Job summary
We are seeking an exceptional individual to join us as Chief Nurse. This is a unique opportunity to join our Board and Executive Team and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our organisation.

We are looking for a dynamic and forward-thinking Chief Nurse to join us. You will provide inspirational and visionary leadership to our high-performing nursing and AHP staff; enabling them to continue to develop and deliver world class patient and family focussed services. You will also be involved in translating research and innovation into tangible benefits for patients and will set the standard and tone for how we communicate and engage with patients and their families. The trust has an open, transparent and welcoming approach whilst delivering compassionate, effective and evidence based care. You will be the Executive Lead for Clinical Governance working with the other executives to ensure our clinical governance requirements are fulfilled.

Main duties of the job
This appointment offers a challenging and exciting opportunity for an existing, or aspirant, Chief Nurse to lead our nursing, AHP and clinical governance workforce. You will be an integral member of our Trust board and will lead our patient safety and quality agenda for the future.

About us
The Walton Centre is a leader in the treatment and care of neurology and neurosurgery, placing the patient and their family at the heart of everything we do. As the only specialist hospital trust in the UK dedicated to providing comprehensive neurology, neurosurgery, spinal and pain management service we serve a catchment area of c3.5 million people across Merseyside, Cheshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, the Isle of Man, North Wales and beyond

With an annual turnover of £226 million and approximately 1,600 staff, The Walton Centre treats more than 158,000 outpatients and 18,000 inpatients each year

We are rated by the CQC as 'Outstanding' and are the only trust in the country to hold both Investors in People Gold accredited and the stand alone Health and Wellbeing award. We are committed to leading and innovating the excellence in neuroscience care we deliver, whilst growing our patient services and pioneering new treatments.

The Walton Centre is committed to making Equality Diversity and Inclusion a priority, we want to be a workplace that inspires leadership at all levels, with all staff, where everyone's voice is heard.

Details
Date posted: 27 August 2026
Pay scheme: Very senior manager (VSM)
Salary: Depending on experience
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 160-8251897
Job locations: The Walton Centre, Lower Lane, Liverpool, L9 7LJ, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Please see the job description and person specification document for detailed information about the job description for this vacancy.

Person Specification
Professional Requirements
Essential

• Educated to Master's degree level or equivalent.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Registered Nurse.
• Relevant Management professional qualification.
• Experience of working as a Deputy Director of Nursing/Deputy Chief Nurse and exposure to Board meetings.
• Evidence of leading successful organisational change to deliver recurrent CIPs.
• Track record of improving divisional and operational and quality, including evidence of change and innovation.
• Experience at leading and developing systems for the successful improvement of patient pathways.
• Experience of working in a Foundation Trust, experience of working in a specialist Trust would be an advantage.
• Previous experience and demonstrable delivery of leading patient involvement.
• Evidence of successful contribution to patient service improvement.
• Experience of CQC inspections and regulatory framework
• Track record of improving nursing performance and quality, including evidence of change and innovation.
• Experience at leading and developing systems for the successful reduction of infections within a health care setting.
• Demonstrable success and involvement in developing and leading the Clinical Governance agenda and building strong relationships.
• Understanding of clinical services and building strong relationships with medical and other clinical staff.
• Knowledge of the principles of NHS risk, health and safety/ security, resilience and complaints/ claims management
• Ability to demonstrate internal and external engagement and influence with relevant stakeholders.
• Experience of working extensively within financial envelope and delivery against significant CIPs.
• A clear commitment to delivering patient focused services.
• Able to raise external profile of organisation through networking and other means.
• Ability to implement innovative methods of measuring quality and nursing contributions to quality.

Desirable

• Relevant Post Graduate professional qualification.
• Experience of working within a Neuroscience environment.

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 here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

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

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

Employer details
Employer name: The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust
Address: The Walton Centre, Lower Lane, Liverpool, L9 7LJ, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.thewaltoncentre.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Chief Executive, Jan Ross, Jan.Ross5@nhs.net