Closing date: 05 November 2026
Salary: £94,356 to £108,814 a year per annum, pro rata
Band: Band 8d (Agenda for change)
Working pattern: Full-time
Contract: Permanent
Location: Cross Site working - ORC, Wythenshawe & NMGH, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL
Reference number: 349-CSS-8389387-RL3

CARE YOU CAN BE PROUD OF

Whatever you're looking for in your next career move, you'll find it all at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. Bringing together hospitals and community services from across Manchester, Trafford & beyond, we're pooling our knowledge, skills and resources to provide even better care for the diverse communities of our thriving city and further. It also means more opportunities for you. With state-of-the-art facilities and strong research links, you can advance your specialism, progress your career, and take your knowledge further. We want talented people from all backgrounds to choose to join our diverse teams, and so we'll support your work-life balance with flexible and agile working options. With the best of both inner city and country living on our doorstep, you can enjoy a better quality of life too.

So why not make your best and next career move joining our team as Associate Director of Nursing for our Anaesthesia, Critical Care & Perioperative Medicine Division, part of the Clinical and Scientific Services Clinical Group across Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.

The post holder will help shape the strategic direction of professional standards, driving continuous improvement in patient care across CSS. Your leadership will nurture an environment where kindness, empathy and patient-centred care guide all that we do.

Main duties of the job

You are warmly invited to apply for the role of Associate Director of Nursing Care Division of ACCP, Clinical Group Lead for Workforce, Education and Research & Innovation.

The Associate Director of Nursing will work closely with the Divisional Triumvirate and the Director of Nursing and Healthcare Professionals, providing professional and managerial leadership to nurses across the Division, while also acting as Lead Professional for Workforce, Education and Research & Innovation for CSS. We are seeking someone who will champion a culture of compassion, respect and collaboration--ensuring every nurse feels valued, supported and empowered to deliver excellent care.

You will be accountable for advancing the nursing, quality and safety agenda in partnership with the CHoD and the DoN&HP for CSS. Your portfolio will support the objectives of the CSS DoN&HP, with a particular focus on Quality, Patient Experience, Assurance and Compliance, Infection Control, Safeguarding, Workforce and Research & Education. Above all, you will hold responsibility for the wellbeing of our people and the stewardship of our resources, ensuring that every decision reflects our shared commitment to compassionate care and the dignity of those we serve.

About us

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is a leading, integrated healthcare provider, the largest of its kind in specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, serving over 1 million people per year through our 10 hospitals and extensive community services. With a workforce of 30,000 plus, we are at the forefront of system leadership, innovation, and transformation across Greater Manchester. As a senior manager, you will play a critical role in shaping and delivering our strategic objectives. You will lead complex programmes, drive operational excellence, and influence Trust-wide transformation, working collaboratively with or through Executive and Clinical Leaders to deliver sustainable improvements for our patients, staff, and communities.

MFT offers a dynamic, inclusive environment where your leadership, vision, and expertise are valued. You will have the opportunity to lead high-impact projects, develop future talent, and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, supported by advanced digital infrastructure and a commitment to professional development.

Join us to make a lasting impact--help shape the future of our Trust, drive innovation, and deliver outstanding care for the people of Manchester, Trafford and beyond.

Job responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you'll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that you're even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, you'll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guide that sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information you'll need to be aware of before you submit an application form.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we're proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU for our patients, our communities, and each other.

As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role-specific questions, is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Diversity Matters: MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Person Specification
Qualifications, Academic & Professional (Essential)

• First level graduate registration
• Educated to Master's level or equivalent training and experience
• Teaching qualification or equivalent experience
• Evidence of relevant study and continuing professional development
• Substantial Operational management experience at Head of Nursing level or above
• Substantial post registration leadership experience
• Leadership/management qualification or equivalent experience

Qualifications, Academic & Professional (Desirable)

• Anaesthesia or Critical Care Experience/Qualification

Training and Experience (Essential)

• Knowledge and experience of clinical audit
• Proven achievement in developing policy and service objectives, establishing and implementing innovative solutions
• Knowledge and understanding of NHS Long Term Plan and implications for clinical leadership development
• Current knowledge of relevant professional and NHS Policy Initiatives
• Experience in managing projects to identified milestone and budget allocation
• Ongoing recent evidence of leading clinical innovation or leading change within clinical practice
• Effective leadership skills in relation to managing staff with ability to motivate and develop others

Training and Experience (Desirable)

• Experience of business planning
• Experience of research activities

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: Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Employer's website: https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Director of Nursing and Healthcare Professionals, Sarah Ingleby, Sarah.ingleby2@mft.nhs.uk

Date posted: 29 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Privacy notice: Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)