Job Summary
As National Quality Manager, you will lead NHS Blood and Transplant’s quality assurance agenda, supporting safe, effective, and compliant delivery of products and services across the organisation. You’ll apply your regulatory expertise to shape national policies, oversee the Quality Management System, and guide strategic programmes that improve patient outcomes. Working closely with senior leaders and specialist teams, you will influence change, drive best practice, and provide expert advice on high‑impact quality matters. You’ll manage and develop a national team of Quality Professionals and play a vital role in implementing new processes in response to regulatory change. This is a high‑profile leadership role where your decisions will directly support the safety and reliability of lifesaving treatments supplied every day by NHSBT.
Note: This is a national role requiring travel across England in line with business needs. The role offers hybrid working, with an expectation to attend the office two to three days per week from an assigned base location at one of the NHSBT main or blood centres. The specific base location will be agreed with the line manager following the final interview and confirmed at the verbal offer stage.
Responsibilities
- Leading on Quality matters and projects within NHSBT’s Transformation Programmes particularly where they impact on quality systems or include changes to applicable legislation.
- Communicating with experts and stakeholders, including presenting multistranded issues to multidisciplinary audiences in a simple and accessible way.
- Evaluating the risks associated with NHSBT programmes from a Quality perspective, including issues such as commercially sensitive information or personal identifiable data (PID), compliance with regulatory requirements and guidance for example Data Integrity.
- Managing spending for the department and acting as authorised signatory for national Quality budget.
- Regularly identifying, leading and undertaking research within the complex regulated environment within NHSBT. Using the output of this research to improve service provision within Quality and wider NHSBT.
- Leading on QMS development, training and implementation within NHSBT, reviewing the current state and taking the Quality Directorate forward.
You will be required to travel and spend time away from base, which will involve working irregular hours and overnight stays when required, with prior notice.
About You
Experience and Knowledge
- Highly developed specialist knowledge and experience of the complex regulatory and accreditation frameworks for Blood, Tissues and Cells, Medical Devices, Pathology Testing, registry services and medicinal products.
- Highly developed expert knowledge of one or more of the following: Good Manufacturing Practice, GAMP and other guidelines applicable to the manufacture of products or services supplied by NHSBT.
- Experience of influencing a wide range of stakeholders both internal and external.
- Expert knowledge of Quality Management Systems and the ability to lead change.
- An understanding of and a commitment to equality and diversity.
- Experience of working with information technology using Microsoft Office packages (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams and PowerPoint).
Qualifications And Training
- Educated to Masters degree or equivalent in a biological science or appropriate regulatory discipline, OR equivalent level of knowledge acquired through experience and further training/development.
- Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of a range of work procedures and practices, relevant to the manufacture of Blood Components; Medical Devices, Tissue and Cellular Products and the provision of Pathology Services.
- Demonstrates commitment to own continued professional development (CPD).
About Us
It takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHS Blood and Transplant, you’ll join a team of more than 6,000 people who are making a genuine difference to communities, families, friends, relatives and more across the UK. We play a unique and special role in the NHS by helping people do something extraordinary- donate blood, blood products, organs, tissues, or stem cells to save someone in need.
Our three core values are what set us apart. They guide and inspire everything we do.
By being caring, expertly meeting the needs of our patients and our people, and accepting nothing less than the best quality, we can do extraordinary work – and help our people to do something extraordinary in their career, too. Three small words, one big difference – Caring, Expert and Quality. Together we’ll save and improve more lives than ever.
You will join us on our journey to create an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with, and we positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.
What We Offer
- NHSBT promotes flexible working opportunities where the role will allow.
- 27 days annual leave (pro rata for part‑time) plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years’ service and to 33 days after 10 years.
- NHS pension scheme. The NHS Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme (not dependent on investment returns). Further details and outline of benefits can be found at: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pensions
- We’ve fostered a culture of continuous learning where colleagues are well‑led, engaged, and encouraged to grow. We support you in reaching your full potential, both in your current role and future career. Our Thrive program embodies our commitment to learning and development, offering a wide range of activities to support your personal and professional growth. It’s open to everyone at NHSBT, ensuring you have the resources to succeed and shine in your role.
Recruitment Profile
To learn more, please see our recruitment profile, which provides a summary of the job description and person specification. This can be accessed via the link below, or by clicking ‘Apply’ if you are viewing this advert on another site.
Vacancy Closure
This vacancy may close sooner than the advertised deadline if we receive a high volume of applications, so we recommend applying early. This vacancy will close at 23:59 on 29th March 2026
Interview Dates
Interviews are anticipated to be held on 14/15th April 2026 – subject to confirmation.
Contact
Name: Steve VardyJob Title: Lead Quality SpecialistContact Details: Stephen.Vardy@nhsbt.nhs.uk
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