Director of Education and Commercial Activity
Shape the future of education in one of the South West's largest and most ambitious NHS Trusts.
University Hospitals Plymouth is seeking an exceptional Director of Education to shape the future of education, training and workforce development across one of the South West's largest teaching Trusts.
This is a senior, system-facing leadership role with responsibility for a £40m+ education portfolio, bringing together apprenticeships, undergraduate and postgraduate education, professional development and commissioned programmes into a single, integrated Education Directorate.
We are looking for a credible, confident and values-driven leader who sees education as a strategic enabler of quality, safety and workforce sustainability. You will bring senior-level experience of leading large, multi-professional education or workforce portfolios, strong strategic judgement, and the presence to operate as a trusted adviser at executive and system level.
This role offers the opportunity to:
* Set and deliver a Trust-wide Education Strategy aligned to clinical and workforce priorities
* Build coherent education pathways that enable people to develop, progress and thrive
* Strengthen UHP's reputation as a leading education and training provider regionally and nationally
If you are excited by shaping the future rather than maintaining the status quo, this is a role with real scale, influence and legacy.
Main duties of the job
Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS at Risk staff throughout Devon who is able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.
Provides clear strategic direction for education and associated commercial activity, positioning education as a core enabler of workforce sustainability, service quality and financial resilience across the Trust and wider system.
Leads commercial activity in a way that is ethical, transparent and values-driven, balancing financial disciplines with staff wellbeing, inclusion and learner experience, and maintaining public trust in a regulated NHS education environment.
Uses financial data, market insight and system intelligence to inform strategic decisions, prioritise investment, manage risk and shape a sustainable education and training portfolio.
Builds and sustains productive relationships with universities, NHS organisations, system partners and commercial organisations to extend reach, share risk and maximise education opportunities for the Trust and Integrated Care System.
Creates a high-performing education and leadership culture, developing capability, accountability and succession within teams, and ensuring staff are supported to innovate and deliver consistently high-quality outcomes.
Job responsibilities, overview, and other details are further outlined in the separate JD and person spec.
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.
We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams.
Job responsibilities
This is a highly significant director-level portfolio, with responsibility for a Trust-wide education economy of circa £40m per annum, including clinical and non-clinical education funding, apprenticeships, clinical placement income, commissioned programmes and commercial activity. The post holder will lead the commercial growth of the education and training portfolio, ensuring robust governance, quality assurance, and financial sustainability.
As a senior director within the Trust, the post holder will work autonomously and provide expert advice to the Chief Medical Officer and Executive Team on education, workforce development and education-related commercial strategy, translating strategic intent into operational delivery and measurable impact.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience
* Demonstrable senior leadership experience in a large, complex organisation, with a successful track record of delivering education, workforce and commercial outcomes.
* Extensive demonstrable experience of commercial development, income generation, or business growth.
* Demonstrable experience of working with higher education institutions and professional regulators.
* Proven track record of managing large budgets and delivering financial targets.
* Strong strategic thinking and analytical capability.
* Excellent negotiation and influencing skills.
* Financial acumen and commercial awareness.
* Ability to build high level partnerships and networks.
* Exceptional communication and leadership skills.
* Demonstrable experience of Board reporting and assurance.
* Demonstrable experience influencing at senior management or Board-facing level.
* Demonstrable experience of leading organisational change.
* Demonstrable experience within the large clinical setting or public sector education environment.
* Deep understanding of education markets and workforce development.
* Demonstrable experience of international education partnerships.
Qualifications
* Master's degree or equivalent demonstrable experience in a relevant field (e.g., healthcare management, education, business administration).
* Proven evidence of ongoing professional development relevant to education, workforce or service leadership.
* Formal training in governance, risk management, or corporate accountability.
* Qualification or accredited training relevant to education, workforce development, or organisational leadership.
* Proven evidence of senior leadership development.
* Proven evidence of significant financial literacy.
* Doctoral qualification or executive leadership programme.
* Professionally qualified in education, management, or finance.
Aptitude and Abilities
* Credible and inclusive leader, able to bring people with them through change.
* Demonstrates sound judgement and effective risk management.
* Able to balance organisational priorities with values-based leadership.
* Committed to developing others and building sustainable capability.
* High integrity and professionalism.
* Resilient and able to operate in complex environments.
* Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Disposition, Attitude and Motivation
* Entrepreneurial outlook with appetite for innovation, calculated risk-taking, and market development.
* Strong public service ethos combined with commercial pragmatism.
* Passion for developing people, talent, and future leaders.
* Interest in national policy, education reform, and global health workforce trends.
* Demonstrates curiosity, continuous learning, and reflective leadership practice.
Other Factors
* Ability to operate across organisational and system boundaries.
* Resilience and comfortable operating in complex environments.
* Commitment to NHS values and education-led workforce improvement.
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.
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