Job Summary The Kent and Medway Pathology Network Head of Quality, Risk and Governance is a new role responsible for quality assurance, risk management and governance within the KMPN joint venture. The postholder will develop a single oversight and reporting framework, ensuring an effective joint system of quality governance that meets all legislative and regulatory requirements. They will also represent health and safety in the network leadership team, overseeing and escalating health and safety risks. Main Duties Provide leadership and oversight of all aspects of the quality and governance agenda for the network. Manage the existing quality management teams, including three direct reports, and design and lead a new function across the maturing pathology network. About Us Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is a large acute hospital trust in south‑east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to about 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. The Trust employs over 8,000 staff and offers specialised cancer services to more than two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre. Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, joined the Trust in October 2024 and offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day‑care beds, diagnostic services (X‑ray, MRI, CT, endoscopy) and consultation/treatment rooms. We are a flexible‑working friendly organisation. We can work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients and the Trust. Benefits

At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro‑rata for part‑time staff). Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme with a 23.7% employer contribution and life assurance benefits. Blue Light card eligibility. Additional benefits available in the benefits documents.

Job Details Band: 8d Salary: £91,342 to £105,337 a year, pro‑rata. Contract: Permanent Working pattern: Full‑time, flexible working, home or remote work possible. Locations: Kent House Ashford or Maidstone General Hospital, Ashford, TN231PJ Reference number: 359-7227401‑T4‑B Qualifications and Experience Essential qualifications:

HCPC/NMC/GMC registration. Master’s Degree or equivalent experience in Biomedical Science, Quality Management Systems or healthcare management. Quality management or healthcare management qualification or equivalent experience. Evidence of continuing professional development. Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.

Desirable qualifications:

Health & safety qualification (e.g., NEBOSH, IOSH).

Essential experience:

Advanced theoretical and practical experience in quality and governance with significant senior role experience. Experience developing and embedding quality standards. Experience providing professional management and overseeing staff development within a quality setting. Experience with regulatory and accreditation processes, dealing reactively with assessment and inspection findings. Experience planning and organising external assessment and inspection visits and presenting to senior management. Experience in a variety of laboratory settings. Implementation of quality assurance programmes/initiatives. Understanding and use of different audit methods. Advanced knowledge of risk and incident management, health & safety and quality management. Knowledge of Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF) and relevant current guidelines, standards and best practice.

Desirable experience:

Experience working across multiple organisations covering multiple sites. Experience serious incident investigation process and panel meetings. Experience implementing health and safety legislation. Experience attending Duty of Candour meetings with patients. Knowledge and experience of Project Management.

Essential skills:

Effective leadership and ability to motivate. Ability to lead and drive change. Management across multiple sites. Proven problem‑solving skills. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including providing and receiving complex and contentious information for different audiences. Influence and negotiate in potentially hostile or antagonistic situations. Organisational skills to manage a busy workload, competing workstreams, a team and multiple stakeholders. Evidence of recent innovation. Good presentation skills and ability to present to large groups. IT skills, able to use a variety of packages to analyse and present data and generate reports (e.g., document control systems, Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint). Experience managing staff across several sites.

Desirable skills:

Coaching/mentoring skills. Presenting skills.

Legal and Immigration Requirements This post is subject to a standard Disclosure and Barring Service Check. The postholder must also complete our corporate trust induction after a start date is agreed. Applicants requiring skilled worker sponsorship should ensure they provide the required criminal record certificates and other documents as set out by UK Visas and Immigration. Applicants must have a current UK professional registration. Employer Details Employer name: Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust Address: Kent House Ashford or Maidstone General Hospital, Ashford, TN231PJ Website: https://www.mtw.nhs.uk/ #J-18808-Ljbffr