Associate Director of Nursing, Education and Research

Associate Director of Nursing, Education and Research NHS AfC: Band 8c Main area Corporate Nursing Grade NHS AfC: Band 8c Contract Fixed term: 18 months (Secondment will be considered for internal candidates - If you are successful after interview, you must obtain approval from your current line manager to accept the offer.) Hours

• Part time
• Job share

22.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday plus on call as rostered) Job ref 218-NM-B8C- Site UHCW NHS Trust Town Coventry Salary £79,504 - £91,609 pro rata per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 12/11/:59 Interview date 01/12/2026

Job overview Associate Director of Nursing, Education & Research

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an inspiring and ambitious nursing leader to join our organisation as Associate Director of Nursing, Education & Research. This pivotal role will provide strategic leadership for nursing education, workforce development, clinical research, and professional practice, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based patient care.

You will work collaboratively with clinical teams, academic partners, and senior leaders to drive innovation, enhance learning opportunities, and embed a culture of continuous improvement and research excellence across nursing services.

If you are a visionary leader with a passion for developing people, advancing nursing practice, and improving patient outcomes, we would love to hear from you.

Interviews are proposed for 1st December 2026.

Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.

Main duties of the job The post holder will lead and develop the non-medical education and research portfolio

• Assurance of education governance in line with professional body and contractual obligations i.e. NMC, HCPC, NHS education contract and HEIs practice education agreements or apprenticeship requirements
• Liaise with all education providers to ensure student experience is enhanced and UHCW's reputation recognised.
• Act as the professional nursing lead for education and practice development to ensure that the highest possible quality of patient care is practiced in all wards and departments.
• Ensure that policy and strategy is developed for education and non-medical research
• Review with colleagues the provision of nursing and midwifery education across the Trust looking for areas to provide multidisciplinary team education and provide a streamlined collaboration.
• Create opportunities to promote UHCW as world class for non-medical education and research aligned to the Centre for Care excellence

Working for our organisation University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.

We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.

Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of under-graduate and post-graduate non medical education programmes for the Trust
• Lead on curriculum development for the Trust in partnership with HEI providers
• Lead the Practice Educators and Practice Development Team
• Contribute to workforce planning to ensure that training/student placement numbers adequately reflect organisational requirements.
• Lead and maintain excellent standards in non-medical education
• Ensure processes are in place to provide assurance in relation to educational provision, e.g. NMC, HCPC, NHSE
• Support and contribute to the development of systems and processes to facilitate strategic workforce planning and development.
• Work collaboratively with system partners to maximise opportunities for workforce and education development, including new roles, e.g. Advanced Clinical Practitioners, Nursing Associates
• Oversee implementation of appropriate frameworks/requirements for education for enhanced, specialist, advanced and consultant roles (NHSE faculty and core capabilities frameworks)
• Oversee non-medical prescribing from funding allocation and training to approval to practice
• Co-ordinate training plans based on workforce requirements in order to oversee and rationalise the use of workforce development and CPD funds
• Develop relationships with international education providers to facilitate opportunities for shared learning and collaborative working
• Monitor funding for all education programmes
• Co-ordinate internal and external reports as required
• Lead UHCW contribution to and shaping of the Centre for Care Excellence and support the implementation of the iCAhRE model for non-medical research.
• Work collaboratively with research and development and HEIs to further the non-medical research within UHCW NHS Trust.
• Work with the Professor of Nursing to plan, implement and embed strategic initiatives and programmes to further non-medical research across the organisation.
• Provide professional advice and support professional groups, Speciality Teams and agencies within and outside the organisation.
• Analyse and interpret highly complex data to inform the strategic direction of nursing and midwifery services and assist in the determination of policy and professional practice/ development
• Provide clinical professional support to GDNAs to support service development within named clinical groups (role developments and education).
• Utilise information systems to produce accurate and timely data and reports.
• Ensure patient and public involvement is integrated into education and research.
• Deputise for the Deputy Chief Nursing Officer when required.
• Participate in the senior manager on-call rota - after 6 months (where relevant).
• Lead and contribute to specific nursing related objectives to secure achievement of key performance indicators and targets as agreed with Chief Nursing Officer and Deputy Chief Nursing Officer.
• Provide oversight of relevant guidance and policy documents under the CNO portfolio.
• Represent the Trust in local, regional, national and international nursing related activities.
• Maintain high degree of visibility within the organisation.
• Management responsibility for the Practice development team.
• Alignment of activities, priorities and evidence to support UHCWs pathway to excellence ambition
• Investigate and action disciplinary matters in accordance with Trust Policy and Procedures, with authority to dismiss when appropriate.

For further details please see the attached job description.

Person specification Qualifications

• 1st level Registered Nursing qualification
• Current NMC registration
• Relevant MSc/MA or evidence of Masters level study
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development

Experience

• Extensive senior nursing / midwifery experience
• Proven record of leading and effectively managing change across organisations
• Evidence of leadership development
• Project management experience
• Experience in dedicated education or research post

Knowledge & Skills

• Expert knowledge of the post's area of responsibility
• Sound knowledge of NHS agenda
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of current issues in nursing & midwifery
• Well-developed leadership skills
• Persuasive with strong influencing skills and the ability to manage conflict
• Highly developed problem-solving, critical appraisal and decision-making skills
• Highly developed skills in interpretation of complex data including report writing skills
• Patient focused
• Highly developed motivational skills and strong commitment to staff involvement and empowerment
• Ability to work within and understand the context in which the Trust operates
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationship internally and externally
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritise and meet deadlines
• Ability to manage the translation of strategic intent to operational reality
• Basic IT skills

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

• Evidence of demonstrating the Trust Values (Compassion, Openness, Pride, Partnership, Improve, Learn and Respect) and the associated Values in Action behaviours in the workplace
• For posts with managerial responsibility only: Evidence of promoting equality, diversity and inclusion . click apply for full job details