Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Band 8a Matron

The closing date is 04 March 2026

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity to join our Liver and Digestive Health service within the Royal Free Hospital health unit.

The role of the Matron is fundamental to ensuring patients receive safe, high quality care and a positive patients experience which is responsive to the needs of the patients, families and their carer's. Therefore, we are seeking an experienced registered practitioner who has strong leadership skills and is passionate about developing services. This post holder will require knowledge, skill and attention to detail to continue to deliver real improvements in quality. Above all we are looking for an individual who has a passion for making a difference and is committed to delivering excellent patient care in a safe environment.

Interviews will be face to face at Royal Free Hospital.

Main duties of the job

  • The postholder will provide clinical, management and professional leadership to nursing staff at all levels within their area of responsibility, ensuring that nursing care is delivered to a high standard and that the nursing resource is managed effectively.
  • The postholder will also undertake the key functions of the matron role ensuring the attainment and monitoring of quality and clinical performance indicators and ensuring that any aspect of Directorate service delivery is underpinned by the patient and service user experience. This role will be primarily based at one site but, where the postholder is managing a portfolio offering services across more than one site, the postholder will be expected to travel where required and have clear visibility across all health unit sites.
  • The postholder will play an important role in the development of services and provide specialised advice to nursing teams, wider professional colleagues, as relevant, to ensure high standards of direct care delivery.
  • The postholder will support the implementation and maintenance of effective governance arrangements whilst ensuring that nursing care is of the highest possible standard at all times with particular emphasis on dignity and compassion.
  • The postholder will participate in the out of hours on call rota and ensure competencies and training are up to date.

About us

The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's biggest and most innovative trusts. The Royal Free London NHS FT believes in developing talent so the successful individual will be supported with any relevant training and mentorship necessary for success in the role. We are seeking an astute, talented leader so if this sounds like you and you are looking for a position where you are valued, developed and constructively challenged every day, then don't miss out on this opportunity.

Our size, scale and influence offer you unrivalled career opportunities and a forward-thinking approach to working that works around your lifestyle. From flexible hours and generous benefits, to next level training, we make it easier to take your career to the top

For more information please follow linkhttps://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/

Details

Date posted

18 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£64,156 to £71,148 a year per annum inclusive of HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

391-RFL-7757129-A

Job locations

Royal Free Hospital

Pond Street

Hampstead

NW3 2QG


Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification.

When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification.

When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

Person Specification

Education & professional qualifications

Essential

  • Registered nurse (Adult)
  • First degree /or equivalent knowledge and skills
  • Relevant post registration courses in surgery and high dependency nursing
  • Recognised Mentorship qualification
  • Evidence of on-going professional development
  • Educated to master's level or equivalent experience
  • Management or leadership qualification or equivalent experience

Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience in area of Speciality, underpinned by theoretical knowledge
  • Current experience of line management of staff
  • Evidence of teaching and developing junior staff both formally and informally
  • Evidence of leading a change management initiative which improved Patient care
  • Proven experience of managing budgetary resources
  • Evidence of managing Employment relation issues
  • Proven experience of recruitment of staff to set world class values

Skills

Essential

  • Demonstrate advanced clinical expertise
  • Evidence of political awareness and professional issues in nursing
  • Experience of managing and sustaining change
  • Experience of developing and implementing new policies and guidance
  • Evidence of clinical standard/ guideline setting
  • Evidence of understanding professional issues in nursing
  • Skilled in staff selection and development
  • Thorough understanding and knowledge of key indicators of excellent quality care
  • Highly effective communication and relationship skills
  • Evidence of involvement with patient/user groups to develop patient centred care
  • Demonstrates skills in IT systems and use of word, excel and PowerPoint
  • Demonstrable ability to assess complexity and situations which require analysis and opinion

Personal Qualities & attributes

Essential

  • Evidence of recent personal development activity
  • Demonstrates an ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
  • Highly professional role model
  • Able to work to work under pressure
  • To be flexible and approachable

Royal Free World Class Values

Essential

  • Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values
Person Specification

Education & professional qualifications

Essential

  • Registered nurse (Adult)
  • First degree /or equivalent knowledge and skills
  • Relevant post registration courses in surgery and high dependency nursing
  • Recognised Mentorship qualification
  • Evidence of on-going professional development
  • Educated to master's level or equivalent experience
  • Management or leadership qualification or equivalent experience

Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience in area of Speciality, underpinned by theoretical knowledge
  • Current experience of line management of staff
  • Evidence of teaching and developing junior staff both formally and informally
  • Evidence of leading a change management initiative which improved Patient care
  • Proven experience of managing budgetary resources
  • Evidence of managing Employment relation issues
  • Proven experience of recruitment of staff to set world class values

Skills

Essential

  • Demonstrate advanced clinical expertise
  • Evidence of political awareness and professional issues in nursing
  • Experience of managing and sustaining change
  • Experience of developing and implementing new policies and guidance
  • Evidence of clinical standard/ guideline setting
  • Evidence of understanding professional issues in nursing
  • Skilled in staff selection and development
  • Thorough understanding and knowledge of key indicators of excellent quality care
  • Highly effective communication and relationship skills
  • Evidence of involvement with patient/user groups to develop patient centred care
  • Demonstrates skills in IT systems and use of word, excel and PowerPoint
  • Demonstrable ability to assess complexity and situations which require analysis and opinion

Personal Qualities & attributes

Essential

  • Evidence of recent personal development activity
  • Demonstrates an ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
  • Highly professional role model
  • Able to work to work under pressure
  • To be flexible and approachable

Royal Free World Class Values

Essential

  • Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Free Hospital

Pond Street

Hampstead

NW3 2QG


Employer's website

https://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Free Hospital

Pond Street

Hampstead

NW3 2QG


Employer's website

https://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Divisional Director of Nursing

Damir Tandaric

damir.tandaric@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

18 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£64,156 to £71,148 a year per annum inclusive of HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

391-RFL-7757129-A

Job locations

Royal Free Hospital

Pond Street

Hampstead

NW3 2QG


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)