Deputy Director, Professional Practice – Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC)

The Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) is seeking to appoint an exceptional Deputy Director, Professional Practice to a senior leadership role with national reach and significant influence across the UK health and care system.

This is a pivotal role within the Professional Practice Directorate, providing senior professional leadership, expert regulatory insight and strategic accountability across a broad and complex portfolio. Reporting to the Executive Director, Professional Practice, the postholder will play a central role in shaping how the NMC sets, assures and upholds professional standards for nursing, midwifery and nursing associate practice.

The Deputy Director will lead and oversee key functions including Education Quality Assurance, safeguarding, casework support, employer link and outreach, and wider regulatory quality frameworks. Working closely with senior leaders internally and across the four UK nations, the role will ensure proportionate, person-centred and risk-informed approaches to regulation that support public protection while engaging constructively with professionals, employers and system partners.

As a core member of the Directorate Senior Leadership Team, the postholder will provide visible, values-led leadership, drive performance and continuous improvement, and regularly deputise for the Executive Director. The role requires strong political awareness, the ability to translate policy into practice, and confidence operating in complex, high-profile and sensitive environments.

We are seeking a highly credible senior leader with substantial experience in large-scale, complex organisations, ideally within health, social care, education or regulatory settings. You will bring deep expertise in professional regulation, education quality assurance and safeguarding, alongside a proven track record of leading change, building high-performing teams and influencing senior stakeholders with clarity, integrity and impact.

The NMC is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We particularly encourage applications from groups under-represented in senior leadership roles.

For an informal and confidential discussion, please contact our executive search partners at Hunter Healthcare.

Finn McNulty
Associate Partner, Executive Search
E: fmcnulty@hunter-healthcare.com
T: 07966 006091

Job Description