Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital

Divisional Director of AHP and Nursing - DTC

The closing date is 06 April 2026

Job summary

An exciting opportunities has arisen for a bold, forward thinking, enthusiastic senior Nurse/AHP clinical leader.

This is your opportunity to shape services across the University Hospitals Liverpool Group Diagnostic Treatment centre, championing clinical excellence and drive innovation that genuinely changes patient outcomes.

We are looking for an inspiring and motivated Nurse/AHP leader who is committed to consistent delivery of high standards of compassionate care, with the ability to challenge and influence practice.

Main duties of the job

As the Divisional Director for Nursing and AHPs for the Diagnostic Centre you will be responsible for the strategic, professional and operational leadership across a portfolio of services. Working with the Director of Nursing and the Divisional Triumvirate to deliver high quality safe and person-centred care and supporting the wellbeing of our teams.

About us

As the largest single site specialist heart and chest hospital in the UK, we, at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, have a clear vision 'to be the best cardiothoracic integrated healthcare organisation'.

We provide specialist services in cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, respiratory medicine both in the hospital and out in the community.

We serve a catchment area of 2.8 million people, spanning Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man, and increasingly we receive referrals from outside these areas for highly specialised services such as aortics.

Our reputation for strong performance is important in delivering the best care for our patients and high quality clinical services. This is underpinned by a culture of research and innovation, delivered in modern estate and our encouragement of flexible working in a variety of forms.

Please visit our website - https://www.lhch.nhs.uk/

Please follow this link for a tour of our site - https://bit.ly/36ylsoq

Details

Date posted

23 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8d

Salary

£91,342 to £105,337 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

410-COR-7883561

Job locations

Liverpool Heart and Chest NHS Foundation Trust and Broadgreen Hospital

Liverpool

L143PE


Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of Nursing the post holder will be an integral member of the Divisional Senior Management Team and will be responsible for the delivery of the Divisions nursing strategy in conjunction with the Trusts overall strategy.

The Divisional Director will work with Divisional Medical Director and Divisional Director of Operations to drive operational performance and planning within the Division. The post holder will work closely with other Divisions, Executive / Corporate Directors, and external partners in order to achieve Trust objectives and make a positive contribution to the provision of health services across the local economy.

Specifically, the Divisional Director is accountable for:

  • The leadership and line management of the Divisions senior nursing staff, including their recruitment, selection, supervision, direction, performance management and appraisal/ continuing professional development.
  • The budgets for all clinical pay spend, to include bank and agency staff costs and controls and also clinical non-pay.
  • Providing comprehensive leadership to support the progression, development, and positive reputation of the clinical professionals within the diagnostic treatment centre.
  • Active development and improvement of professional and corporate standards, policies, and procedures.
  • Active support and leadership as a senior officer of the Trust in relation to the overall business of the organisation
  • Responsible for the delivery of the Divisions strategy in conjunction with the Trusts overall strategy.

Working closely with the Divisional Medical Director and Divisional Director of Operations, the post holder is responsible and accountable for providing comprehensive and robust professional leadership, guidance, advice, support, and direction to the clinical professional across the Division in order to ensure that patients are managed and cared for efficiently and effectively.

The Post holder is expected to work in accordance with the objectives agreed with the Director of Nursing for the leadership of the profession and the respective Divisional Medical Director and Director of Operations to support operational performance. Within this, the Post holder is expected to practice in a way that enables him/her to use initiative, exercise autonomy and make decisions whilst ensuring that the Divisional Medical Director and Director of Operations are informed and updated as appropriate.

The Post holder will provide a highly visible, accessible, and authoritative presence in order to support the delivery of the Trusts overall objectives and service priorities.

Key Responsibilities

The Post holder is expected to lead and manage the operational Allied health professional and nursing function of the Division to the highest professional standards.

The Post holder will ensure that self and others work in the best interest of patients, carers, families and the wider organisation and practice within the professional standards and codes of conduct.

Work in accordance with the strategic direction, objectives and policies, protocols, procedures, and guidelines of the Trust.

As an ambassador of the Trust, ensure that self and others represent and practice to the highest professional standards at all times.

Take every reasonable step to maintain and develop own knowledge, skills and competence and make the Director of Nursing aware of any professional limitations or concerns.

