Job summary
Permanent | Full Time | Proposed interview date 02-Mar-2026
We are seeking an energetic, innovative, compassionate, and highly motivated senior nursing leader to join our Senior Nursing Team at Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust as the Associate Director of Nursing (ADN) for the Medicine Care Group.
This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic leader who is passionate about delivering exceptional patient and family-centred care, driving improvements, and shaping the future of children's healthcare services.
About You
- Demonstrates strong and compassionate leadership
- Is passionate about improving patient and family experiences
- Thrives in a collaborative and fast-paced environment
- Has a proven track record in nursing governance, quality improvement and workforce leadership
- Brings creativity, resilience, and strategic insight to the role
Main duties of the job
This post provides senior professional leadership to nurses across the Care Group and wider Trust. As a highly visible role, it ensures nursing makes a strong contribution to high-quality clinical care, education and research.
The Care Group Associate Director of Nursing (ADN) will work closely with the Care Group Triumvirate to provide assurance to the Executive Team and Trust Board that robust governance systems and exemplary nursing standards are in place. They will ensure services meet agreed objectives and are delivered within budget.
You will be accountable for the safe and effective delivery of nursing care across the Care Group, setting high standards and meeting regulatory and commissioner requirements. They will support and engage nursing colleagues to deliver excellent patient and family-centred care.
The ADN will proactively oversee nursing workforce planning, supporting the development of new workforce models to meet service demand.
The role includes collaborating with partner organisations, implementing national and local policy, and shaping a long-term strategic vision for high-quality, sustainable services.
You will also deputise for the Deputy Chief Nurse when required.
About us
At Sheffield Children's, our purpose is clear: to provide healthier futures for children and young people. Our three strategic aims are Outstanding Patient Care, Brilliant Place to Work, and Leaders in Children's Health.
We work with partners across local, regional, and national levels to deliver physical and mental healthcare in both acute and community settings. Many of our clinicians are nationally and internationally recognised for their expertise.
We're proud that 73% of colleagues would recommend Sheffield Children's as a place to work, placing us among the top five NHS trusts in England -- and the top-ranked trust in the North East and Yorkshire -- in the latest NHS Staff Survey.
Our nearly 4,000 colleagues bring our CARE values -- Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence -- to life every day, creating a kind, welcoming environment where patients and families feel safe and supported.
As we approach our 150th anniversary in 2026, we're excited to keep building our leadership in children's health, improve experiences for patients and staff, and focus on our communities and population health.
We also offer excellent benefits to support your wellbeing, with generous annual leave and pension schemes, health and wellbeing programmes, and exclusive discounts -- helping you thrive at work and beyond.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For more information on the main responsibilities for this post, please refer to the job description and person specification.
*** This role has been assigned the occupation code 1171 using the CASCOT coding tool. To check the eligibility of this code for sponsorship and right to work please visit - UKVI web address https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations-and-codes
Diversity Statement
At Sheffield Childrens, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and supports everyones success. We prioritise Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in our recruitment practices, creating a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds, including ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ members.
Recognising that inclusivity is an ongoing effort, we review our processes and welcome feedback to enhance our practices. A diverse team strengthens our organisation and the quality of care we deliver. For ideas on how we can improve, please contact our Recruitment Manager at scn-tr.recruitment.team@nhs.net. Together, were building a workplace where everyone belongs.
#LI-Onsite
Job description
Job responsibilities
For more information on the main responsibilities for this post, please refer to the job description and person specification.
*** This role has been assigned the occupation code 1171 using the CASCOT coding tool. To check the eligibility of this code for sponsorship and right to work please visit - UKVI web address https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations-and-codes
Diversity Statement
At Sheffield Childrens, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and supports everyones success. We prioritise Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in our recruitment practices, creating a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds, including ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ members.
Recognising that inclusivity is an ongoing effort, we review our processes and welcome feedback to enhance our practices. A diverse team strengthens our organisation and the quality of care we deliver. For ideas on how we can improve, please contact our Recruitment Manager at scn-tr.recruitment.team@nhs.net. Together, were building a workplace where everyone belongs.
#LI-Onsite
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Registered Nurse with current relevant professional registration related to post
- Educated to Master's level or equivalent level of experience
- Recognised leadership course or programme
- Evidence of on-going continuing professional development
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience of working in a senior leadership role
- Evidence of clinical and management experience in the relevant setting to role
- Evidence of being able to plan strategically, tactically, and creatively and prioritise work in a demanding environment
- Ability to analyse complex problems and to develop practical and workable solutions to address them
- Experience of implementing strategy, setting clear objectives and holding people to account for delivery
- Experience of using improvement methodologies to lead service change involving colleagues and patients
- Experience of communicating in multi-cultural environments often dealing with intricate and sensitive issues
- Proven track record of sound financial management and the delivery of cost improvement programmes
- Evidence of the development of working relationships with stakeholders outside of the organisation
Desirable
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Ability to provide credible clinical leadership, gaining the respect of all colleagues both inside and outside of the organisation
- Can question others and constructively challenge in decision making
- Can cope in complex environments, and deal with challenging situations
- Ability to interpret data to understand the effectiveness of patient care and develop consistent reliable care
- Ability to systematically appraise current practice, systems and processes and identify areas for improvement
- Can communicate with patients in an empathetic manner in relation to treatment and complex issues
- Is aware of developments within the NHS and can understand the potential impact on services
- Ability to proactively manage complex and challenging situations
- Proficient skills in IT including knowledge of data bases and spreadsheets
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Requirement to travel between sites and to regional meetings
- Ability to adapt to changing situations and meet deadlines
- Leads by example, promoting the highest standards of personal and professional conduct, integrity and probity
- Can articulate if values and ethics are comprised in decision making
- Is assertive and confident in approach
- Has highly developed organisational skills, self-motivation, drive for performance and improvement and flexibility in approach and attitude
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Registered Nurse with current relevant professional registration related to post
- Educated to Master's level or equivalent level of experience
- Recognised leadership course or programme
- Evidence of on-going continuing professional development
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience of working in a senior leadership role
- Evidence of clinical and management experience in the relevant setting to role
- Evidence of being able to plan strategically, tactically, and creatively and prioritise work in a demanding environment
- Ability to analyse complex problems and to develop practical and workable solutions to address them
- Experience of implementing strategy, setting clear objectives and holding people to account for delivery
- Experience of using improvement methodologies to lead service change involving colleagues and patients
- Experience of communicating in multi-cultural environments often dealing with intricate and sensitive issues
- Proven track record of sound financial management and the delivery of cost improvement programmes
- Evidence of the development of working relationships with stakeholders outside of the organisation
Desirable
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Ability to provide credible clinical leadership, gaining the respect of all colleagues both inside and outside of the organisation
- Can question others and constructively challenge in decision making
- Can cope in complex environments, and deal with challenging situations
- Ability to interpret data to understand the effectiveness of patient care and develop consistent reliable care
- Ability to systematically appraise current practice, systems and processes and identify areas for improvement
- Can communicate with patients in an empathetic manner in relation to treatment and complex issues
- Is aware of developments within the NHS and can understand the potential impact on services
- Ability to proactively manage complex and challenging situations
- Proficient skills in IT including knowledge of data bases and spreadsheets
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Requirement to travel between sites and to regional meetings
- Ability to adapt to changing situations and meet deadlines
- Leads by example, promoting the highest standards of personal and professional conduct, integrity and probity
- Can articulate if values and ethics are comprised in decision making
- Is assertive and confident in approach
- Has highly developed organisational skills, self-motivation, drive for performance and improvement and flexibility in approach and attitude
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).
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.
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).
