Job Overview
PLEASE NOTE THIS AN INTERNAL ROLE OPEN TO EMPLOYEES OF THE ROYAL UNITED HOSPITAL, GREAT WESTERN HOSPITAL AND SALISBURY HOSPITAL ONLY.
We’re looking for an inspiring and forward‑thinking leader to shape the future of education and training across the BSW Hospitals Group bringing together Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (GWH), Royal United Hospitals Bath (RUH), and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust (SFT).
As Head of Education & Training, you will set the strategic direction for how we develop, train and empower our people across all three organisations. This is a unique opportunity to influence education at scale, ensuring our workforce has the skills, capability and confidence to deliver exceptional care now and for years to come.
You’ll champion alignment with national priorities, local workforce needs and the ambitions of the NHS Long Term Plan, ensuring both clinical and non‑clinical staff have access to high‑quality learning, development and career progression.
Main duties of the job
The Head of Education & Training will lead the development of a unified, forward‑thinking approach to education across the BSW Hospitals Group. Working closely with senior leaders, the postholder will shape and deliver a shared vision for how staff are trained, supported and developed, ensuring that education provision is aligned to workforce needs and organisational priorities.
A key part of the role will be transforming how education is delivered across the three organisations, embedding consistent systems, frameworks and standards that support a cohesive and agile workforce. The postholder will ensure that training investment is targeted effectively, maximising value and impact by aligning programmes with the NHS workforce strategy and operational demands.
They will also foster strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to enhance the quality, reach and innovation of educational provision. The role will require travel between the three Care Organisations, with the majority of time spent at the base location. The post-holder will be expected to work at one of the other two sites one day per week.
Working for our organisation
We are proud to be part of BSW Hospitals Group - a formal partnership between the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust. With a combined workforce of over 17, 600 colleagues, and budget of 1.6 billion the Group is united by a common purpose to deliver the best possible care to over 1 million people.
We are creating a health and care system that works with the people we care for, reducing the differences people currently face in access, experience and outcomes, improving the experience of our colleagues and tackling shared challenges like sustainability and finances. Every improvement we make across our Group will be guided by what creates the greatest benefit for our colleagues, our patients, our communities and our partners.
By working together, we make a real difference for our patients, each other, and our community. Every role matters in delivering the exceptional, person‑centred care we’re proud of.
We’re committed to a compassionate, inclusive culture where kindness is championed, differences are valued, and diversity makes us stronger.
We want to support you to thrive, taking your career to its full potential. We prioritise staff wellbeing – and yes, we even have a pool!
Discover what it’s like to live and work in Bath, explore our RUH staff benefits, and learn how we’re building healthcare for the future through the Dyson Cancer Centre and our commitment to research.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
he Head of Education will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for all Education and Training across BSW Hospitals Group, encompassing Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (GWH), Royal United Hospitals Bath (RUH), and Salisbury (SFT) NHS Foundation Trust.
Person specification
Knowledge, Training and Experience
Essential criteria
- Educated to master's level or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in specialist area.
- Professional Accreditation: Chartered membership of CIPD, CMI or another relevant professional body (or equivalent).
- Evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development within a clinical or specialist field
- Good level of understanding of current healthcare policy and its implications on workforce development and training
- Experience of working across teams and local organisations with stakeholders to develop collaborative programmes for current and future staff as a part of the anchor organisation
Please note - Due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered unless an alternative right to work solution can be provided. Candidates requiring sponsorship (or will need sponsorship at the end of a current visa e.g. those with graduate visa's) should review the eligibility criteria on the gov.uk website before applying: Prove your right to work to an employer: Overview - GOV.UK
Applicant requirements
This post will require a submission for Disclosure to be made to check for any unspent criminal convictions.
Documents to download
- Head of Education & Training job description (PDF, 448.4KB)
- Join the RUH (PDF, 1.3MB)
Further details / informal visits contact
Name Helen Back Job title Associate Director of Learning and Culture Email address helenback@nhs.net
