Director of Regulatory Affairs

Job Details

Employer: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. Site: Worthing Town. Contract: Fixed term 3 years (22.5 hours per week). Salary: based on experience. Closing date: 04/08/:59.

Job Overview

Interview Date: 11th August 2026. University Hospitals Sussex is the subject of an Independent Maternity Review (IMR) commissioned by the Department of Health. The review will examine approximately 1,000 cases and is expected to last at least 3 years, commencing October 2026.

Main duties of the job

The Director of Regulatory Affairs works closely with the Chief Executive and Chief Nursing Officer to ensure the Trust meets the requirements of the review process and its wider impacts. The role acts as senior leadership support to the review, ensuring the Trust provides a professional service to the IMR team, families, staff and other stakeholders. Responsibilities include:

• Establish and manage a dedicated IMR team and network of corporate support.
• Embed day to day management systems and implement effective communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Commission and test the effectiveness of enhanced staff support, and establish governance and reporting requirements.
• Serve as principal point of contact for regulatory and investigative processes following the review, including referral to regulatory bodies, legal claims and police.

Responsibilities (Detailed)

Leadership & Management

• Provide expert advice and support to senior Trust leaders on planning for and implementing the Trust's response to the IMR and Operation Bramber.
• Exercise judgement to identify ramifications and mitigate impacts on public trust.
• Manage the dedicated IMR support team, set standards, provide feedback and promote a culture of psychological safety.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and legal standards including GDPR, Caldicott, FOI, etc.
• Lead IMR planning, budget, and report on progress to DHSC NHSE, ICB, Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

Information Management

• Produce induction materials, manage data quality checks, and ensure timely delivery of information to the review team.
• Develop processes for case record handling, encryption and upload.
• Maintain a live log of corporate documents and ensure legal and HR readiness for claims.

Communications and Support for Families

• Embed trauma informed approach when working with families, reduce psychological impact.
• Develop communication strategy and risk mitigation plan, ensuring timely and sensitive communication.
• Work with various services and advocacy groups to provide accessible information to families.
• Encourage participation of diverse voices, including BAME groups and others.

Person Specification Knowledge & Skills

• Degree in a relevant healthcare discipline.
• Postgraduate degree or equivalent experience.
• In depth knowledge of clinical and operational issues within an acute setting.
• Understanding of Independent Maternity Reviews and NHS regulatory standards.
• Knowledge of NHS claims process, maternity and neonatal governance, trauma informed approaches.

Experience

• Executive Director level experience in a complex NHS provider.
• Leadership of responses to regulatory interventions such as CQC, NHSE undertakings.
• Programme management of complex, interdependent work.
• Relationship management with senior management and clinical professionals.
• Crisis communications and campaign group engagement.
• Experience briefing local politicians.

Communication Skills

• Active listening and ability to communicate complex information clearly.
• Tailoring information for varied audiences.
• Conflict resolution, partnership working and confidence to challenge colleagues.
• Creating psychologically safe spaces, writing papers for board level, staying calm in tense situations.
• Media trained, delivering presentations at high profile events.

People Management and Development

• Vision setting and plan execution.
• Standard setting and accountability.
• Staff prioritisation, problem solving, constructive feedback with confidence.
• Talent identification and development.
• Teaming approach and mentoring qualification.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

• Championing diversity and inclusion.
• Understanding of EDI issues in maternity and neonatal care.

Analytical and Judgement Skills

• Skill in anticipating practical and political impacts.
• Awareness of own expertise limits and when to seek help.
• Escalating issues appropriately.
• Interpreting complex data for decision making.

Planning and Organising Skills

• Detail oriented, strategic thinker.
• Planning over short, medium, long term timescales.
• Managing competing priorities, flexible adaptation.

Freedom to Act

• Autonomous decision making under pressure.