Job summary
- Main area
- Emergency Medicine
- Grade
- Band 8a
- Contract
- Permanent: Manager on call commitment
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 279-7155743-MAY25
- Employer
- 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Royal Sussex County Hospital
- Town
- Brighton
- Salary
- £53,755 - £60,504 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 10/06/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Matron - Emergency Department
Band 8a
About our Trust
At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First . In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Job overview
The role of the Matron in an Emergency Department (ED) has never been more challenging, rewarding or important. As we navigate unprecedented pressures—staff shortages, increasing patient demand, and the transformation of our physical and operational spaces—it’s an exciting time for a leader who thrives in dynamic environments to join our ED team.
Strong, compassionate and inspirational Leaders are now more critical than ever in driving innovation, fostering high-quality patient care, and leading their teams through transformation, ensuring we can meet the needs of our patients and prepare for the future of emergency care.
We're looking for a dynamic leader with a solid foundation in operational and managerial leadership within the Emergency and Acute specialties. Your focus on the development and sustainability of services will span safety, day to day operational demands, finance, quality, and experience for patients and staff. The ideal candidate will have a clear vision for service change, a passion for delivery, an interest in governance and safety and extensive experience in Emergency Department or Major Trauma nursing.
By fostering a culture of high performance, you will ensure the provision of sustained high-quality services and standards in the RSCH ED.
Together, we will challenge traditional systems and redefine what it means to deliver outstanding healthcare in the Royal Sussex County Hospital ED. Join us in shaping the future of emergency care.
Main duties of the job
We welcome applications from those who currently hold a UK NMC registration. If you currently hold an overseas nursing qualification and require sponsorship we are not currently direct hiring Internationally Qualified Nurses.
Your role will be central to the day-to-day management and operational responsibilities, while your ability to communicate change effectively will inspire and engage the ED team and wider acute floor MDT.
The successful applicant will work alongside a second Matron and will support an experienced team of Band 7 senior nurses in providing leadership across the ED Department to support the delivery of high-quality patient experience, care safety and regulatory compliance for the Royal Sussex County Hospital.
We are looking for someone with operational and managerial leadership within the Emergency and Acute specialties and who has a clear focus on the development and sustainability of services both from a safety, finance, quality, outcomes, and experience perspective. You will have a clear vision and passion for service change, delivery, and transformation. Our ideal candidate will have experience in Emergency Department/Major trauma nursing.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Matron will support the Directorate Head of Nursing (HON) in the delivery of key performance targets. S/he will be accountable for the provision of effective professional nursing leadership and proactive resource management for their clinical area. As an experienced practitioner the post holder will be expected to focus on providing a clean environment for care, ensuring best practice in infection control, improving clinical care standards and treating patients with dignity and respect.
For full details please see the attached job description and person specification.
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
- Extensive experience at ward manager level or equivalent managerial role
- Excellent professional and leadership skills with evidence of successfully managing high-performing teams.
Skills
Essential criteria
- Evidence of excellent ability to demonstrate a problem solving approach and have evidence to demonstrate actions arising have been implemented
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Masters level qualification or equivalent professional knowledge acquired through degree/diploma supplemented by specialist training or equivalent experience to masters level
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Craig Marsh
- Job title
- Head of Nursing - Acute Floor RSCH
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01273 696955
- Additional information
Kimberly O'Hara - Divisional Director of Nursing, Medicine Division 01273696955 or kimberly.o'[email protected]
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