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 [email protected]
