Director of Professional Nursing

Job summary We are seeking an exceptional and inspirational nursing leader to join our senior leadership team as Professional Director of Nursing & Patient Experience. This is a key executive nursing leadership role responsible for shaping and delivering outstanding standards of patient care, patient experience, professional practice, workforce development and quality improvement across the organisation. Working closely with the Chief Nurse and Executive Team, the successful candidate will provide strategic leadership for nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals while championing patient-centred care and continuous improvement. Main duties of the job The post holder will play a pivotal role in developing nursing leadership, strengthening patient experience, leading quality improvement programmes, supporting workforce transformation and providing senior clinical leadership across operational flow, capacity management and patient safety agendas. About us Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5,000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing programme alongside a strong commitment to developing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family ensures you feel valued from your initial interview and throughout your time with us. We are clinically led and provide joined-up care by bridging hospital and community services, alongside delivering regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford, with community sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh, and services delivered in patients' homes across Guildford and Waverley. We work in partnership with Ashford & St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust through a collaborative Group Model, supporting joined-up services, workforce flexibility and development opportunities. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated us as Outstanding. We are proud of our achievements and continue to invest in our people and infrastructure. To learn more about life at Royal Surrey, please watch our short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R96pMboIYdo Adverts may close early, so you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Details Date posted 02 October 2026 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 9 Salary £115,052 to £132,053 a year pro rata per annum inclusive of HCAS Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 384-CR-EMF21467 Job locations Royal Surrey Foundation Trust Egerton Road Guildford GU2 7XX United Kingdom Job description Job responsibilities Leading the delivery of the Trust's Patient Experience Strategy. Providing professional leadership for nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals. Driving improvements in quality, patient safety and patient outcomes. Leading workforce, education and professional development initiatives. Providing senior clinical leadership during operational pressures and escalation events. Supporting the delivery of safe patient flow and effective discharge processes. Acting as a senior advocate for patients, carers and families. Developing strong partnerships across the Integrated Care System and wider health community. Deputising for the Chief Nurse when required and participating in the Executive On-Call rota. Job description Job responsibilities Leading the delivery of the Trust's Patient Experience Strategy. Providing professional leadership for nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals. Driving improvements in quality, patient safety and patient outcomes. Leading workforce, education and professional development initiatives. Providing senior clinical leadership during operational pressures and escalation events. Supporting the delivery of safe patient flow and effective discharge processes. Acting as a senior advocate for patients, carers and families. Developing strong partnerships across the Integrated Care System and wider health community. Deputising for the Chief Nurse when required and participating in the Executive On-Call rota. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Current NMC registration as a First Level Registered Nurse. Master's degree or equivalent qualification. Knowledge and Experience Essential Evidence of implementing significant organisational change and improvement. Evidence of working at scale across organisational boundaries and in partnership with other organisations to improve pathways of care. Capabilities Essential Strategic thinking and ability to work in partnership to develop, review and create Trust strategies and operationally anticipate and resolve problems before they arise Person Specification Qualifications Essential Current NMC registration as a First Level Registered Nurse. Master's degree or equivalent qualification. Knowledge and Experience Essential Evidence of implementing significant organisational change and improvement. Evidence of working at scale across organisational boundaries and in partnership with other organisations to improve pathways of care. Capabilities Essential Strategic thinking and ability to work in partnership to develop, review and create Trust strategies and operationally anticipate and resolve problems before they arise 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 (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) . Additional information 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 (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) .