About this role
Job summary
The role of Deputy Head of School is to work with and support the Head of School and NHS England East Midlands Postgraduate Dean in leading the delivery of a wide range of functions, aligned to the NHS England mandate.
The Deputy Head of School is professionally and managerially accountable to the Head of School.
The Deputy Head of School support the Head of School to focus upon improvement of learner supervision, assessment and experience, engagement of faculty and ensuring effective educational outcomes, both now and in the future. The role is evolving and will also focus on whole workforce transformation and developing multi-professional links mas well as innovative ways of curriculum delivery and workforce well-being strategies.
Main duties of the job
To support the Heads of School, the Deputy Head of School work across the spectrum of health and where relevant, social care, within the context of a team, so that the provision of education reflects changing service models. This will deliver an integrated workforce comprising individuals from a spectrum of professional and other backgrounds.
The Deputy Head of School will be expected to support the Head of School in meeting the challenges of leading the School and Education Providers to deliver the changing curricular in an evolving service landscape.
The Deputy Head of School will be required to lead on projects as agreed with the Head of School.
About us
NHS England has a wide range of statutory functions, responsibilities and regulatory powers. These are focused on supporting the wider NHS to deliver high quality care, as well as doing those things that are best done once for the whole NHS.
Our staff bring expertise across clinical, operational, commissioning, technology, data science, cyber security, software engineering, education, and commercial specialisms -- enabling us to design and deliver high-quality NHS services.
In March 2025, the Government announced that NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care will increasingly merge functions, ultimately leading to NHS England being fully integrated into the department.
If you currently work within the NHS and if successful at interview, we will initiate an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR).This retrieves key data from your current or previous NHS employer to support onboarding, including competency status, Continuous Service Dates (CSD), and annual leave entitlement. You may opt out at any stage of the process.
Colleagues with a contractual office base are expected to spend, on average, at least 40% of their time working in our offices.
Staff recruited from outside the NHS will usually be appointed at the bottom of the pay band.
Job description Job responsibilities
You can find further details about the role,including key responsibilities and accountabilities, alongside theorganisational structureand person specificationin the attached Job Descriptionand other supporting documents.
Secondments
Applicants from within the NHS willbe offered on a secondment basis only, agreementshouldbeobtainedfromtheiremployerpriortosubmittingtheapplication.
To assist the Head of School in overseeing School programme management and advise the Head of School on the following matters:
Specialty-specific matters and trainee/trainer concerns Recruitment to training posts and programmes To use our educational resources to support learners within programmes to achieve their full potential Postgraduate programme management, including assessments, progression, rotations (to ensure Code of Practice compliance), support and remediation, OOP management, trainee management, careers support, less than full-time training, interdeanery transfer, academic training and other related work-streams To support relevant School meetings within the structure, deputising for the Head of School where appropriate.
Person Specification
Behaviours and Values Essential
oAbility to make decisions autonomously when required on difficult issues. oAn academic interest in training and education across primary and secondary care.
Desirable
oA transformation leadership style oManagement of transformation and change oSensitivity, tolerance and acceptance of criticism oPerform all duties in a manner that supports and promotes NHS England commitment to equal opportunities oConduct all duties in a manner that safeguards the health and safety of yourself and your colleagues, trainees and staff. Note the special responsibility as a manager for assessing and minimising risks to staff. oA continuing quest for personal and professional development
Skills and Abilities Essential
oDemonstrable leadership skills and an ability to influence and motivate others. oPolitically astute with an ability to sensitively manage complexity and uncertainty.
Desirable
oA strong sense of vision and ability to innovate. oAbility to problem solve and maintain objectivity. oStrong interpersonal, communication, written and presentation skills. oExcellent organisational and time management skills. oCommitted to own personal development and an ability to support others to develop and progress.
Experience and Knowledge Essential
oCurrent clinical commitment in the School/specialty. oConsiderable experience of working with learners or doctors in training in an educational context. oExperience of clinical and educational leadership and innovation, including managing a multi-professional team. oDemonstrable track record of delivery in service and education. oUnderstanding of developments involving the relevant Colleges/Faculties, professional bodies, related NHS organisations and regulatory bodies.
Desirable
oUnderstanding of the workforce transformation agenda. oTrained and experienced in recruitment, selection and Equality and Diversity in the last 3 years. oActive involvement in, and up to date with, appraisal processes. oKnowledge of the NHS, its structures and processes, including an understanding of healthcare/multi-professional workforce matters.
Qualifications and Training Essential
oConsiderable and current experience at Consultant level in a relevant speciality. oPrimary clinical healthcare qualification. oMembership/Fellowship of a College, Faculty, professional association and/or regulatory body.
Desirable
oAttendance at courses aimed to support educational development (example: educator courses, Train the trainer, etc).
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name NHS England
Address Stephenson Street
23 Stephenson Street
Birmingham
B2 4BJ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/working-for/ (Opens in a new tab)