Group Chief Nurse with certificate of sponsorship to the UK

Visa Note

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. However, applicants must verify their visa eligibility directly with the employer even though sponsorship is offered. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK must present criminal record certificates 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.

Job Details

Company: Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust

Location: Queen Alexandra Hospital, Southwick Hill Road, Cosham, PO6 3LY

Salary: Depending on experience

Schedule: Full-time

Employment Type: Permanent

Language: English

Education: Masters Degree required

Experience: Executive Director level in a large complex service organisation

Essential Qualification: Evidence of sustained personal and professional development, Registered General Nurse with NMC

Desirable Qualification: Postgraduate management qualification

Essential Experience: Masters Degree, Evidence of sustained personal and professional development, Operating at Executive Director level in a large complex service organisation

Application Deadline: 05 June 2026

Employer Website: https://www.porthosp.nhs.uk/work-for-us/

Apply Instructions: Apply via NHS Jobs website

Certificate Of Sponsorship Status: Certificate of Sponsorship offered

Reference Number: REF2222P

Job Summary

Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust are seeking an exceptional clinical leader to join our Group Executive Team as Chief Nursing Officer. This is a significant opportunity to provide professional leadership for nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals across two important NHS organisations working in a group model, and to inspire a workforce whose commitment, skill and compassion are central to the service provided to our patients and communities every day.

Role Overview

As Chief Nursing Officer you will lead and support a large and diverse workforce, offering clear and compassionate leadership, inspiring colleagues to be their very best and continuing to build on both organisations shared commitment to outstanding care for every patient. IWT and PHU remain independent statutory bodies, with both Boards meeting in common, which creates a unique leadership opportunity for the Chief Nursing Officer to shape professional practice and workforce culture across two organisations.

Main Duties

Providing visible and inspiring leadership, you will articulate a clear and compelling vision for the professions you support and help create the conditions in which colleagues can thrive and deliver the very highest standards of care. You will have a natural drive to ensure colleagues feel supported, valued and proud of the care they provide. You will bring empathy for patients, compassion for colleagues and a deep commitment to excellence.

Leadership Requirements

You will be a skilled relationship builder, able to create and nurture relationships across all grades of staff and across organisational boundaries. You will champion the workforce and ensure that clinical leadership continues to shape culture, performance and standards across both Trusts. You will also help ensure that staff wellbeing, development and pride in their work remain central to the way services are delivered.

Strategic Position

As a member of the Group Executive Leadership Team and Board of Directors in Common, you will bring sound judgement, professional credibility and a strong commitment to our values. You will ensure that the voice of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals is clearly represented in strategic discussions and that these professions continue to shape the direction and culture of both organisations.

Collaborative Working

Working closely with our Group Chief Executive, Penny Emerit, and executive colleagues, you will help shape the future development of workforce practice across the Group. You will also represent clinical leadership across the wider Hampshire and Isle of Wight system, working with partners to strengthen collaboration and advance standards across the region and where appropriate, nationally.

Person Specification – Qualifications

Essential: Masters Degree, Registered General Nurse with NMC

Desirable: Postgraduate management qualification

Person Specification – Experience

Essential: Evidence of sustained personal and professional development, Operating at Executive Director level in a large complex service organisation, Demonstrstrable track record of significant achievements and delivered results, Detailed knowledge of Clinical Quality and Safety methodologies, Detailed knowledge of Clinical and Corporate Governance frameworks, legislation and best practice, Experienced safeguarding lead, Personable and professional approach to all staff levels, Highly developed strategic and operational leadership skills, Ability to quickly establish effective working relationships and develop strong team working, Knowledge and understanding of corporate risk management systems and processes, Highly developed interpersonal and facilitation skills, with ability to gain and sustain credibility with Board of Directors, Excellent presentation skills and the ability to present well-reasoned and structured argument orally and in writing, Highly developed analytical skills, Proficiency in the use of ICT applications to support efficient work activity, Ability to influence and negotiate within and outside an organisation, Ability to manage priorities in order to meet specific deadlines.

About Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust

Here at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, we are proud to provide expert, compassionate care for our local population. We are ranked as the third in the country for research, embedding education and training across the organisation. Our main hub is the Queen Alexandra Hospital, which is one of the largest hospitals on the south coast employing over 8,700 staff.

Our Values

Our patients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our hospital stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for getting it right for patients, colleagues, and our community, you will find a home at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust. We believe outstanding patient care begins with supporting and inspiring the people who deliver it.

About the Group Structure

Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust work together in a unique group model while maintaining their independence as statutory bodies. This arrangement creates exciting opportunities for collaborative working while preserving the distinct identities and strengths of each organisation.

How to Apply

Apply Instructions: Apply via NHS Jobs website

For international applicants: Before applying, please ensure you have verified your visa eligibility with the employer. Prepare your criminal record certificates from any countries where you have resided for 12+ months in the past 10 years. Ensure you have current UK professional registration if applicable.

Application Requirements

All applications must include:

• A full curriculum vitae/resume
• A covering letter highlighting the aspects of the role and of Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust that particularly attract you to the post (Microsoft Word/PDF document)
• Contact details for three referees, these will not be contacted without your permission (References should validate a minimum period of six years employment)

Contact Information

For questions about the job, contact:

Managing Director: Frank McKenna

Phone: 07703821996

Email: Not provided

Additional Information

Our executive search partners, Alumni Global, would be very happy to have an initial and informal conversation with you to explore the opportunity further. If you would like to do so, please feel free to contact Frank McKenna, Managing Director, or Beth Stickney, Principal Researcher on 07703 821996.

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 Professional Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website. For overseas applicants, there may be additional requirements for registration with the relevant UK professional body.

Equal Opportunities

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. We are proud to hold accreditations including Age Positive, Armed Forces Covenant, CQC Good, Disability Confident Employer, and numerous others that demonstrate our commitment to creating an inclusive workplace.

Privacy Notice

Your personal data will be processed in accordance with Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust’s privacy notice which can be found at: https://www.porthosp.nhs.uk/patients_and_visitors/assets/ig/Privacy%20Notice%20for%20Staff%20v1.pdf