Head of Midwifery

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust

2mo ago

Job
Full-time
Senior & Expert Level
Healthcare
Education & Teaching
Portsmouth
Quick Apply

AI generated summary

You must be a Registered Midwife with a Master's degree, leadership experience, teaching qualifications, budget management, and strong analytical and communication skills.
You will oversee high-quality, safe maternity services, lead workforce development, drive clinical governance, and collaborate with partners while ensuring staff wellbeing and patient-centered care.

Requirements

Registered Midwife
Master’s degree or equivalent qualification/ experience
Management qualification or equivalent experience in leadership qualification or evidence of working toward this.
Post graduate qualification in a Health-related subject.
Evidence of Continual Professional development
Experience and/or teaching qualification.
Published work in a clinical or health care area.
Mentoring/Coaching Qualification
A clear understanding of leadership and team dynamics, including what factors make a successful organisation.
Highly developed leadership skills, including demonstrable transformational style.
Strong team player
Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
An understanding of all staff groups and agencies/stakeholder across the health community
Strong relationship development and management skills with senior management, peers, and senior clinical colleagues
Thorough understanding of current national agenda around maternity services
A clear understanding of and commitment to the current and changing agenda within the NHS.
Ability to think strategically and analyse complex problems and interact in a complex multidisciplinary organisation.
Excellent analytical and numerical skills - computer literate around main maternity applications, Datix, using excel, data interrogation and analysis.
Ability to develop and manage staff including capability & disciplinary management.
Conflict resolution skills
Experience of project leading
Significant post-registration experience
Broad range of experiences in varied settings and roles
Experience of leading and managing staff and clinical services
Experience of successfully leading, changing, and managing services in a complex health organisational environment
Evidence of effective delivery of complex projects
Evidence of contribution to midwifery/strategy development and implementation
Proven experience of quality improvement and clinical governance
Experience of maternity contracting/commissioning processes
Experience of leading cost improvement initiatives
Work without direct supervision to achieve the objectives of the post.
Working in an environment which demands high levels of energy, stamina and enthusiasm.
Managing budgets within financial standing orders
Workforce planning, recruitment, and selection of staff
Working under pressure, prioritising work, and meeting deadlines
Utilise a variety of advanced communication skills to communicate to a range of different audiences clearly and succinctly verbally, electronically and in writing.
Being a highly credible leader who can command respect.
Recent and proven experience of operationally leading and managing complex services.
Experience of budget Management
Experience of service improvement and/or transformational change
Experience of developing and implementing alternative models of care
Experience of working/linking with academic organisations
Experience of working across organisational boundaries
Knowledge of modernisation tools and techniques

Responsibilities

As Head of Midwifery, you will be accountable for the delivery of high quality, safe maternity services, ensuring effective staffing, patient flow, and optimal clinical outcomes while maintaining a visible and supportive leadership presence within clinical areas.
You will lead on clinical governance, embedding robust risk management processes, continuous quality improvement, and a strong safety and Just Culture that promotes openness, learning, and psychological safety, ensuring services are evidence-based and aligned with national standards. Working closely with the Director of Midwifery and senior teams, you will drive strategic and annual service planning, contribute to transformation and financial sustainability, and ensure performance targets are met through monitoring, improvement planning, and data-driven assurance.
You will lead workforce planning and development, supporting recruitment, retention, education, and staff wellbeing, while ensuring effective implementation of HR policies and fostering an inclusive and motivated workforce.
In addition, you will collaborate with system partners to co-produce services with women and families, ensuring their voices shape maternity services. Participation in the senior midwifery on-call rota is required, providing expert leadership and in doing so, you will help deliver a maternity service that is safe, equitable, personalised, and responsive, underpinned by compassionate leadership and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.

FAQs

What is the salary range for the Head of Midwifery position?

The salary range for the Head of Midwifery position is £79,504 - £91,609 per annum, which is equivalent to NHS Band 8c.

What are the working hours for this role?

This position requires full-time hours of 37.5 hours per week.

Is this a permanent position?

Yes, this is a permanent position.

What specific qualifications are essential for this role?

Essential qualifications include being a Registered Midwife, holding a Master’s degree or equivalent qualification/experience, and having a management qualification or equivalent leadership experience.

Are there any desirable qualifications or experiences for candidates?

Yes, desirable qualifications include a teaching qualification, published work in a clinical or healthcare area, and mentoring or coaching qualifications.

What key responsibilities will the Head of Midwifery have?

Key responsibilities include leading the delivery and transformation of maternity services, ensuring safe and high-quality care, managing clinical governance, workforce planning, and collaborating with system partners to co-produce services.

Will the Head of Midwifery need to participate in the senior midwifery on-call rota?

Yes, participation in the senior midwifery on-call rota is required for this role.

What kind of environment will the Head of Midwifery be working in?

The Head of Midwifery will work in a complex health organizational environment that demands high levels of energy, stamina, and enthusiasm.

What additional benefits does Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust offer to its staff?

Benefits include access to an on-site nursery, a free beach hut, a wellness center with a gym and swimming pool, staff networks, and awards ceremonies to recognize achievements.

Is diversity and inclusion valued in this role?

Yes, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust welcomes unique contributions from all staff and values diversity in education, culture, ethnicity, and other personal characteristics.

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust

We are #ProudToBePHU and provide expert, compassionate care for all across Portsmouth, south east Hampshire beyond.

Science & Healthcare

Industry

5001-10,000

Employees

1904

Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust is one of the largest acute hospital trusts in the country, treating over half a million patients each year. The Trust is the second largest employer in Portsmouth. We provide comprehensive secondary care and specialist services to a local population of 675,000 people across South East Hampshire. We also offer some speciality services to a wider catchment of around two million people. Our population is characterised by its diversity – the rural and the urban, areas of wealth juxtaposed with real pockets of deprivation, and gaps in life expectancy. Most of our services are provided at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham, but we also offer a range of outpatient and diagnostic facilities closer to patients’ homes in community hospital sites and at local treatment centres throughout South East Hampshire, including St Mary's Treatment Centre, Gosport War Memorial Hospital and Petersfield Community Hospital.