Job summary
This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced Infection Prevention and Management (IPM) leader to strategically shape the future of infection management and outbreak management across the Cluster ICB serving over 1.5 million people. We are seeking an outstanding senior healthcare professional to provide strategic leadership, expert advice and executive-level assurance. The role will be at the forefront of strategic commissioning, population health improvement and system quality, helping to reduce infection burden, improve patient safety and address health inequalities. Working across complex health and care systems, you will influence system, regional and national policy, lead major system IPM transformation programmes and provide visible professional leadership during outbreaks, incidents and emerging infectious disease threats.

Main duties of the job
Lead the development and delivery of a Cluster-wide Infection Prevention and Management strategy. Act as the senior professional lead for infection prevention and management within commissioning, service design and system planning. Provide expert assurance and advice to Boards, Committees and senior leaders on infection risks, performance and statutory responsibilities. Work closely with Population Health, Strategic Commissioning, NHS England, UKHSA, local authorities and provider organisations to improve outcomes and reduce inequalities. Lead system-wide outbreak management, incident response and learning activities across multiple sectors. Commission and oversee specialist infection pathways, including and not limited to tuberculosis and post-exposure measles prophylaxis. Ensure system compliance with statutory duties and national infection prevention standards, supporting and holding partners account to IPM performance.

About us
We are committed to creating an inclusive organisation that promotes and values diversity. We know from experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger, more creative workplace that helps us to deliver the best services. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community; from people of all ages, disabled people, all genders, people from ethnic minority groups, LGBTQ+ people, people with diverse gender identity and expression, people from all religions and beliefs and other diverse characteristics, and we have processes in place to ensure that all applications are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.

Job responsibilities
Essential Qualifications and Experience:Registered healthcare professional (e.g. NMC, GMC or equivalent) with no restrictions on practice.Educated to Masters level or able to demonstrate equivalent senior-level experience.Significant senior-level infection prevention and control expertise and at least five years experience operating at a strategic level.Holder of, or working towards, a recognised specialist qualification in Infection Prevention and Control.Experienced in providing expert advice, assurance and leadership at Board and system level.Skilled in working across organisational boundaries, influencing senior stakeholders and delivering change within complex healthcare systems.Key Skills:Outstanding communication, influencing and negotiation skills.Strategic thinking, analytical ability and sound judgement.Experience of leading large-scale programmes and service transformation.Strong understanding of NHS policy, commissioning, governance and partnership working.Commitment to reducing inequalities and improving population health outcomes.

Why Join Us?
This is a rare opportunity to lead one of the most influential infection management portfolios in the NHS, working across organisations and sectors to improve health outcomes for local communities. You will join a collaborative, ambitious and values-driven leadership team, with the opportunity to shape strategic commissioning decisions, influence regional and national policy, and make a lasting impact on population health and patient safety. Hybrid working available. For an informal discussion about the role, candidates are encouraged to contact recruiting manager.

Person Specification
Knowledge, Training and Experience

• Healthcare professional with current registration and no restrictions to practice (eg NMC, GMC)
• Educated to masters level or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in this field
• Extensive senior level experience in infection prevention and control role with a minimum of 5 years' experience and the authority to provide expert advice and assurance at Board and system level.
• A recognised specialist qualification in Infection Prevention and Control, or demonstrable progression towards such a qualification
• Evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development
• Must have a strong understanding of the background to and aims of current healthcare policy and how these impact on the overall strategic objectives; implementing and adapting as required.
• A very strong understanding of and the ability to navigate the relationships between NHS organisations and wider system, regional and national organisations.

Communication Skills

• Highly developed communication skills for delivering key messages to a range of stakeholders both internal and external (including outside the NHS) to the organisation, some at very senior level.
• Excellent presentational skills for conveying complex concepts.
• Ability to use informed persuasion to influence others.
• Demonstrates excellent digital literacy, with the ability to confidently use computers and digital systems.

Analytical

• Ability to identify risks, anticipate issues and create solutions and to resolve problems in relation to project or service delivery.
• Analyses performance of area of activity in relation to performance targets, strategic objectives
• Ability to understand a broad range of complex information quickly and making decisions where opinions differ/no obvious solution

Planning Skills

• Evidence of planning and delivering programmes and projects and services on time.
• Ability to formulate long term strategic pans, involving uncertainly, impact on organisation

Management Skills

• Abilities for financial and staff management.

Autonomy

• Ability to work without supervision, providing specialist advice to the organisation, working to tight and often changing timescales. Interpreting national policy for implementation.
• Interpret national policy for implementation.
• Lead manager for a major area of activity, interprets corporate and national policies.

Physical Skills

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office with intermediate keyboard skills

Equality and Diversity

• Needs to have a thorough understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems.

Financial and Physical Resources

• Previously responsible for a budget, involved in budget setting and working knowledge of financial processes.
• Previously responsible for major area of activity; monitors budgets, responsible for overall budget for major area of activity

Other

• Team working skills
• Self-motivated
• Demonstrates honesty and integrity and promotes organisational values.
• Embrace change, viewing it as an opportunity to learn and develop

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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.