Job summary
The Head of Clinical Governance, Risk and Compliance is a senior leadership role within the Chief Nurse Team, responsible for providing expert strategic leadership in the delivery and oversight of clinical governance, clinical risk, and regulatory compliance across the Trust.
This role is pivotal in ensuring the organisation meets its statutory and regulatory obligations, and consistently delivers safe, high-quality, and effective care in line with Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards, NHS England guidance, and national best practice.
Reporting to the Deputy Chief Nurse, you will lead the development and implementation of robust governance arrangements, with a particular focus on clinical governance, clinical risk management, and compliance.
You will work collaboratively across all clinical divisions and corporate functions to ensure systems and processes are in place to support assurance, continuous improvement, and regulatory readiness.
You will also work closely with and provide strategic support to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and their portfolio, ensuring alignment and collaboration across medical and nursing leadership.
Main duties of the job
You will provide strategic leadership for the Trust's clinical governance framework, ensuring alignment with statutory, regulatory, and quality standards.
Lead the development of systems toidentify, assess, and manage clinical risks, promoting patient safety and continuous improvement.
Ensure compliance with all statutory and regulatory requirements, including CQC standards and NHS England guidance, offering expert oversight and advice.
Oversee quality assurance programmes and accreditation readiness. Collaborate with Quality and Safety teams to ensure cohesive, evidence-based assurance and effective follow-up on inspection outcomes.
Embed quality and safety standards at all levels through a robust compliance and accountability framework, fostering a culture of ownership.
Ensure a Trust-wide clinical audit programme is in place, using findings to drive improvements in patient care and service delivery.
Work with the Chief Medical Officer and operational leaders to align governance priorities and integrate them into daily practice.
Deputise for the Deputy Chief Nurse on clinical quality matters and represent the Trust in strategic forums, influencing policy and practice.
Review and enhance Trust policies to align with strategic goals, leading initiatives to advance governance maturity and performance
About us
Our Trust
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.
CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:- applied for a Graduate visa- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employment
For NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough based roles, all applicants from NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who have identified that they are at risk of redundancy will be prioritised over those not at risk. However, interviews cannot be guaranteed.
This vacancy will close at midnight on 21st September 2025
Interviews are due to be held on 1st October 2025
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:- applied for a Graduate visa- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employment
For NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough based roles, all applicants from NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who have identified that they are at risk of redundancy will be prioritised over those not at risk. However, interviews cannot be guaranteed.
This vacancy will close at midnight on 21st September 2025
Interviews are due to be held on 1st October 2025
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Master's level or equivalent leadership experience.
- Postgraduate Governance, Risk management qualification, or relevant experience
Desirable
- Clinical Professional registration (NMC, GMC or HCPC)
- Postgraduate management or similar relevant qualification or experience
Experience
Essential
- Significant NHS senior management experience in acute hospital settings
- Significant experience of Governance, Compliance or Risk at a senior level in a large or complex organisation
- Have a demonstrable track record of improving quality or reducing risk
- Have experience of successfully managing healthcare related accreditation or inspection requirements (particularly CQC)
- Significant experience of managing staff
Desirable
- Experience in trust board development or governance consultancy
- Experience of undertaking patient safety visits
Knowledge
Essential
- Expert knowledge of NHS governance systems and statutory frameworks
- Understanding of patient safety, quality improvement, and clinical risk
- Familiarity with NHSE's Well-Led Framework and CQC inspection standards
Desirable
- The commissioning process, Quality Account requirements
Skills
Essential
- Collaborative, with excellent influencing and communication skills
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to understand issues rapidly and explain them clearly and succinctly Proven interpersonal skills with the ability to influence change in a rapidly changing environment
- High level report writing
- Able to establish positive relationships and mutual respect with people at all levels, including patients, services users and carers
Additional Requirements
Essential
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent
- Embodies the NHS Constitution and Trust values
- Demonstrates integrity, transparency, and a commitment to improvement
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Master's level or equivalent leadership experience.
- Postgraduate Governance, Risk management qualification, or relevant experience
Desirable
- Clinical Professional registration (NMC, GMC or HCPC)
- Postgraduate management or similar relevant qualification or experience
Experience
Essential
- Significant NHS senior management experience in acute hospital settings
- Significant experience of Governance, Compliance or Risk at a senior level in a large or complex organisation
- Have a demonstrable track record of improving quality or reducing risk
- Have experience of successfully managing healthcare related accreditation or inspection requirements (particularly CQC)
- Significant experience of managing staff
Desirable
- Experience in trust board development or governance consultancy
- Experience of undertaking patient safety visits
Knowledge
Essential
- Expert knowledge of NHS governance systems and statutory frameworks
- Understanding of patient safety, quality improvement, and clinical risk
- Familiarity with NHSE's Well-Led Framework and CQC inspection standards
Desirable
- The commissioning process, Quality Account requirements
Skills
Essential
- Collaborative, with excellent influencing and communication skills
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to understand issues rapidly and explain them clearly and succinctly Proven interpersonal skills with the ability to influence change in a rapidly changing environment
- High level report writing
- Able to establish positive relationships and mutual respect with people at all levels, including patients, services users and carers
Additional Requirements
Essential
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent
- Embodies the NHS Constitution and Trust values
- Demonstrates integrity, transparency, and a commitment to improvement
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.
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.
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).
Employer details
Employer name
Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Addenbrookes Hospital - Corporate
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
Employer's website
https://www.cuh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)