The post holder will provide active and transformational leadership and deliver personal, service, and corporate objectives.

Support the professional groups of AHP and Nursing to ensure that staff work to the full requirements and potential of their roles and grades and develop accordingly.

Work closely with peers and Divisional teams to ensure that nursing resources are utilised efficiently and effectively in order to meet both clinical and non-clinical priorities.

Work to ensure the safety and well-being of patients, service users and colleagues, taking any necessary corrective action as appropriate to prevent any deterioration in service standards, or to the safety and welfare of patients and staff.

Develop positive working relationships with other clinicians and managers to ensure that the organisation is at the forefront of best professional practice and service delivery.

Support the delivery of the Quality Strategy for the Division and any other appropriate care standards audits or successor arrangements, including participation in all regulatory assessments and reviews.

Work with the other Divisional teams to improve the ways information is sourced and used to evidence and improve care delivery and outcomes.

Be a resource for all staff on professional and operational matters.

Be actively involved with service lines to ensure that the needs of patients and service users are met reasonably, and their views and opinions are sought and used appropriately, particularly to inform improvements in practice and care.

The post holder is required to provide, receive, and analyse highly complex, sensitive and/or contentious information. This will be at both individual and group levels and will be in verbal, written or presentation formats and on a variety of subjects ranging from professional/clinical issues to human resource and operational issues. This will include producing high quality written reports, including contributing to Trust Board reports, on behalf of the Divisional team and Director of Nursing as required.

The Post holder will be expected to provide professional advice, support, challenge, scrutiny, and decision making as required or where necessary to clinical professional and other directors, senior managers, and staff across the Division.

Attending meetings (including those at director and Board level), seminars, hearings, briefings, investigations both within the external to the Trust as required.

The post holder will utilise his/her extensive experience as a nurse to support staff to deliver high quality, efficient and effective patient care.

The post holder is expected to utilise their professional and expert knowledge, experience, and training in the execution of this role to provide sophisticated professional advice, support, scrutiny, and decision making as required or where necessary.

Promotes the use of evidence to support the delivery of modern and appropriate care.

Maintains own professional knowledge and competence in order to meet professional registration standards and the requirements of the role.

Uses sophisticated leadership techniques to challenge practice standards and influence constructive and positive change.

Analyses complex issues, information and situations and takes any necessary corrective action.

Provides comprehensive advice and support to senior colleagues in dealing with complex concerns, complaints, clinical and critical incidents, including chairing hearing panels and leading on investigations.

Where appropriate provides professional support and advice to the Heads of Therapies (Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Orthotics, Speech & Language Therapy and Dietetics).

Utilises high level literacy, numeracy, and analytical skills in the compilation of reports and the management of information/data.

Provides leadership, advice and support within the Divisions and Service Lines/Speciality teams on business and workforce planning matters relevant to nursing.

Takes responsibility for leading the senior Clinical workforce within the Division, ensuring completion of quality appraisals and utilisation of Trust HR policies where appropriate. Lead in planning and implementing any necessary changes to clinical practice and ways of working to enhance/improve patient care.

Plans and facilitates discussions and debates with professional colleagues at all levels to address professional and service challenges and problems.

Organises the annual programmes and timetables for the corporate senior nurse forum.

Interprets relevant national and professional policy and translates these into actions for implementation locally, where appropriate.

Responsible for a range of policy implementation and policy or service development within the Division

Responsible, on behalf of the Director of Nursing for leadership and delivery of the Trusts Nursing Strategy within the Division.

Works with the Divisional Triumvirate, colleagues within the Trust and with partners across health and social care to ensure that patient care services are developed and managed seamlessly, particularly when

transferring care from one provider to another or when receiving patients from other organisations.

Supports the development of the annual business plan for their respective division.

Works with the Director of Nursing, and other Directors to develop modern and innovative workforce strategies that realise the best use of the nursing workforce, new roles and that realises its full potential in line with the Trusts workforce plan.

Makes a major contribution to the evolution of the newly merged Trust and its subsequent operation with particular regard to the provision of high quality and reputable nursing care into the future.

Supports the Division to ensure the development of enhanced working relationships and great joint working with the higher education institutes.

