Job summary
Join us at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust as our Deputy Chief Nurse for Professional Leadership and Clinical Standards and help shape the future of nursing, midwifery and AHP practice across our organisation.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an inspirational and values-driven professional leader to work alongside the Executive Chief Nurse and senior clinical leaders to drive excellence in patient care, professional practice and workforce development. You will provide visible leadership to our nursing, midwifery and AHP workforce, championing the highest standards of compassionate, evidence-based care whilst creating an environment where colleagues can thrive, develop and achieve their full potential.

As one of two Deputy Chief Nurses, you will lead strategic programmes that strengthen professional standards, education, career pathways, advanced practice, safeguarding, safe staffing and the care of vulnerable groups. You will play a pivotal role in delivering our Nursing and Midwifery Strategy, influencing at a senior level and working in partnership across the Trust, wider system and national networks to improve outcomes for the communities we serve.

Banding 8D (subject to job evaluation)
to arrange a visit/call please contact Barb Crozier
Tel: 01325 743565
Email: bcrozier@nhs.net

Main duties of the job
As Deputy Chief Nurse for Professional Leadership and Clinical Standards, you will provide visible, compassionate and credible leadership to nursing, midwifery and allied health professional teams across the Trust. You will lead the delivery of our Nursing and Midwifery Strategy, shaping the future workforce through education, career development, leadership programmes and advanced practice pathways.

Working closely with the Executive Chief Nurse, Deputy Chief Nurse for Clinical Quality, Care Group leaders and professional leads, you will champion the highest standards of professional practice, accountability and patient care. You will provide strategic oversight of key corporate nursing portfolios, including safeguarding, infection prevention and control, safe staffing, vulnerable groups and professional standards. Working as part of the Chief Nurse Leadership Team, you will influence quality, professional practice and workforce development across the organisation, building strong partnerships and enabling nurses, midwives and AHPs to flourish and achieve the best possible outcomes for patients and communities

About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

Details
Date posted 02 September 2026
Pay scheme Other
Salary £94,356 to £108,814 a year per annum pro rata (Subject to Evaluation)
Contract Permanent
Working pattern Full-time
Reference number C9439-2627-RP-N203-1
Job locations Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust, Hollyhurst Road, Darlington, County Durham, DL3 6HX, United Kingdom; University Hospital Of North Durham, North Road, DURHAM, DH1 5TW, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

• Provide strategic and professional leadership across the Trust, ensuring NMAHP contributions support the achievement of Trust objectives and the delivery of high-quality patient care.
• Holds leadership and oversight of key corporate nursing portfolios including Infection Prevention and Control, Safeguarding, Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act, Learning Disabilities and Autism, Dementia, Practice Education, falls prevention, Chaplaincy services and Safe Staffing.
• Provides line management and professional leadership to senior nursing leaders, Heads of Service and specialist teams within the corporate nursing portfolio.
• Provides expert professional advice and assurance to the Executive Chief Nurse, Executive Team and Trust Board on matters relating to nursing and midwifery practice, professional standards, workforce capability and vulnerable patient groups.
• Holds delegated responsibility for agreed staffing and budgetary resources and contributes to the effective management of Trust resources.
• Represents the Trust at local, regional and national forums and develops effective partnerships with external organisations, regulators and professional bodies.
• Communicates highly complex, sensitive and contentious information, exercising professional judgement and influencing a wide range of stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes.
• Lead, support and develop senior nursing leaders, Heads of Service and specialist teams within the corporate nursing portfolio, acting as a role model, mentor and coach to promote high performance and professional development.
• Ensure effective systems, processes and governance arrangements are in place to support safeguarding, patient safety, quality improvement and compliance with professional, statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Represent the Trust locally, regionally and nationally, including participation in Safeguarding Adults and Children Boards, building strong partnerships with system partners, regulators and professional bodies.
• Communicate highly complex, sensitive and contentious information, exercising sound professional judgement and influencing a wide range of stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes.
• Act in accordance with the NMC Code and uphold the highest standards of professional practice, conduct and leadership.
• Participate in the Trust's strategic on-call arrangements, deputising for the Chief Nurse as required and working across all Trust sites.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Nurse
• Master's degree in a health-related subject, leadership, management or equivalent experience
• Evidence of continuing professional development at a senior level
• Leadership and management qualification or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Executive leadership development programme (e.g. Nye Bevan, Aspiring Chief Nurse, NHS Leadership Academy programmes)
• Coaching or mentoring qualification
• Significant experience / recent and relevant CPD in safeguarding

Experience
Essential

• Significant senior nursing leadership experience at Associate Director of Nursing, Deputy Chief Nurse or equivalent level within a large, complex healthcare organisation.
• Demonstrable experience of providing strategic and operational leadership across clinical services, workforce, financial and people management portfolios.
• Experience of leading professional nursing and midwifery standards, governance, accountability and workforce development agendas.
• Proven track record of delivering quality improvement, patient safety, service transformation and organisational change programmes.
• Experience of providing professional advice, assurance and reports to Executive teams and Board committees.
• Experience of leading and developing multidisciplinary teams, promoting professional excellence and supporting the development of future leaders.
• Experience of working collaboratively with system partners, regulators, professional bodies and higher education institutions.
• Experience of managing highly complex, sensitive and contentious professional issues.

Desirable

• Experience of partnership working in relation to safeguarding, MCA, MHA and LD
• Experience in clinical audit and research

Special Requirments
Essential

• Able to travel independently across Trust sites
• Ability to participate in on-call arrangements
• Flexible approach to working to meet service requirements
• Commitment to Trust values and behaviours

Statutory Registration
Essential

• Current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
• Registered Nurse with no restrictions on practice
• NMC Revalidation maintained

Special Skills and Knowledge
Essential

• Extensive knowledge of professional nursing standards, governance and regulation
• Detailed understanding of NMC Code, HCPC requirements and professional accountability frameworks
• In-depth knowledge of workforce planning, education, preceptorship, succession planning and career pathways
• Knowledge of safe staffing principles and relevant NHSE guidance
• Knowledge of safeguarding legislation, MCA, MHA, Learning Disability and Autism policy frameworks
• Knowledge of infection prevention and control standards and regulatory requirements
• Understanding of quality improvement methodology, patient safety and clinical effectiveness
• Knowledge of current NHS policy, national nursing agenda and healthcare regulation
• Excellent leadership, influencing and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to analyse complex information and translate into strategic action
• Excellent communication, presentation and report-writing skills
• Strong negotiating and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to work autonomously and exercise sound professional judgement

Desirable

• Involvement in regional/national groups
• Experience of leading on policy development and implementation
• Level 3 Safeguarding Adults and Children

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).

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.