Skip to main content

This site is independent of the NHS and the Department of Health.

Please wait, loading

Job summary

Main area
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Grade
Head of School (HoS)
Contract
Secondment: 12 months (until 31st October 2026)
Hours
Part time - 1.5 sessions per week (6 hours per week)
Job ref
990-NW-16900-E
Employer
NHS England
Employer type
NHS
Site
NHSE Office across the NW Region
Town
Manchester
Salary
In line with HoS sessional payments
Closing
16/09/2025 23:59

Employer heading

NHS England logo

Associate Head of School - Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Head of School (HoS)

Our Organisation

The NHS is building a culture that is positive, compassionate and inclusive – and we all have our part to play.

As employers we are committed to protecting and promoting the physical and mental health and wellbeing of all our colleagues. This underpins our values as set out in the NHS Constitution and supports us to be an Employer of Choice, while helping our colleagues to deliver high quality services for our patients and communities.

As a flexible employer, we want to support you to work in a way that is best for the NHS, our patients and you. Talk to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement whether that’s a job share, part time, hybrid working or another flexible pattern. In addition, although the role advertised may have a ‘home’ office base indicated, we remain committed to supporting flexibility around workplace locations. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

We are an accredited Living Wage Employer which means that every colleague working for our organisation and third-party contractors will earn a real Living Wage.  We are one of over 15,000 organisations, who voluntarily chose to pay the real Living Wage.

Job overview

The post holder will support the Head of School in the Strategic Development of the School of O&G. The post holder will support the School’s Operational Programme and lead on programmes of work within the School strategy. The post holder will be a member of the School Board.

 The post holder will support the School’s commitment to delivering excellent postgraduate O&G training, in environments which promote staff wellbeing, a positive learning culture, and a sense of belonging.

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 be on a Secondment for 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

Main duties of the job

  • To support the School Quality strategy with focus on improving training experience and outcomes
  • To work in collaboration with The Head of School for O&G in implementing the Medical Workforce Strategy, in alignment with the Long-Term Workforce Plan, which supports the recruitment and retention of O&G Trainees to the North West Scheme
  • To support the Head of School in the early identification and management of trainees requiring extra support , with the Lead Associate Dean for the specialty, in line with the NHSE North West WT&E Doctors and Dentists Review Group/Doctors in Difficulty framework

Working for our organisation

The NHS England board have set out the top-level purpose for the new organisation to lead the NHS in England to deliver high-quality services for all, which will inform the detailed design work and we will achieve this purpose 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.

If you would like to know more or require further information, please visit https://www.england.nhs.uk/.

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

If you are successful at interview, we will run an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) in the Electronic Staff Record system (ESR). This transfer gathers valuable information from a previous or current NHS employer to support the onboarding process, including; statutory and mandatory competency status, Continuous Service Dates (CSD), and annual leave entitlement.  You will have the opportunity throughout the recruitment process to inform us if you do not consent.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Head of School will ensure that both national standards, determined by the Royal College, and guidelines and standards established within O&G are met.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced NHS Consultant with a thorough understanding of O&G 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 criteria
  • Consultant in Obstetrics & Gynaecology on the Specialist Register and currently works in the NW England in NHS Trust
  • Member / Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Desirable criteria
  • Attendance at educational courses or an educational qualification such as Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma or Masters in Medical Education

Experience and Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working with doctors in an educational context
  • Experience as an educational supervisor
  • Previous or current lead role in Healthcare Education
  • Understanding the Workforce Transformation agenda
Desirable criteria
  • Experience in recruitment.
  • Awareness of funding streams for Healthcare Education
  • Clinical Manager Experience

Skills

Essential criteria
  • A compassionate and inclusive leadership approach with a positive outlook and an ability to motivate others, particularly when a change is needed
  • A clear sense of vision and an ability to innovate
  • Committed to own personal and professional development
  • An ability to adhere to important deadlines and deliver agreed contributions to programme of work
Desirable criteria
  • Good interpersonal skills, written and oral presentation skills

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident committedStep into healthAccredited Living Wage Employer

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Elizabeth Haslett
Job title
Head of School O & G
Email address
[email protected]
Apply online nowAlert me to similar vacancies