Job vacancy: Chief Nurse NNUH, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich

Job summary

Main area: Hospital Leadership
Grade: VSM
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref: 234-26-GROUP-CN-NNUH

Employer: Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital
Town: Norwich
Closing: 21/10/2026 23:59
Interview date: 03/11/2026

Chief Nurse NNUH

VSM

Join us at the Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group.
The Group was formed in 2025 to bring the three Acute Trusts in Norfolk and Waveney together into one system with one purpose – better care for patients. It has unified leadership with one Chair, one Chief Executive and one Board, which includes Executive Managing Directors for all three Trusts.

The Group has clearly defined aims to

Provide great care.
Nurture a skilled, engaged workforce.
Enable service modernisation expanding digital use and services.
Plan the right services and environments and support the development of integrated neighbourhood services.
Stabilise finances and live within our means.
Leverage our network and strengthen collaboration with system partners.
Shape future roles of our hospitals and the pattern of Clinical Services necessary to support them- starting with the needs of our population.

It also has an ambition to build, with its partners in health sciences, education and research, a world class University Hospitals System.

Taken together, our three Acute Trusts – The James Paget University Hospital NHS Trust in Gorleston, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in Norwich (including the Jenny Lind Children’s Hospital and Cromer Hospital), have a combined workforce of circa 18,000 people.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You will bring extensive senior nursing leadership experience within a complex organisation, including experience operating at director level and influencing strategic decisions. You will have a strong track record in quality governance, quality improvement, patient safety and risk management, alongside experience of leading service innovation, transformation and collaboration across health and social care. You will be able to manage complexity, make sound decisions and communicate clearly with staff, boards, regulators and partners, supported by strong financial, workforce and strategic planning capability. Your collaborative, inclusive and compassionate leadership style will give you the credibility to inspire others, challenge constructively and role-model the highest professional standards.

Why join us?

This is a rare opportunity to influence care at both hospital and Group level during a period of significant development for health services across Norfolk and Waveney. You will work with talented clinical and corporate leaders, contribute to major transformation programmes and help create an environment in which our people can deliver their best for patients.

We are looking for a leader who combines professional authority with humility, openness and a deep commitment to inclusion. If you share our ambition for excellent, safe and compassionate care, we would welcome your application.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

Registered nurse with a current registration with the NMC.
Master’s degree in relevant subject area or equivalent knowledge

Experience

Essential criteria

Experience at Director level
Experience of leading collaboration across a health and social care system

Knowledge & Skills

Essential criteria

Strong strategic planning skills with the ability to take decisions, make recommendations and plan using data, analytical skills and expert opinions
Strong persuasive and influencing skills with the ability to present ideas and proposals effectively through to Board level
Clear analytical skills to allow explanation, evaluation and interpretation of information and opinions
Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Job Description and Person Specification outline the full scope of responsibilities and essential criteria for this role. In your supporting statement, please clearly demonstrate how your skills, experience, and leadership capabilities align with the requirements detailed in the Person Specification.

Please note this is an application led process and CVs are not accepted.

Visa and Immigration

Applicants requiring sponsorship—including those currently sponsored and seeking a change of employer—should review the eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker Visa, available at:
https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

Roles involving work with children or adults will require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Applicants will be asked to declare relevant information regarding previous convictions during the application process.

NHS Service Verification

If appointed, we will verify any previous NHS service via the ESR Inter‑Authority Transfer (IAT) process. Submission of your application will be taken as agreement to this.
For VSM (Very Senior Manager) posts, applicants must also declare any redundancy payments received within the 12 months prior to re‑employment within the NHS.

Professional Registration

Where professional registration is an essential requirement of the role, candidates must hold current UK registration at the point of application.

Application Correspondence

To support our commitment to reducing paper usage, all correspondence regarding your application will be issued by email. Please ensure that you check your inbox (including spam/junk folders) regularly.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We value diversity at all levels of the organisation and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Applicants with a disability who meet the minimum essential criteria may request consideration under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme by indicating this on their application form.

Flexible Working

While recruitment will be undertaken in line with the advertised post, we recognise the importance of flexible working. Alternative working patterns or contract types (e.g., part‑time arrangements or secondments) may be considered. If you wish to propose a different working pattern, please indicate this within your supporting statement.