Job Overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for the detailed job description of the role.

This post is only open to internal applicants

Main duties of the job

This is an exciting opportunity to join us as our Head of Education. As a teaching hospital, we are instrumental in the education and training of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals. This is a prominent and significant senior role to lead our vision for education, to grow, attract and retain our people, by providing high-quality access to learning to deliver quality care.

Main duties of the job

Working with the Director of Education, Training and Workforce, you will play a key role in continuing the work to deliver elements of our People Strategy. The Head of education will work closely with senior colleagues, Universities/HEIs, commercial partners, professional and regulatory bodies and other senior stakeholders to support the delivery of strategic and operational education projects.

With the Head of Workforce, you will develop and evolve the Trust workforce and education plans, to attract, grow and maintain a workforce that is fit for practice and reflects key national objectives for the delivery of healthcare.

Working for our organisation

University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing 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.

At UHS we’re committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We’re committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

We are looking for a professional with a good grounding and extensive prior experience in NHS Education leadership, who can provide professional and strategic leadership and expertise on clinical and non-clinical education and development within the trust. The postholder will demonstrate and role model professional leadership qualities to influence, negotiate and engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders. The role requires the ability to operate at an organisational level and to participate in and influence large-scale transformational change.

To provide strategic leadership and expertise on clinical and non-clinical education and development within the Trust to ensure a workforce that is fit for practice.

To proactively engage with senior leaders across the Trust to identify education needs and make recommendations on education and development interventions to meet those needs.

Work closely with the Head of Workforce to develop the Trust workforce and education plan.

To develop and maintain strategic relationships with education providers, including HEIs, FE colleges and local communities, to support education and development to meet current and future workforce requirements.

To provide leadership and management of Skills for Practice leads and team.

To deputise for the Director of Education and Workforce at meetings and forums locally, regionally and nationally as required.

Person specification

Qualifications, Knowledge And Experience

Essential criteria

Masters level qualification in education or equivalent qualification or experience
Senior leader in education roles
Planning and implementation of complex education programmes or projects.
In depth working knowledge and understanding of national health education and workforce strategy and plans.
Evidence of working with external partners to organise education requirements for significant numbers of staff.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Able to travel locally and nationally to meetings and events

Desirable criteria

Senior leadership programme/qualification
Knowledge and experience of Government education and skills strategies and plans
Knowledge and experience or working on regional and/or national education groups or projects
NHS senior education leadership and management experience

University Hospital Southampton NHS FT

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