Deputy Head of Midwifery Saint Mary's Managed Clinical Service
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Closing date: 14 August 2026

Job summary
Shape a bright future for midwifery at a great hospital in a unique Trust.

This extremely exciting and challenging period in the delivery of health care in Greater Manchester provides a wealth of career opportunities for great people. Right now, we are seeking an innovative practitioner to join us as Deputy Head of Midwifery across Saint Mary's MCS.

You will bring to the role a proven commitment to improving the experience of women and families. Providing visible and inspiring leadership, you'll forge strong relationships not only across the Midwifery community of Saint Mary's but also with the specialty teams throughout the MFT. Supporting clear expectations, and actively developing education and practice, you will be instrumental in driving up standards of care along with reducing variation in outcomes for families.

Main duties of the job
As you implement new practice and service developments, whist championing our values and behaviours, you'll be a catalyst for exciting changes and consistent quality improvement. Taking the lead on safety quality and the patient experience, you'll make the best possible use of nursing and midwifery metrics, quality campaigns and accreditation processes.

An NMC registered Midwife with a significant clinical track record, you'll bring to the role extensive operational management experience gained through holding a senior midwifery role. Your experience spans a range of midwifery settings and models of care, with knowledge of budget management, financial planning and strategic development. We'll expect you to be adept leading on clinical innovation, and support in shaping new roles and services. It's your passion for the women and their families, collaborative spirit and excellent communication skills that really set you apart.

Saint Mary's Hospital forms part of the MFT Group which is England's largest NHS Trust and the third largest provider of specialist services. MFT has a vital mission to provide world-class healthcare. Our single hospital service will make real and lasting improvements to health outcomes and quality of life across the city of Manchester.

Please not you would be expected to support the 24/7 on call rota

About us
Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement.Whether you're beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.You'll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.

At MFT, you'll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We'll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.

Details
Date posted: 31 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8b
Salary: £66,582 to £77,368 a year per annum (pro rata)
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 349-SPH-8121152-RL3
Job locations: MCH, Oxford Road, manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading.

Explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place
To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place. This welcoming onestop hub gives you a real sense of who we are what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. Youll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.

To access Inside MFT Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the Supporting Documents section and once opened, you can where either scan QR code or click on the link provided.

Closing vacancy listings early
We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

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.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOUfor 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 applicationespecially personal statements and responses to role-specific questionsis 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.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• First level registration NMC registered graduate in Midwifery.
• Masters/ Working towards or higher degree
• Evidence of relevant study and continuing professional development.
• Significant operational management experience at Lead Midwife level or above.
• Post registration leadership development.

Desirable

• Appropriate management. / Leadership courses.
• Appropriate teaching qualification
• Graduate in health related subject.

Experience
Essential

• Significant clinical experience at Midwifery Matron level within a complex organisation.
• Experienced in a range of midwifery settings and models of care.
• Knowledge and understanding of NHS Policy and regulatory policy, demonstrating ability to interpret these and implement changes where appropriate
• Experience in managing an operational service including budget management/financial planning and strategic development.
• Experience in developing and presenting business cases, developing new roles and services.
• Experience of managing complex situations i.e. restructuring, reorganisation of services.
• On-going recent evidence of leading clinical innovation or leading change within clinical practice.
• Evidence of working with agencies and voluntary groups re consultation around provision of services, service developments
• Experience of reviewing skill mix and introduction of new roles.

Training and Knowledge
Essential

• Evidence of experience in management of change
• Evidence of collaborative working and learning.
• Evidence of experience of clinical governance.
• Knowledge of clinical audit.

Desirable

• Evidence of leading major organisational change.
• Evidence of leading governance/clinical effectiveness agenda in complex service

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: Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Address: MCH, Oxford Road, manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Head of Midwifery, beverley o'connor, Emma Coulton, Emily McClure
beverley.o'connor@mft.nhs.uk