Job summary
The Welsh Clinical Leadership Fellowship (WCLF) is a prestigious year-long programme that develops aspiring clinical leaders through immersive training and practical management experience. Fellows help drive improvement across NHS Wales, working with senior leaders at local, regional, and national levels to influence change and build strong professional networks.
Each Fellow leads a strategic improvement project selected from proposals submitted by healthcare organisations across Wales, gaining hands-on experience in delivering meaningful transformation with support from supervisors and colleagues.
Alongside project work, the Fellowship offers a rich academic and development curriculum--including a Postgraduate Certificate, workshops, site visits, expert-led sessions, and formal teaching--to equip Fellows with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to become credible, influential leaders in a modern NHS.
This exciting opportunity is open to all clinicians working in NHS Wales or within the primary care setting in Wales o Medical: GPST2/ST3 and aboveo Dental: DCT2 and aboveo Agenda for Change: Band 7-8a
If you are motivated, forward-thinking, and eager to contribute to transformative change, we encourage you to apply.
Prospective candidates are invited to join virtual drop-in sessions from 12:30-13:30 on 12/12/2025 or 19/12/2025. To receive the link, email heiw.wcltf@wales.nhs.uk with your preferred date.
Main duties of the job
The Welsh Clinical Leadership Fellowship (WCLF) is a prestigious year-long programme that develops aspiring clinical leaders through immersive leadership training and real-world management experience. Fellows play a central role in driving improvement across NHS Wales, collaborating with senior leaders at local, regional, and national levels to influence change and build strong professional networks.
At the heart of the fellowship is a strategic improvement project, chosen from proposals submitted by healthcare organisations across Wales. Fellows lead these projects with the support of experienced supervisors and colleagues, gaining hands-on experience in delivering meaningful transformation.
Alongside project work, the programme offers a rich academic and development curriculum--including workshops, site visits, expert-led sessions, and formal teaching--to equip Fellows with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to become credible, influential leaders in a modern NHS.
The fellowship provides a unique opportunity to shape the future of health and care in Wales while growing as a dynamic and capable clinical leader.
The Clinical Leadership Fellow will be seconded or be provided with a fixed term contract or be, eligible for out of programme training (medical or dental trainees.)
About us
Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) is the strategic workforce body for NHS Wales with statutory functions that include education and training, workforce planning, workforce development and transformation, leadership and succession planning, and careers. Our purpose is to develop a workforce that delivers excellent care to patients/service users and excellent population health. We are a Special Health Authority working closely with our partners; Social Care Wales, education providers, professional and regulatory bodies and Welsh Government.
HEIW's is committed to developing an internal culture of choice. Our Values reflect our thoughts, feelings and beliefs in how we will, and will not, behave and treat others:
- Respect for All in every contact we have with others,
- Ideas that Improve: Harnessing creativity and continuously innovating, evaluating and improving,
- Together as a Team: Working with colleagues across NHS Wales and with partner organisations.
HEIW received the HPMA Award for Employee Engagement in 2019.
What you can expect:
- a corporate induction and 90 day Welcome itinerary,
- compassionate leadership,
- a meaningful values based performance appraisal process,
- the opportunity to impact upon health and social care services and the lives and wellbeing of the people of Wales.
Many of our colleagues and stakeholders have commented on the buzz and atmosphere we create by working together as "One HEIW Team". Do you want to join that team?
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.
Person Specification
Qualifications and/or Knowledge
Essential
- Employed in a clinical role in NHS Wales or working within Primary Care at A4C Band 7- 8a or equivalent; ST3 or above (medical trainees), GPST2 or above (GP trainees); DCT2 or above (dental trainees) at time of application
- Demonstrates clear understanding of the purpose of the programme and commitment to maximise this development opportunities.
- Demonstrates knowledge of effective problem-solving approaches when plans do not go as expected.
Desirable
- Evidence of reflective practice, including understanding of personal strengths and how these have been used to achieve positive results
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of involvement and engagement in leadership and management development commensurate with grade and experience.
- Ability to reflect on personal impact including the ability to engage with and influence others
- Demonstrable ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary settings and to manage or motivate both in-person and virtual teams.
- Understanding of the background to and aims of current healthcare policies with evidence of implementation.
Desirable
- Managing teams through change.
- Positively contributes to team culture, helping create an environment where people feel valued, supported and empowered to deliver high-quality care.
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential
- Ability to provide and receive complex, sensitive, or contentious information with the ability to negotiate with stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues.
- Demonstrates a strong desire to improve performance and make a difference.
- Ability to prioritise own work effectively with the ability to produce results without continuous direct supervision.
- Ability to build, develop and nurture key relationships and networks, showing adaptability in approach.
Desirable
- Ability to speak Welsh.
- Reflects on past performance, seeks out feedback and then applied learning t current practice.
Values
Essential
- Demonstrates integrity and ethical practice, including transparency, accountability and patient-centred decision-making.
- Demonstrates a consistent commitment to compassionate and inclusive leadership, fostering psychological safety and respect within multi-professional teams. Displaying a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Actively role-models NHS Wales values, contributing to a culture of kindness, openness, continuous improvement and shared purpose.
Desirable
- Committed to collaborative, whole-system working, engaging constructively with colleagues across professions, services and organisational boundaries.
Other
Essential
- Ability to travel to suit the requirements of the role.
Person Specification
Qualifications and/or Knowledge
Essential
- Employed in a clinical role in NHS Wales or working within Primary Care at A4C Band 7- 8a or equivalent; ST3 or above (medical trainees), GPST2 or above (GP trainees); DCT2 or above (dental trainees) at time of application
- Demonstrates clear understanding of the purpose of the programme and commitment to maximise this development opportunities.
- Demonstrates knowledge of effective problem-solving approaches when plans do not go as expected.
Desirable
- Evidence of reflective practice, including understanding of personal strengths and how these have been used to achieve positive results
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of involvement and engagement in leadership and management development commensurate with grade and experience.
- Ability to reflect on personal impact including the ability to engage with and influence others
- Demonstrable ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary settings and to manage or motivate both in-person and virtual teams.
- Understanding of the background to and aims of current healthcare policies with evidence of implementation.
Desirable
- Managing teams through change.
- Positively contributes to team culture, helping create an environment where people feel valued, supported and empowered to deliver high-quality care.
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential
- Ability to provide and receive complex, sensitive, or contentious information with the ability to negotiate with stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues.
- Demonstrates a strong desire to improve performance and make a difference.
- Ability to prioritise own work effectively with the ability to produce results without continuous direct supervision.
- Ability to build, develop and nurture key relationships and networks, showing adaptability in approach.
Desirable
- Ability to speak Welsh.
- Reflects on past performance, seeks out feedback and then applied learning t current practice.
Values
Essential
- Demonstrates integrity and ethical practice, including transparency, accountability and patient-centred decision-making.
- Demonstrates a consistent commitment to compassionate and inclusive leadership, fostering psychological safety and respect within multi-professional teams. Displaying a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Actively role-models NHS Wales values, contributing to a culture of kindness, openness, continuous improvement and shared purpose.
Desirable
- Committed to collaborative, whole-system working, engaging constructively with colleagues across professions, services and organisational boundaries.
Other
Essential
- Ability to travel to suit the requirements of the role.
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).