Responsible for ensuring that all information used and accessed is managed, utilised, and stored/archived effectively.

Accountable for ensuring that patient confidentiality is maintained throughout all information systems/sources and in accordance with corporate/national policy and professional standards.

Manages complex and large amounts of data and is able to summarise this into easy-to-understand summaries/reports.

Please see attached JD for further details.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of Nursing the post holder will be an integral member of the Divisional Senior Management Team and will be responsible for the delivery of the Divisions nursing strategy in conjunction with the Trusts overall strategy.

The Divisional Director will work with Divisional Medical Director and Divisional Director of Operations to drive operational performance and planning within the Division. The post holder will work closely with other Divisions, Executive / Corporate Directors, and external partners in order to achieve Trust objectives and make a positive contribution to the provision of health services across the local economy.

Specifically, the Divisional Director is accountable for:

  • The leadership and line management of the Divisions senior nursing staff, including their recruitment, selection, supervision, direction, performance management and appraisal/ continuing professional development.
  • The budgets for all clinical pay spend, to include bank and agency staff costs and controls and also clinical non-pay.
  • Providing comprehensive leadership to support the progression, development, and positive reputation of the clinical professionals within the diagnostic treatment centre.
  • Active development and improvement of professional and corporate standards, policies, and procedures.
  • Active support and leadership as a senior officer of the Trust in relation to the overall business of the organisation
  • Responsible for the delivery of the Divisions strategy in conjunction with the Trusts overall strategy.

Working closely with the Divisional Medical Director and Divisional Director of Operations, the post holder is responsible and accountable for providing comprehensive and robust professional leadership, guidance, advice, support, and direction to the clinical professional across the Division in order to ensure that patients are managed and cared for efficiently and effectively.

The Post holder is expected to work in accordance with the objectives agreed with the Director of Nursing for the leadership of the profession and the respective Divisional Medical Director and Director of Operations to support operational performance. Within this, the Post holder is expected to practice in a way that enables him/her to use initiative, exercise autonomy and make decisions whilst ensuring that the Divisional Medical Director and Director of Operations are informed and updated as appropriate.

The Post holder will provide a highly visible, accessible, and authoritative presence in order to support the delivery of the Trusts overall objectives and service priorities.

Key Responsibilities

The Post holder is expected to lead and manage the operational Allied health professional and nursing function of the Division to the highest professional standards.

The Post holder will ensure that self and others work in the best interest of patients, carers, families and the wider organisation and practice within the professional standards and codes of conduct.

Work in accordance with the strategic direction, objectives and policies, protocols, procedures, and guidelines of the Trust.

As an ambassador of the Trust, ensure that self and others represent and practice to the highest professional standards at all times.

Take every reasonable step to maintain and develop own knowledge, skills and competence and make the Director of Nursing aware of any professional limitations or concerns.

The post holder will provide active and transformational leadership and deliver personal, service, and corporate objectives.

Support the professional groups of AHP and Nursing to ensure that staff work to the full requirements and potential of their roles and grades and develop accordingly.

Work closely with peers and Divisional teams to ensure that nursing resources are utilised efficiently and effectively in order to meet both clinical and non-clinical priorities.

Work to ensure the safety and well-being of patients, service users and colleagues, taking any necessary corrective action as appropriate to prevent any deterioration in service standards, or to the safety and welfare of patients and staff.

Develop positive working relationships with other clinicians and managers to ensure that the organisation is at the forefront of best professional practice and service delivery.

Support the delivery of the Quality Strategy for the Division and any other appropriate care standards audits or successor arrangements, including participation in all regulatory assessments and reviews.

Work with the other Divisional teams to improve the ways information is sourced and used to evidence and improve care delivery and outcomes.

Be a resource for all staff on professional and operational matters.

Be actively involved with service lines to ensure that the needs of patients and service users are met reasonably, and their views and opinions are sought and used appropriately, particularly to inform improvements in practice and care.

The post holder is required to provide, receive, and analyse highly complex, sensitive and/or contentious information. This will be at both individual and group levels and will be in verbal, written or presentation formats and on a variety of subjects ranging from professional/clinical issues to human resource and operational issues. This will include producing high quality written reports, including contributing to Trust Board reports, on behalf of the Divisional team and Director of Nursing as required.

