Job summary
In this role you will work in partnership with the Director of Midwifery, Clinical Business Unit (CBU) team and Clinical Directors to provide professional and operational leadership to the midwifery service.The post holder will be a member of the CBU Management Team and will support the Director of Midwifery in developing the service's strategic direction and policy framework, ensuring the service contributes significantly to the achievement of national, regional objectives alongside the trust and CBU strategy.

Main duties of the job
The Deputy Director of Midwifery will be responsible for the day-to-day operational management of the maternity service, providing leadership and operational oversight. Working closely with the senior leadership team, the successful candidate will also be pivotal in supporting the safety agenda and implementation of the service's population health workstreams as well as leading on matters relating to workforce both on a day-to-day basis and in forward planning. The successful candidate will also work closely with key partner organisations and internal and external stakeholders to ensure implementation of service developments and changes in line with Trust, local and national guidance.

About us
North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust is a caring and compassionate organisation that is both ambitious and innovative. We are committed to delivering the best outcomes for our patients and providing a positive experience of our staff. We aspire to be outstanding for our patients, our communities and our staff and are committed to being a great place to receive healthcare, work and learn.

Straddling the neighbouring boroughs of Warrington and Halton we are part of the Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care system. Our hospitals are ideally situated to meet the growing healthcare needs of the 330,000 population of these boroughs.

Warrington Hospital is home to our emergency, critical care and maternity services, Halton Hospital is focused on elective procedures and the Runcorn Urgent Treatment Centre, although many services are offered at both sites and in community hubs.

A CQC-rated 'good' organisation with 'outstanding' features, we are working towards university hospital status, having achieved teaching hospital status in 2019.

We employ nearly 5,000 people from over 80 nationalities, striving to be a diverse, inclusive employer and recognised leader in equality. We support flexible working, welcoming flexible applications. Proud of our many accreditations, we are embedding an anti-racist approach in all we do.

Job responsibilities
The maternity team at NCM are an innovative, friendly, welcoming team with a passion for positive change and quality improvement to benefit the families who choose to receive their care at NCM. CQC inspection in 2024 rated the Maternity Unit Good. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate a passion for collaboration, quality improvement and innovation alongside a compassionate, coaching style of leadership which will allow us to build on progress to date and create an outstanding maternity service at NCM.

See job description and person specification for further details of this vacancy.

Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Substantial midwifery experience and expertise including at a senior level in an operational midwifery role.
• Experience of working within a broad range of maternity settings
• Evidence of effective midwifery practice and commitment to innovation
• Experience of working collaboratively within multi-professional situations
• Track record of serving on a range of committees

Desirable

• Involvement with national / regional bodies or programmes

Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Midwife on NMC register
• Master's Degree/evidence of equivalent or currently working towards Master's degree
• Evidence of continuing professional and personal development
• Management qualification or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Quality Improvement methodologies training

Skills
Essential

• A confident and compassionate leader, able to coach, influence, motivate and develop people
• Ability to work with a high level of autonomy
• Resilient and confident in adverse situations
• Innovative and creative in the development of new approaches to care and systems of working
• Knowledge and understanding of the wider NHS and Health inequalities agenda
• Thorough understanding of governance processes as they relate to safety in maternity services

Desirable

• Quality Improvement skills
• Ability to conduct audit and implement recommendations

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.

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).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).