Specialty Training Programme Director for General Surgery

Job summary

The role of Specialty Training Programme Director for General Surgery within the South West School of Surgery will work with and support the Head of School for Surgery in leading the delivery of a wide range of functions, aligned to the NHS England mandate and long-term workforce plan.

There are two general surgery TPDs for the South West and the successful applicant will work closely with the other incumbent to manage the whole of the general surgery training programme across the whole of the south west. We would welcome applications from candidates across the South West region.

The rolewill focus upon improvement of learner supervision, assessment and experience, engagement of faculty and ensuring effective educational outcomes, both now and in the future.

The appointment will be made on the basis of a part-time secondment to NHS England, alongside existing employment with an NHS Trust in the South West geographical footprint.

This is a senior educator position appointed on a secondment basis until 31 March 2027.

Main duties of the job

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

About us

NHS England has a wide range of statutory functions, responsibilities and regulatory powers. These are focused on supporting the wider NHS to deliver high quality care, as well as doing those things that are best done once for the whole NHS.

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.

In March 2025,the Government announced that NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care will increasingly merge functions, ultimately leading to NHS England being fully integrated into the department.

If you currently work within the NHS and 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 our offices.

We cannot offer visa sponsorship for any vacancies.

Job responsibilities

You can find further details about the job, organisational structure, recruitment profile, expected outcomes and benefits information in the Job Description and other supporting documents.

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 and Training

Essential

• Primary clinical healthcare qualification
• Attendance at courses aimed to support educational development (example: educator courses, Train the trainer, etc)
• Consultant currently working in the South West

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

• Considerable experience of working with learners or doctors in training in an educational context
• Demonstrable track record of delivery in service and education

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Demonstrable leadership skills and an ability to influence and motivate others
• Ability to quickly establish personal and professional credibility with colleagues and other key stakeholders