Job summaryBuckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust is inviting applications for the role of Chief Nurse, offering an outstanding opportunity for a compassionate and inclusive leader to join a high-performing NHS organisation at a pivotal moment in its development.
As an integrated provider of acute and community services, the Trust serves a population of over half a million people and employs more than 7,000 colleagues, delivering care across hospital sites, community settings and patients' homes.
This is an organisation with a strong sense of purpose and momentum. Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust has achieved significant improvements in performance in recent years, including reducing long waiting times and being recognised nationally for emergency care and frailty services. At the same time, it has maintained a deep commitment to staff wellbeing, ranking highly in national staff survey results and demonstrating a culture where people are supported to thrive.
The Trust leads the Buckinghamshire Neighbourhood Programme, as well a forward-thinking approach to embedding digital and AI in its services, whilst construction has begun on the new Wycombe Hospital building.
For further information please visit https://www.gatenbysanderson.com/job/GSe134536, or contact our recruitment partners at GatenbySanderson.Julia St ClareE: julia.stclare@gatenbysanderson.comT: +44 (0) 7807 631 564Laura Cubillo-AparicioE: Laura.Cubillo-Aparicio@gatenbysanderson.comT: +44 (0) 7586 706 878Main duties of the jobThe Trust is looking for a Chief Nurse who shares their ambitions and who is passionate about improving quality, reducing inequalities, championing professional excellence and ensuring patients' voices are at the heart of everything we do.
You will bring a strong track record of delivering improvements in quality and safety, leading large-scale cultural change, developing high-performing teams and working effectively across organisational boundaries. Just as importantly, you will be values-driven, politically astute and resilient, with the confidence to provide constructive challenge and make difficult decisions in the best interests of patients, colleagues, and communities.
This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of care across Buckinghamshire and make a lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of local communities.
About usWhy colleagues think we are "a great place to work!"?
What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?As part of our BHT family, you'll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.
Alongside NHS benefits of generous annual leave entitlement and pension scheme, you'll have access to NHS discount schemes.
We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.
What do we stand for?Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.
Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.
We are working hard to increase diversity at all levels within the trust. We believe a diverse workforce can have a positive effect on both staff wellbeing and patient outcomes.
We welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, candidates with disabilities and care-experienced candidates.
We are proud to achieve the Gold award for the Armed Forces Covenant and support applications from the Armed Forces Community. Please contact Pam.Daley@nhs.net (Armed Forces Covenant Lead) if you would like guidance or assistance with your application.
We make employment decisions by matching our service needs with the skills and experience of candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
DetailsDate posted: 11 September 2026
Pay scheme: Very senior manager (VSM)
Salary: Depending on experience per annum pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number: 434-C8288684
Job locations: Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury, HP21 8AL, United Kingdom
Job responsibilitiesFor further information please see Job Description and visit https://www.gatenbysanderson.com/job/GSe134536, or contact our recruitment partners at GatenbySanderson.
For further information please visit https://www.gatenbysanderson.com/job/GSe134536, or contact our recruitment partners at GatenbySanderson.Julia St Clare, Senior ConsultantE: julia.stclare@gatenbysanderson.comT: +44 (0) 7807 631 564Laura Cubillo-Aparicio, Senior ResearcherE: Laura.Cubillo-Aparicio@gatenbysanderson.comT: +44 (0) 7586 706 878Person SpecificationProfessional Registration- Holds current NMC registration
Skills & Experience- Suitable previous experience
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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 RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer detailsEmployer name: Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
Address: Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury, HP21 8AL, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://careers.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact detailsFor questions about the job, contact: Resourcing Project Manager, Neil Edwards, neil.edwards5@nhs.net
Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab) 
