Job summary
- Main area
- Midwifery
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 8c
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 372-FSS3150
- Employer
- Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Calderdale Royal Hospital
- Town
- Halifax
- Salary
- Dependant on experience
- Closing
- 20/09/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 08/10/2026
Employer heading
Head of Midwifery
NHS AfC: Band 8c
Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT) are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics.
We are committed to recruiting to our values. Leading One Culture of Care underpins our values by creating an environment, tone and behaviours across all parts of the Trust that are fundamentally rooted in compassionate care.
We are open to considering a wide range of flexible working arrangements. There are opportunities to flex the days of the week, hours and times of work and place of work including: part-time, job-share, flexible working hours and the possibility to work from home when appropriate. Please talk to us during the interview process to discuss any flexibility that you may require.
We received our Silver Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme which is helping actively promote SaBRE - Supporting Britain’s Reservists and Employers. This means that we provided its statement of intent to support all Defence personnel and we welcome application to work for us.
Our Future Plans
The Department of Health and Social Care has awarded capital funding to invest in local health services at both Calderdale Royal Hospital and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary. This is a significant investment and an opportunity to enhance services for our populations in Calderdale and Huddersfield and West Yorkshire for generations to come. To find out more, please visit https://future.cht.nhs.uk/
Job overview
Calling all aspiring Heads of Midwifery!
Join us at CHFT for an exciting opportunity to lead and influence the future of maternity and women's services. You'll play a key role in driving safety, quality, and innovation while supporting our dedicated teams to deliver outstanding care for women, babies, and families. Make a difference. Lead with purpose. Shape the future of maternity care with us at CHFT
Main duties of the job
The Head of Midwifery will work collaboratively with the Associate Director of Nursing / Director of Midwifery (ADN/DOM) to provide assurance to the Divisional Senior Leadership team, Executive Team and Board of Directors that robust systems of governance and performance management are in place and that high quality patient led services are being developed and delivered in the Women’s and Family Health Directorate (WFH).
Working for our organisation
CHFT is an integrated acute and community Trust serving diverse communities across Calderdale and Kirklees, with strong partnerships across West Yorkshire. We are proud of our One Culture of Care — caring for each other with the same compassion, kindness and respect that we show our patients and of the values that underpin how we work: we put people first, we go see, we work together to get results, and we do the must dos.
CHFT is recognised as a forward looking, digitally enabled Trust, with a strong track record of using data, innovation and system collaboration to improve quality, safety and outcomes. We are ambitious about the role that acute trusts play in prevention, population health and reducing inequalities, and this post sits at the heart of that agenda.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- The post holder will support the ADN/DOM in providing leadership and strategic direction to the maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services in the WFH directorate.
- The post holder will be a key member of the directorate senior leadership team alongside the Clinical Director and General Manager (directorate triumvirate), who will be jointly responsible for the delivery of clinical and professional standards in the directorate.
- The postholder will lead on a portfolio of work identified and delegated by the ADN/DOM.
- The postholder will have a key role in supporting the delivery of the clinical Governance Programme for the WFH directorate leading on key aspects of the Quality and safety agenda.
- The post holder will have an in-depth knowledge of the services, locally and nationally, and the political environment the post holder is working. This role provides direct support to the ADN/DOM.
- The post holder will deputise for the ADN/DOM when necessary, undertaking any responsibilities, as delegated, including representing maternity services at Trust Quality Committee, Board level and external local, regional or national forums as required.
- The post holder will provide midwifery and nursing leadership and expert midwifery and nursing advice working closely with the ADN/DOM to ensure that a high standard of patient care is delivered.
- The post holder will support the ADN/DOM to lead midwifery and nursing practice and will be expected to develop innovative practice in relation to the provision of midwifery and nursing services to women and other pregnant people, babies and families.
Person specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential criteria
- Registered Midwife
- Educated to Degree Level in a relevant subject
- Evidence of Professional Development across the last 3 years
- Master’s level degree/evidence of study at Master’s level or equivalent demonstrable experience
Desirable criteria
- Management qualification or equivalent
- Registered Nurse
Knowledge, Experience and Expertise
Essential criteria
- Significant proven managerial experience at a senior level within midwifery leading and managing a number of clinical areas or departments
- A proven track records of leadership, performance improvement and organisational change
- Evidence of forging and nurturing partnerships and collaborative relationships
- Experience of supporting a large, complex professional workforce
- Experience of quality and risk management, to include experience in analysing and resourcing complex complaints
- Understanding and appreciation of diversity
- Understanding and appreciation of key issues and pace of change facing the NHS nationally and locally and can describe impact on clinical professional service
- Knowledge and understanding of computerised- financial, management, budgetary management, and workforce information systems
- Knowledge and understanding of governance arrangements and standards in the NHS and the wider health and social economy
- Significant clinical experience across maternity settings
Desirable criteria
- Involvement in strategic development and implementation
- Participation in audit and promotion of evidence-based practice
Communication and Relationships
Essential criteria
- A high level of communication skills, to include but not exclusively, mediation, negotiation, consultation, facilitation, presentation, training, and coaching skills using well developed interpersonal skills to influence, inform, reconcile differences, and resolve conflicts.
- Able to solve difficult problems, using a solution focused approach demonstrating competent persuasive and influencing skills
- Able to use research information and audit skills to apply findings to influence practice and develop business cases/plans.
- Ability to analyse data and information, including preparing responses to issues, weighing risks, and forming judgements often within tight timescales.
- Competently implement business cases and projects plans in order to deliver the Nursing and Midwifery Strategy for the directorate.
- Ability to network across directorates and divisions
- Able to demonstrate a broad knowledge of health policy in relation to nursing and midwifery practice
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Gemma Puckett
- Job title
- Director of Midwifery
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Additional information
Gill harries Deputy Director of Operation, [email protected]
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