Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and forward thinking nursing leader to join us as Associate Director of Nursing and Education. This pivotal role provides strategic oversight and professional leadership for nursing education, research, and workforce development across the Trust.
This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of nursing education and workforce transformation, champion professional excellence, and make a lasting impact on the development of our people and the quality of care we provide.
Career Progression Pathways and Development Opportunities:
We are committed to getting the very best out of our staff and support staff in their career aspirations. We have career pathways available, where you will be able to develop your skills and build on your experience to progress into other roles across different specialties. For this role, we offer career pathways within senior nursing leadership and ongoing training and development to support you in your role.
Main duties of the job
You will play a central role in developing a confident, skilled, and motivated nursing workforce that embodies our values and delivers outstanding, person-centred care. With responsibility for the Nursing Development Team (NDT), you will provide strategic direction for education, training, and professional development, creating clear career pathways and embedding a culture of learning, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Working collaboratively with NHS England, ICB/ICS, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), the RCN, NMC, and other system partners, you will influence policy, strengthen governance, and lead the delivery of innovative, evidence-based, and future-focused education pathways for the nursing workforce.
About us
We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.
We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.
This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services as we invest a further £120m to upgrade and modernise our estate by 2027.
We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.
We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.
Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will lead the professional development of the nursing workforce to deliver safe, high-quality, evidence-based care, providing strategic leadership for nursing education, research, and practice development to drive continuous improvement across the organisation.
The post holder will lead and manage the Nursing Development Team (NDT), influencing and driving the development, implementation, and evaluation of workforce strategies, organisational development initiatives, and training plans, incorporating best-practice solutions to achieve Trust objectives.
The post holder will provide senior oversight and strategic accountability for high-quality pre-registration student experiences and placements, and comprehensive post-registration development for staff from Bands 28, including the design, commissioning, delivery, and evaluation of programmes aligned to national standards, regulatory requirements, and Trust priorities.
Chairing and contributing to relevant committees, forums, and projects to provide strategic leadership for nursing workforce development and to advance education, professional development, and quality improvement.
Ensuring nursing care is delivered to agreed high standards, including accurate documentation and information recording, and providing visible professional leadership to develop expert nursing practice and clinical leadership across the Trust.
Being accountable for robust governance arrangements for all pre- and post-registration nursing standards, ensuring alignment with national frameworks, regulatory requirements, and Trust strategies.
Ensuring effective implementation of the nursing professional strategy to deliver a progressive, dynamic, and sustainable professional development programme.
Promoting engagement in research, value-based healthcare, and the application of evidence-based practice and quality-improvement methodologies to support effective change management.
Acting as a role model for nurses by leading and supporting quality-improvement activities, service evaluation, and research, and embedding learning into routine clinical practice.
The post holder will develop close cross-departmental working relationships with Heads of Nursing, Heads of Profession, Service Line Leadership, Governance, Patient Safety, Physical Health, Research and Development, L&D, HR, and QII teams to ensure effective triangulation of clinical, workforce, and quality information to improve nursing practice and patient outcomes.
Responsible for organisational nursing workforce planning and strategic initiatives that improve recruitment, retention, and career progression across the Trust.
The post holder will provide regular, high-quality reports to the Chief Nurse, Deputy Director of Nursing and the Trust Board, as required.
The post holder will be required to exercise sound judgment, emotional intelligence, and personal resilience in managing a wide range of organisational development and delivery issues, including highly complex and challenging situations.
The post holder may deputise for the Deputy Director of Nursing at key internal and external meetings, stakeholder events, and professional forums.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will lead the professional development of the nursing workforce to deliver safe, high-quality, evidence-based care, providing strategic leadership for nursing education, research, and practice development to drive continuous improvement across the organisation.
The post holder will lead and manage the Nursing Development Team (NDT), influencing and driving the development, implementation, and evaluation of workforce strategies, organisational development initiatives, and training plans, incorporating best-practice solutions to achieve Trust objectives.
The post holder will provide senior oversight and strategic accountability for high-quality pre-registration student experiences and placements, and comprehensive post-registration development for staff from Bands 28, including the design, commissioning, delivery, and evaluation of programmes aligned to national standards, regulatory requirements, and Trust priorities.
Chairing and contributing to relevant committees, forums, and projects to provide strategic leadership for nursing workforce development and to advance education, professional development, and quality improvement.
Ensuring nursing care is delivered to agreed high standards, including accurate documentation and information recording, and providing visible professional leadership to develop expert nursing practice and clinical leadership across the Trust.
Being accountable for robust governance arrangements for all pre- and post-registration nursing standards, ensuring alignment with national frameworks, regulatory requirements, and Trust strategies.
