NHS England

Training Programme Director Surgery

The closing date is 12 March 2026

Job summary

The Training Programme Director in Exam Support for the North West Rotation will support the Head of School in supporting trainees to pass their Primary and Final FRCS exams.

The post holder will lead on the development of the School's Exam Support Strategy and liaise with the Trainee Support Unit where appropriate.

The post holder will be a member of the School Speciality Training Committee.

Main duties of the job

  • Work in collaboration with Head of School of Surgery and local examiners to ensure high quality support to trainees in the North West sitting their Primary and Final examinations.
  • To work with the Head of School to support all trainers on the North West to review support in place for trainees struggling with the Primary or Final examinations.

About us

Our staff bring expertise across clinical, operational, commissioning, technology, data science, cyber security, software engineering, education, and commercial specialisms -- 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 people can develop and make a difference
  • 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, to create a smaller, more strategic centre that reduces duplication and 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 process.

Colleagues with a contractual office base are expected to spend, on average, at least 40% of their time working in-person.

Details

Date posted

26 February 2026

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

Depending on experience In line with TPD sessional payments

Contract

Secondment

Duration

9 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

990-NW-EC461-E

Job locations

Any NHSE Office across the North West Region

Flexible across the North West Region

M1 3BN


Job description

Job responsibilities

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

The ideal candidate will be an experienced NHS Consultant with a thorough understanding of Surgery Exam 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.

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

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

The ideal candidate will be an experienced NHS Consultant with a thorough understanding of Surgery Exam 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.

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

Experience

Essential

  • Experience as an examiner for the Royal College of Surgeons
  • Experience as a panel member on ARCP
  • Experience of participating in Quality Panels on the School of Surgery
  • Considerable experience of working with doctors in an educational context including running a regional examination preparation course
  • Applicants who are doctors require a Licence to Practise

Desirable

  • Trained and experienced in recruitment, selection and Equality and Diversity in the last 3 years
  • Experience in Recruitment at a national level
  • Demonstrable track record of delivery in service and education

Skills

Essential

  • Demonstrable leadership skills and an ability to influence and motivate others
  • A strong sense of vision and ability to innovate.
  • Politically astute with an ability to sensitively manage complexity and uncertainty
  • Strong interpersonal, communication, written and presentation skills

Desirable

  • Ability to quickly establish personal and professional credibility with colleagues and other key stakeholders.
  • Excellent organisational and time management skills
  • Committed to own personal development and an ability to support others to develop and progress
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

Experience

Essential

  • Experience as an examiner for the Royal College of Surgeons
  • Experience as a panel member on ARCP
  • Experience of participating in Quality Panels on the School of Surgery
  • Considerable experience of working with doctors in an educational context including running a regional examination preparation course
  • Applicants who are doctors require a Licence to Practise

Desirable

  • Trained and experienced in recruitment, selection and Equality and Diversity in the last 3 years
  • Experience in Recruitment at a national level
  • Demonstrable track record of delivery in service and education

Skills

Essential

  • Demonstrable leadership skills and an ability to influence and motivate others
  • A strong sense of vision and ability to innovate.
  • Politically astute with an ability to sensitively manage complexity and uncertainty
  • Strong interpersonal, communication, written and presentation skills

Desirable

  • Ability to quickly establish personal and professional credibility with colleagues and other key stakeholders.
  • Excellent organisational and time management skills
  • Committed to own personal development and an ability to support others to develop and progress

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

Any NHSE Office across the North West Region

Flexible across the North West Region

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

Any NHSE Office across the North West Region

Flexible across the North West Region

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

26 February 2026

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

Depending on experience In line with TPD sessional payments

Contract

Secondment

Duration

9 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

990-NW-EC461-E

Job locations

Any NHSE Office across the North West Region

Flexible across the North West Region

M1 3BN


Supporting documents

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