About this role
Job summary
Shape the future of education in one of the South West's largest and most ambitious NHS Trusts
University Hospitals Plymouth is seeking an exceptional Director of Education to shape the future of education,trainingand workforce development across one of the South West's largest teaching Trusts.
This is a senior,system-facingleadershiprolewith responsibility for a £40m+ education portfolio, bringing together apprenticeships, undergraduate and postgraduate education, professionaldevelopmentand commissioned programmes into a single, integrated Education Directorate.
We are looking for a credible, confident andvalues-drivenleader who sees education as a strategic enabler of quality,safetyand workforce sustainability. You will bringsenior-levelexperience of leading large,multi-professionaleducation or workforce portfolios, strong strategic judgement, and the presence tooperateas a trusted adviser at executive and system level.
This role offers the opportunity to:
Set and deliver aTrust-wideEducation Strategy aligned to clinical and workforce priorities
Build coherent education pathways that enable people to develop, progress and thrive
Strengthen UHP's reputation as a leading education and training provider regionally and nationally
If you are excited by shaping the future rather thanmaintainingthe status quo, this is a role with real scale,influenceand legacy.
Main duties of the job
Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS at Risk staff throughout Devon who is able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.
Provides clear strategic direction for education and associated commercial activity, positioning education as a core enabler of workforce sustainability, service quality and financial resilience across the Trust and wider system.
Leads commercial activity in a way that is ethical, transparent and values-driven, balancing financial disciplines with staff wellbeing, inclusion and learner experience, and maintaining public trust in a regulated NHS education environment.
Uses financial data, market insight and system intelligence to inform strategic decisions, prioritise investment, manage risk and shape a sustainable education and training portfolio.
Builds and sustains productive relationships with universities, NHS organisations, system partners and commercial organisations to extend reach, share risk and maximise education opportunities for the Trust and Integrated Care System.
Creates a high-performing education and leadership culture, developing capability, accountability and succession within teams, and ensuring staff are supported to innovate and deliver consistently high-quality outcomes.
Please see ourBrochure and Job Description with further details to the role below.
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job description Job responsibilities
This is a highly significant director-level portfolio, with responsibility for a Trust-wide education economy of circa £40m per annum, including clinical and non-clinical education funding, apprenticeships, clinical placement income, commissioned programmes and commercial activity. The post holder will lead the commercial growth of the education and training portfolio, ensuring robust governance, quality assurance, and financial sustainability.
As a senior director within the Trust, the post holder will work autonomously and provide expert advice to the Chief Medical Officer and Executive Team on education, workforce development and education-related commercial strategy, translating strategic intent into operational delivery and measurable impact.
Please see separate JD and person spec for more details.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience Essential
oDemonstrable senior leadership experience in a large, complex organisation, with a successful track record of delivering education, workforce and commercial outcomes. oExtensive demonstrable experience of commercial development, income generation, or business growth. oDemonstrable experience of working with higher education institutions and professional regulators. oProven track record of managing large budgets and delivering financial targets. oStrong strategic thinking and analytical capability. oExcellent negotiation and influencing skills. oFinancial acumen and commercial awareness. oAbility to build high level partnerships and networks. oExceptional communication and leadership skills. oDemonstrable experience of Board reporting and assurance. oDemonstrable experience influencing at senior management or Board-facing level. oDemonstrable experience of leading organisational change.
Desirable
oDemonstrable experience within the large clinical setting or public sector education environment. oDeep understanding of education markets and workforce development. oDemonstrable experience of international education partnerships.
Qualifications Essential
oMaster's degree or equivalent demonstrable experience in a relevant field (e.g., healthcare management, education, business administration). oProven evidence of ongoing professional development relevant to education, workforce or service leadership. oFormal training in governance, risk management, or corporate accountability oQualification or accredited training relevant to education, workforce development, or organisational leadership oProven evidence of senior leadership development. oProven evidence of significant financial literacy
Desirable
oDoctoral qualification or executive leadership programme. oProfessional qualification in education, management, or finance.
Apptitude and Abilities Essential
oCredible and inclusive leader, able to bring people with them through change oDemonstrates sound judgement and effective risk management oAble to balance organisational priorities with values-based leadership oCommitted to developing others and building sustainable capability oHigh integrity and professionalism. oResilient and able to operate in complex environments. oCommitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Disposition, Attitiude and Motivation Essential
oEntrepreneurial outlook with appetite for innovation, calculated risk-taking, and market development oStrong public service ethos combined with commercial pragmatism oPassion for developing people, talent, and future leaders oInterest in national policy, education reform, and global health workforce trends oDemonstrates curiosity, continuous learning, and reflective leadership practice
Other Factors Essential
oAbility to operate across organisational and system boundaries. oResilience and comfortable operating in complex environments. oCommitment to NHS values and education-led workforce improvement.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Address University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Derriford Road
Plymouth
PL6 8DH
Employer's website https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)