The South East Critical Care Strategic Network (CCSN) is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity as Clinical Lead in the Neonatal Operational Delivery Network (hosted within University Hospital Southampton - Division C).

Job Title: Clinical Lead - Neonatal Operational Delivery Network (ODN) South East
Start Date: October 2026
Contract Type: Fixed term
Duration: 3 year tenure
Purpose for Fixed Term: Limited Term Project

Provide senior clinical leadership across the South East Neonatal Network, with an initial focus on Thames Valley and Wessex, supporting the delivery of safe, effective, equitable and high-quality neonatal care and ensuring alignment with national, regional and system priorities.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Clinical Lead – Neonatal Operational Delivery Network South East – Remote Role for 2PA

Established in 2025/26, the Strategic Network for Critical Care brings together the existing neonatal Operational Delivery Networks across Thames Valley and Wessex (TVW) and Kent, Surrey and Sussex (KSS) into a new, single regional network. This new approach strengthens collaboration, consistency, clinical leadership and system-wide improvement in neonatal care across the region.

The network will support services across both TVW and KSS localities, working in partnership with Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), commissioners, provider organisations, clinical teams and wider system partners. It will deliver core network functions including service delivery, quality improvement, workforce, education, transformation, collaboration, data and intelligence, and population health.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Neonatal Clinical Lead to provide senior clinical leadership across the South East Neonatal Network. With an initial focus on TVW, this role will be central to shaping and delivering neonatal priorities across both localities and supporting the ongoing development of a single, cohesive regional network.

This is a key leadership opportunity to influence neonatal care at scale, working within a collaborative, clinically led model that promotes partnership, innovation and shared learning, and ensures the delivery of safe, high-quality care for babies and their families.

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.  

We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme. 

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

Provide senior clinical leadership across the South East Neonatal Network, with an initial focus on Thames Valley and Wessex, supporting the delivery of safe, effective, equitable and high-quality neonatal care and ensuring alignment with national, regional and system priorities.

Lead and contribute to the development and delivery of the network workplan, driving quality improvement, service transformation, workforce sustainability, education and training, and reducing unwarranted variation in neonatal outcomes across the region.

Work collaboratively with neonatal clinical teams, provider organisations, ICBs and wider system partners to strengthen clinical engagement, promote best practice and innovation, and support a coordinated, data-informed and population-focused approach to neonatal care across TVW and KSS.

Important Additional Information Relating To Your Employment: 
 
All applicants invited to interview will be asked to confirm and agree the following which will be managed through an MOU between the network and the employing trust: 

-Employing manager’s approval required to undertake the role
-Confirmation of Manager’s Name, title and email address (included on application form) 
-Please confirm your employing Trust can release you for 1 PA and that this time will be dedicated to the network within your job plan 
-To confirm that your employing organisation has agreed to your application understanding that reimbursement for Clinical Leads is standardised to employing Trust at the BMA rate of 8-13yrs experience. For 26/27 this is expected to be £16,907 PA, which is the basic rate plus NIC and employer pension contribution. Any other awards or added payments that consultants receive are not included in the reimbursement from NHSE and as such will need to be paid by the employing trust. Individual Clinical Lead salary is unaffected by the standardised reimbursement rate.  
-Tenure will be for 3 years with a maximum of 2 terms (6 years) 

For an overview of the position, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification document. This includes a detailed breakdown of the key responsibilities, role expectations, and the qualifications we are looking for. It outlines the essential criteria for the role and is designed to support you in preparing your application by helping you evaluate how your skills, experience, and professional background align with the requirements of the role.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

This is a hosted post where the network reimburse the current employing trust £16,907 per PA per year for the PAs worked (maximum of 2 PAs) under this role.

The successful candidate will be employed under the terms and conditions of service for Consultants (England) 2003.

Proposed interview date: 11th August 2026
This vacancy closes on or before: 23rd July 2026