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.

Main duties of the job
A speciality Training Programme Director (TPD) is a member of the Speciality Training Committee (STC) who 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 Physicians. The demands on TPDs are likely to vary at times and the guidance below should be interpreted flexibly.

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.

We cannot offer visa sponsorship for any vacancies.

Details
Date posted: 22 September 2026
Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade: Consultant
Salary: Depending on experience
In line with TPD sessional payments
Contract: Secondment
Duration: 5 months
Working pattern: Part-time, Job share, Flexible working
Reference number: 990-EOE-EC4489-E
Job locations: Victoria House, East Capital Park, Fulbourn, Cambridge, CB21 5XB, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Education and Training Quality Improvement and Performance

• To emphasise the importance and promote the development of a quality learning environment for all learners.
• To support Postgraduate Deans in meeting all NHSE statutory requirements.

Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality Improvement

• Assist in the development of quality processes which are complementary across the healthcare workforce.
• To support the use of clinical skills training and simulation (where appropriate/applicable), stressing the importance of teamwork and human factors.

School Programme Management
To oversee the Specialtys Regional Training Programme and advise Postgraduate Deans and Heads of School on the following matters:

• Specialty-specific matters and trainee/trainer concerns;
• Recruitment to training posts and programmes;
• Postgraduate programme management, including assessments, progression, rotations, support and remediation, OOP management, trainee management, careers support, less than full-time training, inter-deanery transfer, academic training and other related work-streams.
• To provide reports to the Specialty Training Committee and School Board
• To complete the annual school development plan

Educational and Workforce Development

• To advise and support the Postgraduate Dean in educational and workforce development elements, including professional development of the educational faculty
• To support compliance with requirements particularly with regard to the supervision and support for trainees and learners.
• To identify learning needs and support provision of educational appraisal, educator development and resource for faculty, trainees and learners.
• To create and promote shared learning opportunities to increase effective inter-professional working across the School.

Intelligence Support/ provision

• To ensure local intelligence processes inform quality management processes.
• To engage with information systems (trainee database, post establishments).

Strategic Workforce Development and Commissioning

• To contribute to workforce planning, ensuring clinical engagement with local and national workforce planning processes.
• To develop educational programmes where needed to support achievement of curriculum competencies, engaging with commissioning processes as required.
• To identify and support the implementation of alternative workforce solutions within the School.
• To advise the Postgraduate Dean on commissioning and decommissioning activities.

Finance

• To engage with financial business planning processes and associated School budgets as needed.
• To ensure compliance with procurement requirements.

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
Skills and Abilities
Essential

• Demonstrable leadership skills and an ability to influence and motivate others
• A strong sense of vision and ability to innovate
• Politically astute with an ability to sensitively manage complexity and uncertainty
• Ability to problem solve and maintain objectivity
• Excellent communication, counselling and liaison skills - a readiness to listen and empathise
• Strong interpersonal, communication, written and presentation skills
• Ability to quickly establish personal and professional credibility with colleagues and other key stakeholders
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Committed to own personal development and an ability to support others to develop and progress

Desirable

• Ability to rapidly establish academic credibility
• Ability to attend relevant national and local College and NHSE EoE meetings

Experience and Knowledge
Essential

• 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
• Demonstrable track record of delivery in service and education
• Understanding of developments involving the relevant Royal Colleges/Faculties, professional bodies, related NHS organisations and regulatory bodies
• Understanding of the workforce transformation agenda
• Trained in Equality and Diversity in the last 3 years
• Have up to date knowledge of the specialty's curriculum, portfolio, examinations and other assessment methods.
• Active involvement in, and up to date with, own appraisal processes
• Knowledge of the NHS, its structures and processes, including an understanding of healthcare/multi-professional workforce matters
• Awareness of the issues around dealing with trainees who are failing to progress or otherwise require additional support

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
• Current or recent past member of the relevant STC

Qualifications and Training
Essential

• Primary clinical healthcare qualification
• Membership/Fellowship of a Royal College, Faculty, professional association and/or regulatory body
• Attendance at courses aimed to support educational development (example: educator courses, Train the Trainer, etc.)

Desirable

• Educational qualification such as a Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma or Masters in Medical Education.

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: Victoria House, East Capital Park, Fulbourn, Cambridge, CB21 5XB, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/working-for/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Head of School, Paediatrics, Shazia Hoodbhoy, s.hoodbhoy@nhs.net

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