Job vacancy: Training Programme Director, NHS England, Birmingham

Job summary

Main area

Healthcare Science

Grade

NHS AfC: Band 8c

Contract

Fixed term: 6 months (until 31st March 2027. Secondment only for current NHS employees)

Hours

Full time
Part time
Job share
Flexible working

37.5 hours per week

Job ref

990-EOE-EC5117-EC5118-E

Employer: NHS England
Employer type: NHS
Site: Birmingham
Town: Birmingham
Salary: £79,504 - £91,609 per annum
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 22/09/2026 23:59
Interview date: 24/09/2026

Training Programme Director

NHS AfC: Band 8c

Our Organisation

We share the core values set out in the NHS Constitution, which all colleagues are expected to demonstrate.

We support you to work in a way that is best for the NHS, our patients and you and your colleagues. Talk to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement, whether that’s a job share, part time, hybrid working or another flexible pattern.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will be a member of the National School for Healthcare Science (NSHCS) and will work closely with specialist scientific and non-scientific staff in the school, academic education providers and other stakeholders such as professional bodies, national education commissioners and providers including senior scientists in the ongoing development of and support for trainees, workplace-based training officers, and the higher education (HEI) partners.

The post holder will be a highly visible, national lead for HCS programmes and to ensure the programmes provide excellent quality and content to deliver the scientific, clinical, and managerial and leadership competencies that are relevant to the future requirements of healthcare science services.

This job description and person specification is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The post holder will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by their line manager.

See Job Description and Person Specification for full details. This includes:

· Work closely with the Head of School, to ensure that the healthcare science training programmes are implemented in an effective and efficient manner that responds to the policy objective of NHSE and the Department of Health. This will include supporting the Head of School across the Healthcare Science governance framework, deputising when necessary and representing NHSE at meetings on healthcare science with key delivery partners and others.

· Understand the future developments coming on the horizon in healthcare science and be able to judge their impact on patient care in the NHS and be able to clearly communicate their likely impact on clinical services following the developments and continuation of HCS educational programmes.

· Highlight exceptions and risks ensuring mitigating action can be taken to keep the training programmes on track. This will include providing risk updates/reports for the Head of School.

· Support development and champion new transformational initiatives or projects across NHSE.

· Actively role models ethical behaviours and establishes a culture of team work and cooperation. Is a mindful and decisive thinker who makes insightful and effective decisions based on known information and good business awareness.

· Make recommendations for changes which may have a significant impact on the make-up of the NHS workforce or the way that education and training is commissioned and delivered to meet the healthcare science requirements of the future.

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

Essential Qualifications

Essential criteria

Honours Degree in Appropriate Science
Post Graduate Qualification or equivalent
Doctoral Level qualification in specialised scientific field or equivalent academic experience
Registration as a Clinical Scientist with HCPC
Education or teaching qualification

Desirable criteria

Leadership or Management qualification
Experienced in survey design and analysis to inform programme deliverables.

Experience

Essential criteria

Experienced in strategy development in new policy areas and taking it through to implementation
Significant experience of working on national education and training programmes or other high-level national implementation programmes in other areas.
Demonstrable experience in decision making in complex environments across a range of national initiatives and programmes.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential criteria

Ability to interpret national policy and offer subject matter expertise to influence direction and implementation, with the confidence to debate this on a national stage.
Ability to problem solve and respond to sudden unexpected demands
Will consider the most effective way to promote equality of opportunity and good working relationships in employment and service delivery and can take actions which support and promote this agenda.

Our commitments to you

We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better patient outcomes.

We strive to ensure our people feel trusted, valued and empowered. When you join us, we want you to grow and excel, and we offer many opportunities for you to do that.

We welcome your talent and enthusiasm irrespective of age, disability, neuro-divergence, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances.

We ensure all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process. This includes considering reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability and/or who are neuro-divergent.

We welcome applications from disabled candidates. If you meet all the essential criteria, you will be guaranteed an interview.

Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the role. While we appreciate you may have had some support with your application (for example, using AI technology or guidance from a trusted individual), it’s important all the information you provide in it reflects your own knowledge, skills and experience and we trust that you apply on that basis.

If you’re applying for this role on a secondment basis, please get agreement from your current line manager before you apply.

We don’t accept applications via recruitment agencies, and we cannot offer visa sponsorship for any vacancies.

To comply with the HM Government Functional Standard GovS 007, and specifically the Personnel Security Standards 2024, individuals employed or contracted by NHS England may be required to undergo a Baseline Personnel Security Standards check, dependent on the role.

NHS Business Services Authority is responsible for processing your application; our privacy can be accessed directly on the application page when you select to apply.

If you are appointed to a post, your information will also be transferred into the NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

If you have a query about your application, please contact the recruitment team: [email protected] or 0300 330 1369.

NHS England