Ward Manager

We are seeking an exceptional and experienced Ward Manager. This is an exciting opportunity for an expert surgical nurse who is passionate about delivering outstanding, evidence‑based patient care and providing inspirational leadership to a high‑performing clinical team.

As the Ward Manager, you will take full responsibility for the daily operational management of the ward, ensuring patients receive consistently high‑quality care in a safe, well‑organised, and patient‑centred environment. You will act as a visible role model, dividing your time between clinical duties and managerial leadership, and ensuring that staffing, patient flow, and resources are aligned to deliver an exceptional service.

This role requires strong leadership, excellent clinical judgement, and the ability to motivate, support, and develop your team. You will oversee HR responsibilities for the ward, including recruitment, supervision, performance management, and supporting professional development.

As part of the Senior Leadership Team, you will also deputise for the Head of Nursing and cover senior operational duties in their absence, including supporting the Clinical Site Manager and other Ward Managers when required.

This post is Monday to Friday, working core service hours. The postholder is expected to spend approximately 50% of their time working clinically on the ward, including managing the daily nursing numbers.

Clinical Leadership & Patient Care

• Lead and role‑model exceptional, evidence‑based surgical nursing care across the ward and day‑case pathways.

• Maintain high clinical standards by assessing patient needs, monitoring risks, overseeing care delivery, and ensuring accurate, holistic documentation.

• Act as a visible and accessible point of contact for patients, families, and staff, providing advice, support, and clear communication.

• Demonstrate clinical expertise, supervise practice, and act as a resource for colleagues across the hospital.

• Ensure compliance with medicines management, infection prevention, equipment safety, and the ward‑based audit programme.

• Actively gather and act upon patient feedback, managing concerns and complaints promptly.

Operational & Ward Management

• Oversee the day‑to‑day delivery of safe, efficient, and effective ward operations, including patient flow, bed utilisation, admissions, discharges, and theatre starts.

• Ensure appropriate staffing levels and skill mix are maintained within budget and aligned with patient needs.

• Take responsibility for the ward environment, equipment, consumables, cleanliness, and regulatory compliance (including CQC readiness).

• Manage administrative and governance duties such as KPI reporting, quality data capture, rota oversight, incident investigation, and complaint response.

• Contribute to the development and implementation of policies, SOPs, and quality initiatives.

• Support sustainability initiatives and seek opportunities to reduce environmental impact.

Leadership, Team Development & HR Management

• Provide inspirational and motivational leadership, supporting a positive, inclusive, and high‑performing team culture.

• Take full responsibility for staff management including recruitment, induction, appraisals, sickness, performance management, retention, and disciplinary matters.

• Ensure adherence to HR policies, maintain skills and competency records, and promote continuous professional development.

• Mentor, coach, and support staff, encouraging reflective practice and fostering a learning environment aligned with NMC and RCN standards.

• Communicate effectively with staff, ensuring information is cascaded appropriately through meetings, briefings, and written updates.

• Support staff wellbeing through empathy, approachability, and professional integrity.

• Commit to your own professional development as a clinical leader.

Senior Leadership & Cross‑Site Responsibilities

• Act as an active member of the senior leadership team, taking on delegated lead roles, participating in committees, and contributing to organisational development.

• Deputise for the Head of Nursing and cover for the Clinical Site Manager and other Ward Managers as required.

• Maintain strong communication and collaborative working relationships with consultants and multidisciplinary teams to support personalised patient care.

• Lead staff and services through change, demonstrating resilience, balance, and sound judgement.

Quality, Safety & Performance

• Monitor clinical standards and practice, ensuring alignment with policies, evidence‑based guidelines, NICE standards, and regulatory expectations.

• Oversee nursing performance indicators, implement improvement plans, and ensure governance processes are completed to a high standard.

• Ensure cleanliness, safety, and infection‑prevention standards are consistently met.

• Maintain compliance with mandatory training, record‑keeping requirements, and policy adherence.

• Work towards achieving outstanding regulatory outcomes and excellent patient experience scores.

Performance Measurements

• Regulatory compliance (incl. CQC), KPIs, audit results, budget management, patient outcomes and satisfaction, adherence to professional standards, and staff feedback.

About Fortius:

Fortius Clinic has more than 200 specialists from surgeons to sports physicians, rheumatologists, pain management specialists and radiologists. We diagnose and treat thousands of patients every year, from elite and amateur athletes to those with chronic arthritis and other orthopaedic injuries.

Fortius Clinic was founded by a group of specialists with a shared vision - to push the boundaries of orthopaedics and sports medicine and achieve new standards for clinical excellence. We knew that the way to achieve a world-class centre of excellence was through super-specialism, dedicating resource and expertise to one area of medicine and attracting like-minded clinicians who understood that we could be ‘stronger together’.

In 2021 Fortius Clinic became part of Affidea Group, a leading European healthcare provider owned by GBL, itself a long-term investor in health brands. Affidea has committed to help Fortius achieve our vision to become Europe’s leading specialist provider of orthopaedics and sports medicine.

We have some of the most exciting and rewarding career opportunities in private healthcare. Fortius is built on the talent and the skills of each individual within it. Our core company values remain at the heart of everything we do.

Benefits:

• Highly competitive salary

• Private Medical and Dental Insurance

• Company Pension Scheme

• Perkbox - save money and earn perks while you shop!

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Occupational health services

• Season Ticket Loans

• Cycle to work scheme

• Childcare Vouchers

• Referral Scheme: earn £1500 for every successful referral!!