Director of Safety & Patient Safety Specialist

We are seeking an exceptional and visionary leader to join our organisation asDirector of Safety & Patient Safety Specialist. This is a pivotal executive-level role, responsible for shaping, leading and embedding a culture of patient safety across the Trust. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced senior leader with a passion for patient safety, quality improvement and organisational transformation to influence strategic decision-making at the highest level, drive improvements in patient outcomes and ensure safety remains at the heart of everything we do. About the Role Reporting to the Executive Nurse, you will be the Trust's lead patient safety expert, providing visible, influential leadership across all aspects of patient safety, risk management, organisational learning, complaints, patient experience and quality improvement. Working closely with the Executive Team, Board members, operational leaders and clinical teams, you will lead the strategic patient safety agenda and ensure the Trust continues to develop a proactive, learning-focused and safety-driven culture. Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the development and delivery of the Trust's patient safety strategy.
• Providing executive leadership for the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF), Duty of Candour and Learning from Deaths programmes.
• Driving improvement through systems thinking, human factors and Just Culture principles.
• Providing expert advice to the Board and senior leaders on patient safety risks, incidents and emerging themes.
• Ensuring robust systems are in place to identify, investigate and learn from incidents and complaints.
• Overseeing patient safety intelligence, reporting and organisational learning processes.
• Leading the Complaints and PALS functions to ensure patient feedback drives meaningful improvement.
• Working collaboratively with patients, carers, regulators, commissioners and system partners to improve safety outcomes.
• Developing patient safety capability through training, coaching, leadership development and quality improvement methodologies.
• Supporting the Trust's ambition to become a recognised leader in patient safety and continuous improvement.
Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.
• Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
• Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
• If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
  
  We are looking for an inspirational and highly credible leader who has a proven track record of delivering strategic change and improving patient outcomes within complex healthcare environments.
You will be passionate about creating safer systems of care, influencing culture change and empowering teams to learn and improve. Essential Requirements
• Master's degree or equivalent level of knowledge and experience.
• Leadership qualification or significant leadership development experience.
• Advanced knowledge and experience of quality improvement methodologies.
• Significant senior-level experience in patient safety, quality, governance or risk management.
• Extensive knowledge of NHS patient safety policy, strategy and regulatory frameworks.
• Proven experience of leading large-scale organisational change and service improvement programmes.
• Expertise in systems-based approaches to safety, incident investigation and human factors.
• Strong understanding of learning systems, governance and quality assurance mechanisms.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience of presenting complex information to Boards, executives and external stakeholders.
• Ability to analyse complex data and translate findings into strategic actions and improvements.
Desirable Requirements
• Professional clinical qualification and current registration.
• Recognised qualification in quality improvement, patient safety or human factors.
• Experience of working at Board or system level.
What We Offer This role provides the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the quality and safety of services for patients, carers and communities. You will join a forward-thinking organisation committed to continuous improvement, learning and innovation, working alongside highly skilled colleagues who are passionate about delivering outstanding care.


• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
• Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
• Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
• £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
• Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.
Work that wraps around your needs