Job summary
NHSBT is an organisation that works to save and improve lives through transplantation and transfusion.
The Head of Donor Experience (DX) Governance is accountable for setting, leading, and assuring the DX governance, risk, and assurance strategy for NHS Blood and Transplant, ensuring that robust, forward-looking governance underpins every stage of donor experience, engagement, and management. You will be responsible for defining the strategic direction for DX governance and ensuring that exemplary standards of compliance and ethical practice are consistently achieved across all donor services.
Main duties of the job
This role leads the design, approval, implementation, and ongoing refinement of a comprehensive DX governance framework and related delivery plans that safeguard the integrity of NHSBTs donor services and ensure full compliance with regulatory, legislative, and NHS requirements. As NHSBTs senior authority on DX governance, you will be accountable for setting governance expectations and advising the DX Senior Management Team (SMT), Executive Team, and Board on governance, risk, and assurance matters, driving alignment, consistency, and disciplined delivery of agreed governance strategies across the DX Directorate and the wider organisation.
Through visible and proactive leadership, the Head of DX Governance sets the strategic tone for a culture of learning, transparency, and continuous improvement, ensuring donor-centric governance principles are embedded within service design, transformation, and operational delivery. The role requires advanced strategic influence, the ability to shape and steer responses to complex clinical, operational, and regulatory challenges, and clear accountability for protecting public trust in the safety, quality, and ethical standards of NHSBTs donor services while strengthening organisational resilience.
About us
It takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHS Blood and Transplant, you'll join a team of more than 6,000 people who are making a genuine difference to communities, families, friends, relatives and more across the UK. We play a unique and special role in the NHS by helping people do something extraordinary- donate blood, blood products, organs, tissues, or stem cells to save someone in need.
Our three core values are what set us apart. They guide and inspire everything we do.
By being caring, expertly meeting the needs of our patients and our people, and accepting nothing less than the best quality, we can do extraordinary work and help our people to do something extraordinary in their career, too.
Three small words, one big difference - Caring, Expert and Quality. Together we'll save and improve more lives than ever.
You will join us on our journey to create an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with, and we positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.
Job description
Job responsibilities
What we offer:
- NHSBT promotes flexible working opportunities where the role will allow.
- 27 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time) plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years’ service and to 33 days after 10 years.
- NHS pension scheme. The NHS Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme (not dependent on investment returns) Further details and outline of benefits can be found at: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pensions
- We’ve fostered a culture of continuous learning where colleagues are well-led, engaged, and encouraged to grow. We support you in reaching your full potential, both in your current role and future career. Our Thrive program embodies our commitment to learning and development, offering a wide range of activities to support your personal and professional growth. It’s open to everyone at NHSBT, ensuring you have the resources to succeed and shine in your role.
To learn more, please see our recruitment profile, which provides a summary of the job description and person specification. This can be accessed via the link below, or by clicking ‘Apply’ if you are viewing this advert on another site.
Job description
Job responsibilities
What we offer:
- NHSBT promotes flexible working opportunities where the role will allow.
- 27 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time) plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years’ service and to 33 days after 10 years.
- NHS pension scheme. The NHS Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme (not dependent on investment returns) Further details and outline of benefits can be found at: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pensions
- We’ve fostered a culture of continuous learning where colleagues are well-led, engaged, and encouraged to grow. We support you in reaching your full potential, both in your current role and future career. Our Thrive program embodies our commitment to learning and development, offering a wide range of activities to support your personal and professional growth. It’s open to everyone at NHSBT, ensuring you have the resources to succeed and shine in your role.
To learn more, please see our recruitment profile, which provides a summary of the job description and person specification. This can be accessed via the link below, or by clicking ‘Apply’ if you are viewing this advert on another site.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Masters level (e.g. in healthcare, science, management, or a relevant discipline), or evidence of equivalent relevant experience
- Relevant postgraduate qualification (such as leadership, management, business administration, public health, or clinical governance), or equivalent demonstrable expertise through senior-level roles
- Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD), particularly in governance, risk management, leadership, or compliance.
- Advanced training or significant experience in governance systems, regulatory frameworks, risk management, and assurance (including ISO 22301 or business continuity standards, if possible).
- Knowledge of NHS regulation, clinical safety standards, audit methodology, and relevant legal frameworks.
- Possession of a full, valid UK driving licence, enabling nationwide travel to NHSBT sites, partners, and key stakeholder locations as required for the role.
- Willingness and flexibility to work outside regular hours, including evenings, weekends, and occasional overnight stays, in response to organisational needs and senior responsibilities, with appropriate advance notice.
- Able to manage workload and responsibilities with resilience and dedication, adapting to the demands of senior leadership in a multi-site national organisation
- Prepared to provide out-of-hours leadership and support during emergencies, critical incidents, or periods of strategic change as required by the organisation.
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience in leading change initiatives, embedding best practices, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and learning within a high-stakes environment.
- Advanced competence in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for reporting and presentation.
- Strong people management and leadership skills gained from working at a senior management position in a large organisation, with proven ability in influencing, negotiating motivation, staff development, conflict resolution and performance management.
- A senior manager and professional with extensive proven experience of managing and developing operational processes in a large-scale organisation.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Masters level (e.g. in healthcare, science, management, or a relevant discipline), or evidence of equivalent relevant experience
- Relevant postgraduate qualification (such as leadership, management, business administration, public health, or clinical governance), or equivalent demonstrable expertise through senior-level roles
- Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD), particularly in governance, risk management, leadership, or compliance.
- Advanced training or significant experience in governance systems, regulatory frameworks, risk management, and assurance (including ISO 22301 or business continuity standards, if possible).
- Knowledge of NHS regulation, clinical safety standards, audit methodology, and relevant legal frameworks.
- Possession of a full, valid UK driving licence, enabling nationwide travel to NHSBT sites, partners, and key stakeholder locations as required for the role.
- Willingness and flexibility to work outside regular hours, including evenings, weekends, and occasional overnight stays, in response to organisational needs and senior responsibilities, with appropriate advance notice.
- Able to manage workload and responsibilities with resilience and dedication, adapting to the demands of senior leadership in a multi-site national organisation
- Prepared to provide out-of-hours leadership and support during emergencies, critical incidents, or periods of strategic change as required by the organisation.
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience in leading change initiatives, embedding best practices, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and learning within a high-stakes environment.
- Advanced competence in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for reporting and presentation.
- Strong people management and leadership skills gained from working at a senior management position in a large organisation, with proven ability in influencing, negotiating motivation, staff development, conflict resolution and performance management.
- A senior manager and professional with extensive proven experience of managing and developing operational processes in a large-scale organisation.
