Job summary
We are seeking an experienced, dynamic and compassionate neonatal nursing leader to join our team and play a pivotal role in delivering outstanding care for babies and their families. The successful candidate will provide visible clinical and operational leadership within the neonatal service, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and family-centred care in line with Royal Free London's World Class Values.

The postholder will be responsible for leading and developing nursing practice, maintaining high standards of quality, safety and patient experience, and supporting staff to deliver evidence-based care. They will oversee workforce planning, staff development, performance management and service improvement initiatives, while promoting a positive culture of learning, inclusion and continuous improvement. The role will also contribute to governance, patient safety, quality assurance, education and research activities that improve outcomes for babies and families.

The ideal candidate will be an effective team player who can work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams, inspire and develop others, manage change and drive improvements in patient safety and service delivery. They will demonstrate strong leadership, sound professional judgement and a commitment to excellence, innovation and compassionate care.

Main duties of the job
The Neonatal Unit Ward Manager is a senior clinical leader responsible for the day-to-day operational management of the neonatal unit, ensuring babies and their families receive safe, effective, compassionate and high-quality care.

Working closely with the Neonatal Matron, Head of Nursing, Consultant Neonatologists and multidisciplinary teams, the postholder provides visible leadership, maintains clinical standards and supports the delivery of patient safety, quality improvement and service development priorities. The role includes workforce management, staff supervision, education, recruitment, wellbeing and professional development, fostering a positive culture of learning, accountability and continuous improvement.

The Ward Manager will lead on governance, risk management, audit and quality initiatives while supporting the implementation of evidence-based practice and family-centred care. They will collaborate across neonatal services and sites to promote consistency, shared learning and best practice. The ideal candidate will be a compassionate, resilient and highly motivated neonatal nurse with excellent leadership, communication, organisational and people management skills.

About us
The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's biggest and most innovative trusts. Across three main hospitals, our dedicated army of staff care for over 1.6million patients, treat more than 200,000 in A&E, deliver over 8,000 babies and carry out more than 17million tests. Our size, scale and influence offer you unrivalled career opportunities and a forward-thinking approach to working that works around your lifestyle. From flexible hours and generous benefits, to next level training, we make it easier to take your career to the top. For more information please visit the Trust careers website.

Details
Band: Band 7
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Salary: £55,524 to £62,652 a year per annum inclusive of HCAS (pro rata)
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 391-RFL-8227519
Closing date: 02 November 2026

Essential qualifications and education

• Registered Children's Nurse / RGN NMC Registration Neonatal Qualification in Specialty (QIS)
• Degree in Nursing or equivalent evidence of academic achievement; evidence of ongoing professional development relevant to neonatal care and leadership
• Current neonatal clinical competence, including Neonatal Advanced Life Support or equivalent relevant training.
• Mentorship, practice assessor/supervisor or equivalent educational qualification

Desirable qualifications and education

• Master's qualification or equivalent or working towards qualification

Essential skills and aptitudes

• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to communicate sensitively and effectively in complex situations
• Highly organised, able to prioritise competing demands, manage deadlines and work effectively under pressure
• Demonstrates analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire, develop, support and motivate staff and articulate a clear vision for high-quality neonatal care
• Confident use of Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel, with accurate documentation and data handling skills.
• Able to use initiative, make sound decisions and work with appropriate autonomy while recognising when escalation is required

Essential experience

• Experience of working in neonates, some of which is at a junior managerial level.
• Experience managing competing priorities, changing workloads, staffing pressures and operational demands within a complex clinical environment
• Experience of managing staff performance, appraisal, attendance and wellbeing in line with Trust policies
• Experience of working within a team and of developing good working relationships with internal and external staff at all levels
• Experience of managing safeguarding concerns and referrals and applying safeguarding children policies and procedures.
• Experience collecting, interpreting and presenting data, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Experience leading or contributing to change management, quality improvement, audit, service development or improvement initiatives
• Experience of workforce planning, roster management, sickness absence management and safe staffing escalation.
• Experience supporting staff development, supervision and appraisal processes
• Experience of managing safety events and knowledge of patient safety systems including PSIRF and escalation processes.

Desirable experience

• Experience of managing resources, budgets or delegated financial responsibilities

Essential personal qualities and attributes

• Demonstrates commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Compassionate, approachable and family-centred
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and influencing skills.
• Resilient and able to work effectively under pressure.
• Positive role model with professional credibility and integrity
• Flexible, adaptable and able to lead change effectively
• Committed to quality improvement, patient safety and service excellence

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. 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 on the UK government website for criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Barnet Hospital, Wellhouse Lane, Barnet, EN5 3DJ, United Kingdom

For questions about the job, contact:
Matron - Neonatal Services, Claire Hart, Claire.Hart9@nhs.net, 02082165161

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice is available on the Trust website.