Job summary
The Deputy Matron for the Oxford Neonatal Unit will provide visible, professional leadership and take responsibility for the day-to-day operational management of the service, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, safe, and compassionate care. Working closely with the Matron and multidisciplinary teams, the post holder will lead on clinical governance, patient experience, workforce management, and service improvement, while contributing to the strategic development of neonatal services across the Directorate and Trust. This role requires a dynamic and experienced leader committed to maintaining excellence in patient care, supporting staff development, and driving innovation within a complex and fast-paced clinical environment.

Main duties of the job
The post holder will lead the operational management of the Neonatal Unit, ensuring safe staffing, high standards of clinical care, and delivery of key performance targets. They will provide visible leadership to nursing and multidisciplinary teams, oversee clinical governance, patient safety, and complaints management, and drive quality improvement and patient experience initiatives. The role includes responsibility for workforce planning, budget oversight, and staff development, while supporting strategic service delivery and deputising for the Matron as required.

About us
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community.

We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence, and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.

These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel.

In 2023 NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit to the ten core principles

Oxford University Hospitals promotes a safe, respectful hiring environment.

If you want to make a difference with us, come and join our team. Together, we will uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism.

Job responsibilities
The Deputy Matron is responsible for the effective day-to-day operational management of the Neonatal Unit, ensuring delivery of safe, high-quality, and patient-centred care. The role provides strong, visible leadership to nursing and multidisciplinary teams, promoting a culture of excellence, continuous improvement, and adherence to Trust values. Key responsibilities include oversight of clinical governance, patient safety, risk management, and complaints handling, ensuring learning is embedded and standards are consistently achieved.

The post holder will lead workforce planning, including safe staffing, recruitment, performance management, and staff development, while maintaining accountability for budget management and efficient use of resources. They will actively contribute to service development, quality improvement, and delivery of strategic priorities across the Directorate. In addition, the Deputy Matron will support education, research, and professional development, while deputising for the Matron and representing the service at divisional and Trust-level forums.

Person Specification

Essential

• o 1st level registration Post registration qualification or equivalent experience
• Qualification in teaching and assessing in clinical practice
• Minimum academic achievement of Degree in Nursing
• Demonstrable expertise in nursing
• Management skills / training Knowledge and experience

Desirable

• Post graduate education
• Masters level education in Nursing
• Experience in introducing and managing nurse-led practice
• Project management skills -Ability to reflect and learn from experience

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.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.