Job summary
Exciting opportunity to join Somerset NHS Foundation Trust as the Director of Nursing and AHP's! This role holds explicit professional accountability to the Chief Nurse. This includes responsibility for ensuring that nursing and AHP standards, governance, quality, and professional practice are maintained in line with organisational, regulatory, and national requirements. The Director acts under the professional direction and delegated authority of the Chief Nurse, and Deputy Chief Nurses, providing assurance that safe, high-quality, patient-centred care is delivered across all services within their remit. They are accountable for advising the Chief Nurse and Deputies on professional matters, escalating risks appropriately, and supporting the delivery of the Chief Nurse's strategic priorities.

Main duties of the job
This is an exciting opportunity for a highly credible senior leader who is passionate about patient care, professional practice and service improvement.
You will:

• Provide visible, compassionate and inclusive leadership to nursing and AHP teams.
• Champion patient safety, quality improvement and clinical excellence.
• Lead workforce planning, recruitment, retention and succession planning.
• Drive innovation, transformation and new models of care.
• Support the development of a positive, high-performing culture where colleagues can thrive.
• Use data, intelligence and evidence to improve outcomes and reduce variation in care.
• Work across organisational and system boundaries to shape the future of healthcare services.

About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Details
Date posted: 28 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8d
Salary: £94,356 to £108,814 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 184-OL-OR-5547
Job locations: Yeovil District Hospital, Higher Kingston, Yeovil, Somerset, BA21 4AT, United Kingdom; Musgrove Park Hospital, Musgrove Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 5DA, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
The Director of Nursing and Allied Health Professionals is a senior leadership role within the Service Group, working as part of the triumvirate leadership team alongside the Service Group Director and Associate Medical Director. The post holder will provide professional leadership, strategic direction and assurance for nursing and allied health professional practice, ensuring that services deliver safe, effective, inclusive and high-quality care for patients, families and communities.

The post holder will be responsible for setting and maintaining professional standards across the Service Group, supporting clinical teams to deliver excellent patient outcomes and ensuring that nursing and AHP services are aligned with organisational, regulatory and national priorities. They will hold delegated professional accountability to the Chief Nurse and Midwife, providing assurance on quality, safety, governance, workforce and professional practice.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Evidence of ongoing professional and managerial development, which meets NMC/HCPC requirements
• Master's Degree or equivalent experience in a relevant health-related subject and evidence of further advanced study, doctoral level learning, or equivalent level of professional development.
• Management or leadership qualification e.g. NHS Leadership Academy, MBA or equivalent or post graduate study in a relevant subject

Experience
Essential

• Extensive experience at a senior level in a relevant acute, community or Mental Health environment
• Significant senior experience of managing teams, including professional development and conduct issues
• Experience of leading a range of nursing and or AHP colleagues

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.

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: Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Yeovil District Hospital, Higher Kingston, Yeovil, Somerset, BA21 4AT, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Hiring Manager, Fred Cock, fred.cock@somersetft.nhs.uk

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.