Job Summary
The role of Training Programme Director is to work with and support the Postgraduate Dean in leading the delivery of a wide range of functions within their specialty, aligned to the NHS England mandate.

Within the School of Surgery, the Core Surgical Training Education Lead is one of our Surgical Training Support TPDs. The Surgical Training Support TPDs are members of the Speciality Training Committee (STC) which is managerially responsible to the Postgraduate Dean for the delivery of training in that speciality according to the standards set by the GMC and the Royal College of Surgeons. It is expected that the surgical training support TPDs will assist TPDs in their parent specialties, including participating in core and higher surgical training ARCPs and national selection processes. The demands on TPDs are likely to vary at times and the guidance should be interpreted flexibly.

Main Duties of the Job
The Core Surgical Training Education Lead is responsible for the delivery and development of the Core Surgical Training teaching programme liaising with the Core Surgery TPDs as well as the Head of School, Faculty development and Robotic Surgery Training Support TPDs. The Education Lead will focus on the continuous development and delivery of high quality courses to support the key core surgery outcomes, success in the MRCS examination and successful career progression (usually to surgical ST3 posts). The education lead will coordinate and facilitate the core surgery induction programme in August and will ensure appropriate induction is provided to trainees joining at differing timepoints. The Core Surgical Training Education Lead will liaise with E-Star and core surgery training representatives to identify areas of the curriculum for which additional teaching support would be valuable.

About NHS England
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.

Job Details
Date posted: 07 July 2026
Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade: Consultant
Salary: Depending on experience. In line with TPD sessional payments.
Contract: Secondment
Duration: 3 years
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 990-EOE-EC3556-E
Job locations: Victoria House, East Capital Park, Fulbourn, Cambridge, CB21 5XB, United Kingdom

Job Responsibilities
You can find further details about the role, including key responsibilities and accountabilities, alongside the organisational structure and person specification in the attached Job Description and other supporting documents.

Secondments
Applicants from within the NHS will be offered on a secondment basis only, agreement should be obtained from their employer prior to submitting the application.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Membership/Fellowship of a College, Faculty, professional association and/or regulatory body
• Attendance at courses aimed to support educational development
• Primary clinical healthcare qualification

Desirable

• Educational qualification such as postgraduate certificate diploma or masters in medical education

Experience
Essential

• Considerable experience of working with learners or doctors in training in an educational context
• Experience of clinical and educational leadership and innovation, including managing a multi-professional team
• Understanding of developments involving the relevant Colleges/Faculties, professional bodies related NHS organisations and regulatory bodies

Desirable

• Previous or current appointment as a leader in healthcare education
• Awareness of funding streams for healthcare education
• Understanding of current health, social care and education policy

Skills
Essential

• Demonstrable leadership skills and an ability to influence and motivate others
• Ability to quickly establish personal and professional credibility with colleagues and other key Stakeholders
• Committed to own personal development and an ability to support others to develop and progress

Desirable

• Ability to rapidly establish academic credibility

Behaviours and Values
Essential

• To contribute to the vision of the local NHS and to enhance patient care by providing leadership and direction with respect to the quality of education and training

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

NHS England is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.