demonstrate the ability to be empathetic, kind and compassionate but focussed on taking difficult decisions
- Can demonstrate reflection and insight
Person Specification
Academic/Professional qualification/Training
Essential
- Registered Nurse with current professional body registration (experience in caring for Children and Young People)
- Relevant First Degree
- Master's level qualification
- Evidence of recent personal and professional development pertaining to leadership
Desirable
- Coaching or mentoring qualification
GOSH Culture and Values
Essential
- Our Always values oAlways welcoming oAlways helpful oAlways expert oAlways one team
- Knowledge and understanding of diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Understanding of Diversity and Inclusion challenges in the workplace Demonstrable contribution to advancing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace
Experience/Knowledge
Essential
- Significant leadership at a senior level within the NHS and across a range of NHS settings
- Significant experience of leading and managing clinical teams
- Significant experience of modernising and redesigning a clinical workforce
- Demonstratable experience of building, maintaining and utilising successful relationships with all staff in a complex environment
- Proven experience of successful recruitment and retention initiatives
- Significant experience of operational leadership in either an acute or specialist Trust
- Evidence of successfully leading significant organisational change in developing new models of healthcare delivery
- Evidence of significant experience in leading on quality, safety and patient experience initiatives
- Demonstrable experience of working with patients and families in difficult situations
- Considerable experience in managing complex safeguarding situations.
- Proven experience of budget management
- Experience of training and development implementing evidence-based practice or nursing research in practice
- Substantial experience in managing complex employment situations
Skills/Abilities
Essential
- Highly developed communication skills combined with personal authority, confidence and integrity, with proven ability to make a positive impact at all levels
- Demonstrate the ability to be empathetic, kind and compassionate but focussed on taking difficult decisions
- Can demonstrate reflection and insight
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).