The Post holder will be expected to provide professional advice, support, challenge, scrutiny, and decision making as required or where necessary to clinical professional and other directors, senior managers, and staff across the Division.

Attending meetings (including those at director and Board level), seminars, hearings, briefings, investigations both within the external to the Trust as required.

The post holder will utilise his/her extensive experience as a nurse to support staff to deliver high quality, efficient and effective patient care.

The post holder is expected to utilise their professional and expert knowledge, experience, and training in the execution of this role to provide sophisticated professional advice, support, scrutiny, and decision making as required or where necessary.

Promotes the use of evidence to support the delivery of modern and appropriate care.

Maintains own professional knowledge and competence in order to meet professional registration standards and the requirements of the role.

Uses sophisticated leadership techniques to challenge practice standards and influence constructive and positive change.

Analyses complex issues, information and situations and takes any necessary corrective action.

Provides comprehensive advice and support to senior colleagues in dealing with complex concerns, complaints, clinical and critical incidents, including chairing hearing panels and leading on investigations.

Where appropriate provides professional support and advice to the Heads of Therapies (Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Orthotics, Speech & Language Therapy and Dietetics).

Utilises high level literacy, numeracy, and analytical skills in the compilation of reports and the management of information/data.

Provides leadership, advice and support within the Divisions and Service Lines/Speciality teams on business and workforce planning matters relevant to nursing.

Takes responsibility for leading the senior Clinical workforce within the Division, ensuring completion of quality appraisals and utilisation of Trust HR policies where appropriate. Lead in planning and implementing any necessary changes to clinical practice and ways of working to enhance/improve patient care.

Plans and facilitates discussions and debates with professional colleagues at all levels to address professional and service challenges and problems.

Organises the annual programmes and timetables for the corporate senior nurse forum.

Interprets relevant national and professional policy and translates these into actions for implementation locally, where appropriate.

Responsible for a range of policy implementation and policy or service development within the Division

Responsible, on behalf of the Director of Nursing for leadership and delivery of the Trusts Nursing Strategy within the Division.

Works with the Divisional Triumvirate, colleagues within the Trust and with partners across health and social care to ensure that patient care services are developed and managed seamlessly, particularly when

transferring care from one provider to another or when receiving patients from other organisations.

Supports the development of the annual business plan for their respective division.

Works with the Director of Nursing, and other Directors to develop modern and innovative workforce strategies that realise the best use of the nursing workforce, new roles and that realises its full potential in line with the Trusts workforce plan.

Makes a major contribution to the evolution of the newly merged Trust and its subsequent operation with particular regard to the provision of high quality and reputable nursing care into the future.

Supports the Division to ensure the development of enhanced working relationships and great joint working with the higher education institutes.

Responsible for ensuring that all information used and accessed is managed, utilised, and stored/archived effectively.

Accountable for ensuring that patient confidentiality is maintained throughout all information systems/sources and in accordance with corporate/national policy and professional standards.

Manages complex and large amounts of data and is able to summarise this into easy-to-understand summaries/reports.

Please see attached JD for further details.

Person Specification

Person Specification

Essential

  • First level registration Registered AHP/ HCPC / NMC
  • Degree level qualification or equivalent in relevant discipline
  • Evidence of education to Master's level or equivalent experience
  • Significant evidence of post registration continued professional development
  • Evidence of Leadership Development

Desirable

  • Post-graduate/registration Management or Training qualification /equivalent

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Significant management and leadership experience to including experience of working at a senior level
  • Demonstrable experience of leading clinical innovation or leading change within clinical practice
  • Demonstrable experience in , workforce planning, managing resources budgetary and financial management
  • Demonstrable experience in development of Nursing/ therapies as professional in their practice
  • Evidence of relevant involvement in meeting the Trust Quality and Patient Safety objectives
  • Evidence of making operational judgements involving highly complex facts/ situations
  • Demonstrate the ability to maintain high standards of care and team management over a sustained period.
  • Evidence of networking ,working effectively across organisational and professional boundaries
  • Research experience
  • Recent and extensive clinical, managerial and leadership credibility and experience
  • Recent experience of managing complex professional matters/issues
  • Financially astute/business-aware
  • Understanding and appreciation of diversity
  • Key issues and pace of change facing the NHS nationally and locally, assess and describe impact on the nursing professions and services.
  • Principles and impact of the NHS Constitution

