Apprenticeship Relationship Team Lead - Band 6

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; West of England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust seeks an Apprenticeship Relationship Team Lead to coordinate trust-wide apprenticeship activity across multiple delivery models, working with the Apprenticeship Manager and external providers.

You will build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensure a high-quality learner journey, and drive improvements in apprenticeship delivery, governance and funding compliance.

Qualifications

• Educated to Degree level or equivalent professional experience.
• Qualification in healthcare administration, business management, or a related field.
• Evidence of recent continuing professional development (CPD).
• Evidence of working knowledge of the DfE, OFSTED, Awarding Bodies, the apprenticeship sector, and funding guidelines.
• Demonstrates up-to-date knowledge of relevant research, local and national policies, and guidelines.
• Strong communication, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Ability to analyse and present complex information to make informed decisions.
• Strong IT skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with Teams and SharePoint.
• Significant experience in the Education & Skills sector.
• Demonstrates effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Project management certification (e.g., PRINCE2, Agile) or experience with quality improvement methodologies.
• Experience collaborating with external partners, HEIs, or professional bodies.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate apprenticeship activity across multiple delivery models.
• Develop effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure a high-quality learner experience throughout the apprenticeship journey.
• Refer to the detailed job description document attached to this vacancy.

Skills

Communication skills

Relationship management

IT proficiency

Analytical skills

Team collaboration

Apprenticeship sector knowledge

Education

Degree level or equivalent

Healthcare administration / business management qualification

CPD evidence

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Teams & SharePoint

Job description

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This creates an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content‑based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Job Overview

The Apprenticeship Relationship Team Lead plays a key role in supporting the Trust-wide apprenticeship programme across multiple delivery models, including internal delivery, subcontracted provision, and external training providers.

Working closely with the Apprenticeship Manager, the postholder coordinates apprenticeship activity, develops effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and ensures a high‑quality learner experience throughout the apprenticeship journey.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and Person Specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Person specification

• Educated to Degree level or equivalent professional experience
• Qualification in healthcare administration, business management, or a related field
• Evidence of recent relevant continuing professional development
• Evidence of working knowledge of the DfE, OFSTED, Awarding Bodies, the apprenticeship sector, and funding guidelines.
• Demonstrates an up‑to‑date knowledge of relevant research, local and national policies, and guidelines
• Strong communication, influencing and negotiation skills
• Ability to analyse and present complex information to make informed decisions
• Strong IT skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and familiarity with Microsoft Teams and SharePoint for collaboration and digital learning.
• Significant experience in the Education & Skills sector
• Demonstrates effective written and verbal communication skills

• Project management certification (e.g., PRINCE2, Agile) or experience with quality improvement methodologies (e.g. Patient First, Lean, Six Sigma)
• Experience collaborating with external partners, HEIs, or professional bodies.

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

• As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
• The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
• BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
• To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
• If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
• The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
• By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Important

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. If you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification.

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work‑related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.