Job summary
Associate Director of Nursing, Education & Research

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an inspiring and ambitious nursing leader to join our organisation as Associate Director of Nursing, Education & Research. This pivotal role will provide strategic leadership for nursing education, workforce development, clinical research, and professional practice, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based patient care.

You will work collaboratively with clinical teams, academic partners, and senior leaders to drive innovation, enhance learning opportunities, and embed a culture of continuous improvement and research excellence across nursing services.

If you are a visionary leader with a passion for developing people, advancing nursing practice, and improving patient outcomes, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now and help shape the future of nursing, education, and research.

Interviews are proposed for 1st December 2026.

Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.

Main duties of the job
The post holder will lead and develop the non-medical education and research portfolio

• Assurance of education governance in line with professional body and contractual obligations i.e. NMC, HCPC, NHS education contract and HEIs practice education agreements or apprenticeship requirements
• Liaise with all education providers to ensure student experience is enhanced and UHCW's reputation recognised.
• Act as the professional nursing lead for education and practice development to ensure that the highest possible quality of patient care is practiced in all wards and departments.
• Ensure that policy and strategy is developed for education and non-medical research
• Review with colleagues the provision of nursing and midwifery education across the Trust looking for areas to provide multidisciplinary team education and provide a streamlined collaboration.
• Create opportunities to promote UHCW as world class for non-medical education and research aligned to the Centre for Care excellence

About us
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.

We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.

Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence designated organisation - please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)

By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.

Details
Date posted: 27 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8c
Salary: £79,504 to £91,609 a year pro rata per annum
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 18 months
Working pattern: Part-time, Job share
Reference number: 218-NM-B8C-8391977

Job responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of under-graduate and post-graduate non medical education programmes for the Trust
• Lead on curriculum development for the Trust in partnership with HEI providers
• Lead the Practice Educators and Practice Development Team
• Contribute to workforce planning to ensure that training/student placement numbers adequately reflect organisational requirements.
• Lead and maintain excellent standards in non-medical education
• Ensure processes are in place to provide assurance in relation to educational provision, e.g. NMC, HCPC, NHSE
• Support and contribute to the development of systems and processes to facilitate strategic workforce planning and development.
• Work collaboratively with system partners to maximise opportunities for workforce and education development, including new roles, e.g. Advanced Clinical Practitioners, Nursing Associates
• Oversee implementation of appropriate frameworks/requirements for education for enhanced, specialist, advanced and consultant roles (NHSE faculty and core capabilities frameworks)
• Oversee non-medical prescribing from funding allocation and training to approval to practice
• Co-ordinate training plans based on workforce requirements in order to oversee and rationalise the use of workforce development and CPD funds
• Develop relationships with international education providers to facilitate opportunities for shared learning and collaborative working
• Monitor funding for all education programmes
• Co-ordinate internal and external reports as required
• Lead UHCW contribution to and shaping of the Centre for Care Excellence and support the implementation of the iCAhRE model for non-medical research.
• Work collaboratively with research and development and HEIs to further the non-medical research within UHCW NHS Trust.
• Work with the Professor of Nursing to plan, implement and embed strategic initiatives and programmes to further non-medical research across the organisation.
• Provide professional advice and support professional groups, Speciality Teams and agencies within and outside the organisation.
• Analyse and interpret highly complex data to inform the strategic direction of nursing and midwifery services and assist in the determination of policy and professional practice/ development
• Provide clinical professional support to GDNAs to support service development within named clinical groups (role developments and education).
• Utilise information systems to produce accurate and timely data and reports.
• Ensure patient and public involvement is integrated into education and research.
• Deputise for the Deputy Chief Nursing Officer when required.
• Participate in the senior manager on-call rota after 6 months (where relevant).
• Lead and contribute to specific nursing related objectives to secure achievement of key performance indicators and targets as agreed with Chief Nursing Officer and Deputy Chief Nursing Officer.
• Provide oversight of relevant guidance and policy documents under the CNO portfolio.
• Represent the Trust in local, regional, national and international nursing related activities.
• Maintain high degree of visibility within the organisation.
• Management responsibility for the Practice development team.
• Alignment of activities, priorities and evidence to support UHCWs pathway to excellence ambition
• Investigate and action disciplinary matters in accordance with Trust Policy and Procedures, with authority to dismiss when appropriate.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential:

• 1st level Registered Nursing qualification
• Current NMC registration
• Relevant MSc/MA or evidence of Masters level study
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development

Desirable:

• PhD
• PGCE

Experience
Essential:

• Extensive senior nursing / midwifery experience
• Proven record of leading and effectively managing change across organisations
• Evidence of leadership development

Desirable:

• Project management experience
• Experience in dedicated education or research post

Knowledge & Skills
Essential:

• Expert knowledge of the post's area of responsibility
• Sound knowledge of NHS agenda
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of current issues in nursing & midwifery
• Well-developed leadership skills
• Persuasive with strong influencing skills and the ability to manage conflict
• Highly developed problem-solving, critical appraisal and decision-making skills
• Highly developed skills in interpretation of complex data including report writing skills
• Patient focused
• Highly developed motivational skills and strong commitment to staff involvement and empowerment
• Ability to work within and understand the context in which the Trust operates
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationship internally and externally
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritise and meet deadlines
• Ability to manage the translation of strategic intent to operational reality
• Basic IT skills

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours
Essential:

• Evidence of demonstrating the Trust Values (Compassion, Openness, Pride, Partnership, Improve, Learn and Respect) and the associated Values in Action behaviours in the workplace. For posts with managerial responsibility only
• Evidence of promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, and ensuring fair and equitable practices throughout your work experience. Evidence of promoting a culture which helps individuals live behaviours aligned to our Trust Values (Compassion, Openness, Pride, Partnership, Improve, Learn and Respect)

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).

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: University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
Address: UHCW NHS Trust, Clifford Bridge Road, Coventry, CV2 2DX, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.jobsatuhcw.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Deputy Chief Nursing Officer, Vicky Williams, Vicky.Williams@uhcw.nhs.uk, 07825937463

The Trust is committed to equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy.