The Royal College of Nursing is the voice of nursing. The RCN is the largest professional body and trade union for nurses in the World. We support over half a million members to pursue excellence in their practice and lobby on their behalf to make a positive difference to their professional lives. This is a fantastic time to join the RCN.

Many aspects of nursing need fixing, and we’re the organisation to help fix them. We’ll set the standards and drive the vision of what outstanding nursing care is, does and needs. We’ll determine the solutions for nursing and deliver them. We'll be fearless and uncompromising in our pursuit of progressing the remarkable profession of nursing.

As our UK Deputy Chief Nursing Officer, you will ensure that the Royal College of Nursing builds on and strengthens its leadership position as the voice of the nursing. The role will support the RCN as we authentically listen to members to position nursing as a modern, contemporary, and evolving profession.  You will contribute to the development and delivery of a dynamic Nursing Strategy that ensures the RCN’s position as the thought leaders for the profession. 

You will work closely with elected and wider members and external stakeholders across the UK to provide credible, effective, and visible professional nursing leadership. The UK Deputy Chief Nursing Officer will work in a responsive proactive manner and to ensure that the relevant workforce, professional practice, and all our work results in delivery of the College’s ambitions and objectives. Your role is to lead and contribute to the development of a competent capable nursing workforce that are empowered to influence, lead, and deliver safe and effective care. 

Reporting to the UK Chief Nurse and working across the UK and in partnership with the four country directors, and the Director of the Institute, their teams, and alongside RCN members, you will drive effective matrix working to ensure a four-country approach to the development and implementation of national and international RCN strategy for Nursing.  

You will drive and enable the organisation to achieve the College’s Royal charter objectives by helping RCN members and the wider profession across all sectors to enhance their practice; develop nursing as a profession and a career; and influence nursing, health, and social care policy nationally and internationally.

The ability to foster strong professional relationships and encourage close collaboration between departments is at the heart of this leadership role. You’ll need a current and active registration with the NMC and significant experience of leadership at a senior management level in a complex health and social care or similar organisation.

To succeed at the Royal College of Nursing all you need to do is think bigger, better and brighter. And with an attitude like that, anything’s possible.

What we offer you

We expect you to look after our members. And we expect you to be rewarded for it. We offer an impressive range of benefits, a broad range of learning development opportunities and an award-winning health and wellbeing programme. We offer annual leave up to 32 days plus bank holidays and three additional days for the Christmas break plus generous maternity, adoption, paternity, and shared parental leave packages.

*We offer a competitive pay structure with annual pay progression until you reach the top of the salary scale. We normally offer new employees the first point of the salary range, although you may be able to negotiate a higher starting salary depending on your skills, experience and current salary.

We are a diverse organisation and understand everyone has different needs and many of our employees enjoy flexible working enabling them to deliver results whilst having a good work life balance. Our hybrid working model allows for up to 60% of your working time to be carried out from home. At least 40% of your working time will be spent working in person. This role will require flexibility in response to member needs and college priorities and will involve some travel.

Our selection process

Please click the ‘apply now’ button and answer the supporting questions online demonstrating how you meet the criteria for this role. You may not be shortlisted if you don’t. Any identifying information in your application will automatically be anonymised for shortlisting purposes. 

We want your experience applying for a job with us to be the best it can be. We may hold our interviews and assessments in person or by video call. If you foresee any problems, please let us know.

Equal opportunities for everyone

Equity, diversity and inclusion are a priority for us and we aim to foster an inclusive environment so our people can bring their authentic selves to work. This is integral to our mission to enable you to support our members and ensure their voice is heard by all UK governments to get the best outcomes for them and their patients.

As proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme we actively encourage applications from people with disabilities.

Opening date: 16 December 2025

Closing date: 11.59pm on 18 January 2026

1st stage date: Virtual screening interview: afternoon of 12 February 2026

A further shortlist will then take place.

2nd stage interview date: In person at RCN UK HQ likely to be week commencing 16 February 2026.