NHS England

Training Programme Director General Surgery NW

The closing date is 04 December 2025

Job summary

The Training Programme Director in General Surgery will support the Head of School in the Strategic Development of the School of Surgery.

The post holder will lead on the development of the School's Recruitment and Retention Strategy and contribute to supporting the School Operational Programme.

The post holder will be a member of the School Board.

Main duties of the job

The Training Programme Director will focus upon improvement of learner supervision, assessment and experience, engagement of faculty and ensuring effective educational outcomes, both now and in the future. The role is evolving and will also focus on whole workforce transformation and developing multi-professional links.

The Programme Director will ensure that both national standards, determined by the Royal College, and guidelines and standards established within General Surgery are met. Responsibilities will include:

  • To oversee the Specialty's Regional Training Programme
  • Specialty-specific matters and trainee/trainer concerns

The ideal candidate will be an experienced NHS Consultant with a thorough understanding of General Surgery training across the region and who will also have strong leadership and communication skills and be able to work effectively as a member of a multi-professional team.

About us

Our work supports the NHS to deliver high quality services for patients and best value for taxpayers.

Our staff bring expertise across hundreds of specialisms -- including clinical, operational, commissioning, technology, data science, cyber security, software engineering, education, and commercial -- enabling us to design and deliver high-quality NHS services.

We lead the NHS in England by:

  • Enabling local systems and providers to improve the health of their people and patients and reduce health inequalities
  • Making the NHS a great place to work, where our people can make a difference and achieve their potential
  • Working collaboratively to ensure our healthcare workforce has the right knowledge, skills, values and behaviours to deliver accessible, compassionate care
  • Optimising the use of digital technology, research, and innovation
  • Delivering value for money

Earlier this year, the Government announced that NHS England will gradually merge with the Department of Health and Social Care, leading to full integration. The aim is to create a smaller, more strategic centre that reduces duplication and eliminates waste.

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 recruitment process.

Details

Date posted

20 November 2025

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

Depending on experience In line with TPD sessional payments

Contract

Secondment

Duration

10 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

990-NW-18602-E

Job locations

3 Piccadilly Place

Manchester

M1 3BN


Job description

Job responsibilities

As a result of NHS England's (NHSE) integration into the Department of Health, all educator recruitment activity either extensions to existing contracts or new appointments, will now be on a Fixed Term basis with an end date of 31 October 2026. We are currently reviewing the recruitment process beyond this date and will provide updates as soon as the new procedures

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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

As a result of NHS England's (NHSE) integration into the Department of Health, all educator recruitment activity either extensions to existing contracts or new appointments, will now be on a Fixed Term basis with an end date of 31 October 2026. We are currently reviewing the recruitment process beyond this date and will provide updates as soon as the new procedures

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

Qualifications

Essential

  • Consultant in General Surgery on the Specialist Register and working in NHS in North West England
  • Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons

Desirable

  • Education Qualification such as Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma or Masters in Medical Education (D)

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working with doctors in an educational context
  • Experience as an educational supervisor especially for General Surgery trainees

Desirable

  • Clinical Manager experience
  • Previous or current appointment as a Leader in Healthcare Education would be desirable
  • Experience in Recruitment
  • Awareness of funding streams for Healthcare Education
  • Understanding the Workforce Transformation agenda

Skills

Essential

  • Demonstrable leadership skills, consistent with own personal style, and an ability to motivate others
  • Effective interpersonal skills, as well as written and oral presentation skills
  • Committed to own professional development and learning
  • Ability to remain curious, open to new ideas, and willingness to be challenged
  • Adequate organisational skills to be able to deliver the operational aspects of the role in a timely manner

Desirable

  • A clear sense of vision and an ability to innovate
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Consultant in General Surgery on the Specialist Register and working in NHS in North West England
  • Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons

Desirable

  • Education Qualification such as Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma or Masters in Medical Education (D)

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working with doctors in an educational context
  • Experience as an educational supervisor especially for General Surgery trainees

Desirable

  • Clinical Manager experience
  • Previous or current appointment as a Leader in Healthcare Education would be desirable
  • Experience in Recruitment
  • Awareness of funding streams for Healthcare Education
  • Understanding the Workforce Transformation agenda

Skills

Essential

  • Demonstrable leadership skills, consistent with own personal style, and an ability to motivate others
  • Effective interpersonal skills, as well as written and oral presentation skills
  • Committed to own professional development and learning
  • Ability to remain curious, open to new ideas, and willingness to be challenged
  • Adequate organisational skills to be able to deliver the operational aspects of the role in a timely manner

Desirable

  • A clear sense of vision and an ability to innovate

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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

3 Piccadilly Place

Manchester

M1 3BN


Employer's website

https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/working-for/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

NHS England

Address

3 Piccadilly Place

Manchester

M1 3BN


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 Surgery

David Van Dellen

david.vandellen1@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

20 November 2025

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

Depending on experience In line with TPD sessional payments

Contract

Secondment

Duration

10 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

990-NW-18602-E

Job locations

3 Piccadilly Place

Manchester

M1 3BN


Supporting documents

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