Job Advert
Chief Midwife (Ref: 244972)
£90,808 - £97,338 (Band 8C)
Full-time (36 hours per week)
Fixed term contract/secondment for 12 months
Edinburgh or Glasgow – hybrid working will apply for the foreseeable future
Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) is Scotland’s national improvement agency, aiming to secure lasting, positive and sustainable change across the health and care system. We provide independent scrutiny and assurance of the quality and safety of care, measure outcomes, and reduce inequalities. HIS collaborates with NHS boards and national organisations to deliver safe, effective care and make best use of resources. Our work includes enabling informed choices, supporting improvement, providing evidence, and assuring quality to give confidence in Scotland’s NHS services.
The Chief Midwife is the most senior midwifery professional in HIS. It is a highly visible national role requiring credibility, resilience, expert judgement, and the ability to influence at Executive and Government levels. The postholder will:
- Provide strategic, professional leadership for all midwives employed across HIS.
- Provide authoritative midwifery expertise to HIS programmes, including inspections, reviews, complaints, improvement, public protection, governance, and national learning systems.
- Deputise for the Associate Director of Nursing and Midwifery — and at times the Director of Nursing and Integrated Care — making high-level autonomous decisions.
- Offer senior advice to Scottish Government, NHS Boards, HSCPs, Royal Colleges and regulators.
- Hold key responsibilities within perinatal and maternity QMS, ensuring safe and proportionate application of standards and governance.
- Act as a visible, credible role model for midwifery practice nationally.
This role requires excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills, particularly in sensitive, contentious or politically complex situations. The post sits within the Nursing & Integrated Care Directorate, which contributes expertise across all HIS Directorates using a Quality Management Approach, and reports to the Associate Director Nursing and Midwifery.
For queries about this role, please contact Mhairi Hastings, Associate Director Nursing and Midwifery, Healthcare Improvement Scotland at mhairi.hastings2@nhs.scot.
Closing date: Tuesday 02 June 2026 at midnight
It is anticipated that interviews will be held on Thursday 25 June 2026