Desirable

  • Knowledge and understanding of governance arrangements and standards in the NHS and the wider health and social care economy
  • Knowledge and understanding of computerised financial, management, budgetary management, and workforce information systems

Personal Skills and Qualities

Essential

  • Ability to function effectively at Trust Board and equivalent level
  • Demonstrate leadership and management skills
  • Ability to lead and manage complexity and unpredictability, to make difficult decisions and to solve problems
  • Ability to self-start and prioritise own workload and that of others
  • Ability to manage resources effectively (esp. financial and human)
  • Ability to work collaboratively and strategically
  • Systematic and analytical
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Excellent presentation skills in both verbal and written forms
  • Evidence of effective working relationships
  • Highly developed problem-solving skills
  • Competent with basic IT skills (word processing, spreadsheets etc)
  • Good verbal and report writing skills
  • Skilled negotiator
  • Patient focused
  • Committed to the positive leadership and development of nursing, midwifery, and allied health professionals
  • Professional maturity
Person Specification

Person Specification

Essential

  • First level registration Registered AHP/ HCPC / NMC
  • Degree level qualification or equivalent in relevant discipline
  • Evidence of education to Master's level or equivalent experience
  • Significant evidence of post registration continued professional development
  • Evidence of Leadership Development

Desirable

  • Post-graduate/registration Management or Training qualification /equivalent

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Significant management and leadership experience to including experience of working at a senior level
  • Demonstrable experience of leading clinical innovation or leading change within clinical practice
  • Demonstrable experience in , workforce planning, managing resources budgetary and financial management
  • Demonstrable experience in development of Nursing/ therapies as professional in their practice
  • Evidence of relevant involvement in meeting the Trust Quality and Patient Safety objectives
  • Evidence of making operational judgements involving highly complex facts/ situations
  • Demonstrate the ability to maintain high standards of care and team management over a sustained period.
  • Evidence of networking ,working effectively across organisational and professional boundaries
  • Research experience
  • Recent and extensive clinical, managerial and leadership credibility and experience
  • Recent experience of managing complex professional matters/issues
  • Financially astute/business-aware
  • Understanding and appreciation of diversity
  • Key issues and pace of change facing the NHS nationally and locally, assess and describe impact on the nursing professions and services.
  • Principles and impact of the NHS Constitution

Desirable

  • Knowledge and understanding of governance arrangements and standards in the NHS and the wider health and social care economy
  • Knowledge and understanding of computerised financial, management, budgetary management, and workforce information systems

Personal Skills and Qualities

Essential

  • Ability to function effectively at Trust Board and equivalent level
  • Demonstrate leadership and management skills
  • Ability to lead and manage complexity and unpredictability, to make difficult decisions and to solve problems
  • Ability to self-start and prioritise own workload and that of others
  • Ability to manage resources effectively (esp. financial and human)
  • Ability to work collaboratively and strategically
  • Systematic and analytical
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Excellent presentation skills in both verbal and written forms
  • Evidence of effective working relationships
  • Highly developed problem-solving skills
  • Competent with basic IT skills (word processing, spreadsheets etc)
  • Good verbal and report writing skills
  • Skilled negotiator
  • Patient focused
  • Committed to the positive leadership and development of nursing, midwifery, and allied health professionals
  • Professional maturity

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital

Address

Liverpool Heart and Chest NHS Foundation Trust and Broadgreen Hospital

Liverpool

L143PE


Employer's website

https://www.lhch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital

Address

Liverpool Heart and Chest NHS Foundation Trust and Broadgreen Hospital

Liverpool

L143PE


Employer's website

https://www.lhch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Executive Assistant - Director of Nursing

Debbie Ellison

Debbie.Ellison@lhch.nhs.uk

01516001339

Details

Date posted

23 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8d

Salary

£91,342 to £105,337 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

410-COR-7883561

Job locations

Liverpool Heart and Chest NHS Foundation Trust and Broadgreen Hospital

Liverpool

L143PE


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)