Job overview
We are excited to introduce a brand‑new opportunity at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: Director of Learning and Education (12‑month Fixed‑Term Contract).
This senior leadership role will play a pivotal part in our Trust‑wide transformation programme, bringing together a number of education, learning and development teams under one unified strategic direction. Reporting to the Chief People Officer, the postholder will shape and lead our new Education Directorate, setting a modern, ambitious vision to develop a compassionate, competent and future‑ready workforce.
This role is ideal for an experienced education leader who thrives in complex environments, can influence at system level, and is passionate about creating high‑quality learning environments that underpin safe, effective patient care. You will work closely with Executive colleagues, Divisional leadership teams, universities, regulators and HIOW ICS/ICB partners to drive forward a refreshed approach to training, capability development and workforce transformation.
This is a rare and exciting opportunity to build something new, lead significant change and leave a lasting legacy across HHFT.
This role could be based at either site - Basingstoke & North Hampshire Hospital or Royal Hampshire County Hospital. Travel between sites is required.
Interviews are taking place on Thursday 21st May 2026 in the afternoon at Royal Hampshire County Hospital.
Main duties of the job
Strategic Leadership
1. Develop and deliver the Trustwide Education, Learning and Development Strategy aligned with the People Strategy, Quality Strategy and service transformation priorities.
2. Provide expert strategic advice to the Executive Team and Board on workforce capability, regulatory compliance and education quality.
Education Governance and Assurance
3. Lead the Trust’s Education Governance Framework, ensuring robust systems for quality, risk management and regulatory compliance (including GMC, NMC, HCPC and NHSE/WTE standards).
4. Maintain oversight of education‑related risks, escalating through appropriate Trust committees.
Operational and Functional Leadership
5. Lead and unify a multi-professional education workforce, establishing a high‑performing, inclusive and psychologically safe culture.
6. Oversee learning environments, clinical placements, supervision standards and faculty development.
Performance, Quality and Analytics
7. Set and monitor KPIs covering statutory/mandatory training, capability development, induction, role specific competencies and learner experience.
8. Develop an analytics framework linking education outcomes to patient safety, quality and workforce metrics.
Transformation and Workforce Development
9. Support service redesign and workforce transformation programmes, including new roles, extended practice and advanced practice pathways.
10. Lead development of career pathways, talent pipelines and succession planning across clinical and corporate roles.
Partnership and System Leadership
11. Represent HHFT at system, regional and national education forums.
12. Build strong working relationships with HEIs, NHSE/WTE, regulators, professional bodies and HIOW ICS/ICB.
Financial Leadership
13. Hold overall responsibility for education budgets, external funding, apprenticeship levy optimisation and investment in digital/simulation‑based learning.
Values and Culture
14. Champion inclusion, equity of access, and the NHS People Promise within all education and training activity.
15. Ensure that learning supports a just culture, patient‑centred care and compliance with PSIRF principles.
Working for our organisation
Our vision is to provide outstanding care for every patient. Patient care is at the heart of what we do at our three sites: Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester and Andover War Memorial Hospital. Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides medical and surgical services to a population of approximately 600,000 people across Hampshire and parts of West Berkshire.
Our cultural ambition is to have a culture that places people at the heart of all we do, where we all belong, and where learning, improvement and excellence thrive.
We provide specialist services to people across the UK and internationally. We are one of only two centres in the UK treating pseudomyxoma peritonei (a rare form of abdominal cancer) and we are leaders in the field of tertiary liver cancer and colorectal cancer.
The trust employs more than 9,000 staff and has a turnover of over £500 million a year. As a Foundation Trust, we are directly accountable to our members through the governors. The Council of Governors represent the interests of their constituencies and influence the future plans of the Foundation Trust.
Your Next Career Move Made Easier – Accommodation May Be Offered
We understand relocating can be a big step. Hampshire Hospitals may be able to provide accommodation options for successful candidates, depending on availability. If this something you would like to explore please contact on 02080 360017
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Full details of the role can be found in the attached job description and person specification. For an informal discussion about the position, please contact Heather Bennett, EA to the Chief People Officer, at to arrange a suitable time.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
16. Master’s degree or equivalent experience
17. Evidence of ongoing continuing professional development
18. Demonstrable leadership development or equivalent experience
Desirable criteria
19. Registered professional qualification (e.g., NMC/GMC/HCPC/Pharmacy) where relevant
20. Postgraduate qualification in education or leadership.
21. Coaching qualification; experience in organisation wide culture/leadership programmes.
Experience and Knowledge
Essential criteria
22. Substantial senior leadership experience in healthcare or a complex public sector setting
23. Proven track record of designing and delivering Trust wide or system level education strategy and governance.
24. Leading multi professional education and quality assurance with regulators/HEIs.
25. Budget ownership and financial control at scale (including apprenticeship levy and external income).
26. Proven delivery of measurable outcomes (compliance, capability, safety)
27. In depth knowledge of national education policy and regulatory frameworks
28. Understanding of workforce planning, advanced practice, and new/extended roles.
29. Able to lead and inspire senior managers, build high performing teams and a just, inclusive culture.
Desirable criteria
30. Experience of influencing at regional/national level
31. Establishing simulation/digital learning infrastructure
32. Successful external funding bids
33. Leading differential attainment reduction programmes
34. Knowledge of AI enabled learning analytics; apprenticeship funding rules; tariff and placement funding.
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
35. Strategic thinking with highly developed analytical and judgement skills
36. Able to translate strategy into deliverable plans with KPIs.
37. Exceptional influencing, negotiation and relationship building skills across executive, clinical and system partners.
38. Programme and change leadership at scale
39. Excellent written communication, with Board level report writing
40. Risk management and governance expertise
Desirable criteria
41. Experience of workforce redesign or transformation programmes
Other
Essential criteria
42. Demonstrably values‑led, role models HHFT values and NHS leadership
43. Ability to work across multiple sites
44. Flexibility to meet organisational demands