Job Overview
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Please see below for the detailed job description of the role.
This post is only open to internal applicants
Main duties of the job
This is an exciting opportunity to take on a senior leadership role driving the development and delivery of early careers and apprenticeship programmes across the Trust. As the Early Careers and Apprenticeships Senior Lead, you will play a pivotal role in shaping workforce supply, supporting retention, and improving organisational performance through high-quality education and development pathways.
You will provide strategic and operational leadership for apprenticeship programmes, widening participation initiatives, and statutory and mandatory training compliance. Working collaboratively with colleagues across the workforce, education and clinical services, you will ensure programmes are aligned to workforce priorities and deliver measurable impact.
This role has a significant influence on the future workforce by expanding access to careers, strengthening development pathways, and improving staff experience and capability. You will lead initiatives that directly support recruitment, retention, and progression, ensuring the Trust maximises opportunities through apprenticeships, technical education, and support worker development.
Reporting to the Early Careers and Development Manager, you will lead a team across apprenticeships, widening participation, the support worker hub and administration functions. You will work closely with HR Business Partners, recruitment teams, education providers and regional networks, providing leadership, direction and expert advice to deliver high-quality, Trust-wide programmes.
Working for our organisation
University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.
Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.
We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.
At UHS, we’re committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.
At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognising that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We’re committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
Lead the development, delivery and evaluation of Trust-wide apprenticeship and widening participation programmes to support workforce supply, retention and performance.
Provide strategic leadership for statutory and mandatory training compliance, ensuring accurate reporting and alignment with organisational requirements.
Manage and develop teams across apprenticeships, widening participation, support worker hub and administration, ensuring effective workforce planning and performance management.
Oversee the Trust Apprenticeship Digital Account, provider relationships and data analysis to optimise use of the apprenticeship levy and drive continuous improvement.
Person specification
Qualifications, Knowledge And Experience
Essential criteria
Degree in education, healthcare or equivalent Education qualification, PGCE or equivalentExtensive experience of working in an education setting in healthcare or equivalent. Educated to master’s level or able to demonstrate an equivalent level of knowledge skills and experienceExtensive understanding of apprenticeships and technical educationKnowledge of the wider health care staff development requirementsExperience of leading and influencing others they do not directly line manage.Skill in working with inter professional teamsSkill in organising resources and establishing prioritiesAbility to design and implement systems necessary to collect, maintain and analyse data
Desirable criteria
Evidence of management programme having been undertaken.Understanding of link between apprenticeships and technical education and workforce planning and recruitment & retentionProven teaching experienceMentoring or assessment experience and/or qualifications such as TAQA or similar.Experience/understanding of procurement processesBudgetary management experience
