Surgical Ward Manager / Inpatient Service Manager – Leading Private Hospital

£50,000-£55,000 plus Free Parking, Private Medical Cover & More!

Full-Time, Permanent, 37.5 Hours per Week

Southampton, Hampshire

Are you an experienced Nurse with solid leadership and management experience who is looking to lead from the front?

Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where teamwork, clinical excellence, and patient-centred care are at the heart of everything you do?

Compass Associates are proud to be working with a leading hospital group, who are currently in search for an exceptional Inpatient Service Manager to lead their Surgical and Orthopaedic Ward. This is a pivotal leadership role — guiding a 55-strong team through its next phase of stability, growth and cultural strengthening following a major ward merger.

This is not a desk-based management post. We are looking for a visible, compassionate leader who will spend significant time on the ward floor, building trust, modelling excellence and shaping a positive, high-performing culture.

Why This Role is Different

• Lead a clinically complex surgical and orthopaedic ward managing hip, knee and spine procedures, abdominal exenteration, stomas, plastics, gynaecology and urology cases.
• Shape and stabilise a team transitioning from a period of change into a confident, high-functioning service.
• Combine hands-on clinical leadership with strategic governance and operational management.
• Work within a structured and supportive leadership framework including 4 week intensive induction, 1:1 support with the Deputy Director of Clinical Services and 9-month structured objective setting for sustained development

The Role

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Clinical Services, you will:

• Provide visible, compassionate and credible clinical leadership on the ward floor.
• Lead a team of approximately 55 staff including a Deputy Manager, 4 Team Leaders, Registered Nurses and Healthcare Assistants.
• Oversee governance, investigations, complaints management and CQC compliance.
• Drive quality improvement, audit and performance initiatives.
• Lead change management and service development.
• Manage staffing, workforce planning and departmental budgets.
• Champion a patient-centred approach to complex surgical care.
• Build trust and morale within a team that values accessibility and authentic leadership.

Requirements

• Registered Nurse with active NMC registration.
• Right to Work in the UK
• Band 7 level experience, experience working as a Ward Manager / Inpatient Service Manager will be advantageous but we are happy to consider those looking for a step up
• Strong surgical and/or orthopaedic background
• Proven experience leading teams through change.
• Demonstrable experience managing investigations, complaints and CQC compliance.
• Experience managing performance and conducting appraisals.
• A leadership style rooted in care, compassion and staff engagement.
• Ability to balance ward presence with governance and operational responsibilities.
• Postgraduate qualification in leadership or management will be advantageous

If you are an experienced Ward Manager ready to take full ownership of a complex, high-profile inpatient service — and you believe compassionate leadership drives clinical excellence — we would love to hear from you.

Salary & Benefits

In return, there is a generous salary on offer of up to £55,000. They have an amazing benefits package including:

• Opportunities for funded courses
• Generous overtime enhancements
• 35 days Annual Leave (including Bank Holidays) which increase with length of service
• Private Pension Scheme
• Private Medical Cover
• Free Eye Tests
• Health Assessments
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Retail & Gym Membership Discounts
• Life Assurance
• Enhanced Sick Pay
• Maternity, Paternity & Adoption Leave
• Free parking

Recommendations

Compass Associates Ltd is acting as a recruitment Consultancy for this permanent vacancy; we offer £200 John Lewis vouchers for each successful recommendation/ referral.

Contact Details

If you would like to be considered for this exciting opportunity, please contact Rachel Smith direct on 02392 002 799. Alternatively, you can email an updated CV to rsmith@compassltd.co.uk