Ensuring effective implementation of the nursing professional strategy to deliver a progressive, dynamic, and sustainable professional development programme.
Promoting engagement in research, value-based healthcare, and the application of evidence-based practice and quality-improvement methodologies to support effective change management.
Acting as a role model for nurses by leading and supporting quality-improvement activities, service evaluation, and research, and embedding learning into routine clinical practice.
The post holder will develop close cross-departmental working relationships with Heads of Nursing, Heads of Profession, Service Line Leadership, Governance, Patient Safety, Physical Health, Research and Development, L&D, HR, and QII teams to ensure effective triangulation of clinical, workforce, and quality information to improve nursing practice and patient outcomes.
Responsible for organisational nursing workforce planning and strategic initiatives that improve recruitment, retention, and career progression across the Trust.
The post holder will provide regular, high-quality reports to the Chief Nurse, Deputy Director of Nursing and the Trust Board, as required.
The post holder will be required to exercise sound judgment, emotional intelligence, and personal resilience in managing a wide range of organisational development and delivery issues, including highly complex and challenging situations.
The post holder may deputise for the Deputy Director of Nursing at key internal and external meetings, stakeholder events, and professional forums.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Substantial senior nursing leadership experience within healthcare organisation, including managing change and introducing new ways of working.
- Proven experience in developing and implementing nursing education, workforce or practice development initiatives.
- Proven experience of multi-professional collaboration, including partnership working with mental health professionals, statutory, and voluntary sector organisations.
- Proven track record of effective partnership working with HEIs, NHSE, ICBs, regulators, and other external stakeholders.
- Experience in commissioning, managing and evaluating education and training programmes, including oversight of NHSE CPD budgets and HEI placement tariff.
- Experience in developing and implementing organisational, nursing education, and workforce development strategies, policies, audits and frameworks.
Desirable
- Experience of publishing research, leading QI projects, or contributing to national nursing or education policy development.
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse (Mental Health or Learning Disabilities) with current NMC registration.
- Master's degree in a relevant subject e.g. Education, Leadership, Workforce Development.
Desirable
- Fellowship or teaching qualification (PGCert / FHEA / NMP qualification) or equivalent level of experience.
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Comprehensive understanding of national policy, regulatory and workforce agendas affecting nursing, mental health, and education.
- In-depth knowledge of NMC standards, NHSE Education Agreement requirements, and national frameworks for pre- and post-registration nursing education, research, and professional development.
- Strong knowledge of mental health services, relevant legislation, and regulatory standards governing clinical and professional practice.
- Sound understanding of clinical governance, quality improvement, and evaluation methodologies, with the ability to monitor, measure, and evidence the impact of strategy and practice change.
- Proven ability to lead complex change, develop innovative models of workforce and education delivery, and influence organisational strategy at a senior level.
Desirable
- Experience of research governance and ethics processes.
- Understanding of system-level education and workforce planning across Integrated Care Systems (ICS/ICB).
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Substantial senior nursing leadership experience within healthcare organisation, including managing change and introducing new ways of working.
- Proven experience in developing and implementing nursing education, workforce or practice development initiatives.
- Proven experience of multi-professional collaboration, including partnership working with mental health professionals, statutory, and voluntary sector organisations.
- Proven track record of effective partnership working with HEIs, NHSE, ICBs, regulators, and other external stakeholders.
- Experience in commissioning, managing and evaluating education and training programmes, including oversight of NHSE CPD budgets and HEI placement tariff.
- Experience in developing and implementing organisational, nursing education, and workforce development strategies, policies, audits and frameworks.
Desirable
- Experience of publishing research, leading QI projects, or contributing to national nursing or education policy development.
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse (Mental Health or Learning Disabilities) with current NMC registration.
- Master's degree in a relevant subject e.g. Education, Leadership, Workforce Development.
Desirable
- Fellowship or teaching qualification (PGCert / FHEA / NMP qualification) or equivalent level of experience.
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Comprehensive understanding of national policy, regulatory and workforce agendas affecting nursing, mental health, and education.
- In-depth knowledge of NMC standards, NHSE Education Agreement requirements, and national frameworks for pre- and post-registration nursing education, research, and professional development.
- Strong knowledge of mental health services, relevant legislation, and regulatory standards governing clinical and professional practice.
- Sound understanding of clinical governance, quality improvement, and evaluation methodologies, with the ability to monitor, measure, and evidence the impact of strategy and practice change.
- Proven ability to lead complex change, develop innovative models of workforce and education delivery, and influence organisational strategy at a senior level.
Desirable
- Experience of research governance and ethics processes.
- Understanding of system-level education and workforce planning across Integrated Care Systems (ICS/ICB).
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
