Head of Quality, Professional Standards and Compliance

Main area Quality, Professional Standards and Compliance Grade Band 8a Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 387-TS2229-LMH

Employer Bristol NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Trust Headquarters Town Bristol Salary £57,528 - £64,750 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 06/09/ :59

Head of Quality, Professional Standards and Compliance

Band 8a

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1 st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job overview

ASW Assurance has offices in Bristol, Exeter, Torquay and Truro and this post can be based in any of these office locations. However, there will be regular requirements to travel between offices.

TheHead of Quality, Professional Standards and Compliance will be responsible for leading thedevelopment, delivery and management of the Quality Assurance Framework for all ASW Assurance services, including Global Internal Audit Standards, External Quality Assessments, and internal quality assurance processes (internal audit, digital assurance, and counter fraud).

The postholder will provide professional leadership and delivery of training to all staff across the service, to ensure continued compliance with all professional standards and positioning and influence with professional bodies.

The postholder will also have lead accountability and responsibility for ASW Assurance’s Audit Management System (AMS), including overseeing and delivering training to all staff across the service.

Main duties of the job

Lead, the establishment, oversight, development and reporting of an effective Quality Assurance Framework across all ASW Assurance services. This includes implementing the setting of goals and standards to create a culture of continuous improvement and support the delivery of a safe and high-quality service.

Develop and maintain corporate oversight of the Quality Assurance Framework by which managers deliver risk-based plans with allocated clients, that are designed to produce sufficient assurances to fulfil the requirements of the Head of Internal Audit Opinion on the effectiveness of internal control.

Ensure the continued compliance with professional standards, with appropriate quality assurance both internally and through independent external assessments.

Provide expert advice, training, and guidance to ASW Assurance directors, managers, and staff on all relevant professional standards.

Working for our organisation

ASW Assurance is a leading not for profit NHS consortium, delivering internal audit, counter fraud and consultancy services to healthcare organisations including acute, mental health and foundation trusts, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and social enterprises.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations,operatingfrom three main sites at Southmead, Bristol citycentreand Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that theSouth Westhas to offer.Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retaina workforce whichrepresentsthe rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

See see attached job description and person specification for the main responsibilities of the role.

Working for organisation contd:

We do not simply deliver an internal audit and counter fraud service; we are dedicated to delivering quality and safe patient care, providing a cost-effective service with the benefit of a locally highly skilled, flexible and responsive workforce.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Relevant professional qualification at master’s level (examples include but are not limited to IIA, ACCA, ISO9001, Chartered Quality Institute) or significant relevant experience in a compliance/assurance function.

Experience

• Experience in the production of high-level analytical information and formal written report writing including Board level
• Experience of formulating bid submissions
• Experience of designing and delivering high level presentations to large groups
• Experience of the development, implementation, management and ongoing maintenance of business-critical information systems

Knowledge

• In-depth professional knowledge in quality improvement/regulatory compliance acquired through experience over an extended period.
• A worked understanding of internal audit/counter fraud professional standards, including the evidential requirements associated with independent External Quality Assessments.
• An understanding of the professional standards laid down by the Global Internal Audit Standards and service level quality procedures and standards.
• Ability to influence change
• Able to teach and deliver specialist training as required
• Be responsive to problems and have ability to meet deadlines
• Work independently under own initiative
• Horizon scanning and oversight for changes in professional practice and standards.
• Implementation of a service wide system, including overseeing and delivering training to staff.

Skills

• Must possess exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to simplify quality concepts/regulatory requirements and communicate these clearly to a wide-ranging audience.
• Ability to work with teams and support their needs using self-developed influencing and motivational skills.

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

• As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
• The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
• BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
• To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
• If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
• The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
• By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Address People & Transformation Division
North Bristol NHS Trust
Southmead Hospital
BS10 5NB
Telephone

#J-18808-Ljbffr