Assistant Postgraduate Dental Dean

NHS Scotland; England; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A national health organization is seeking an individual to manage the Dental Workforce Development team in Scotland. The position involves overseeing training programs, managing a team of advisers, and collaborating on various projects to enhance dental education across the region. Candidates should hold a Registered BDS with the General Dental Council and demonstrate strong leadership and communication skills. This flexible position is part-time and remote-friendly, with opportunities for job-sharing.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of Dental Workforce Development.
• Experience in teaching and training for Postgraduate Education.
• Understanding of postgraduate dental education in Scotland.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of Dental and DCP Advisers across Scotland.
• Support education and training for Dental teams.
• Deputise for the Associate Postgraduate Dental Dean when required.

Skills

Leadership

Communication skills

Flexibility

Coaching

Mentoring

Interpersonal skills

Education

Registered BDS with the General Dental Council

Job description

Flexible Location: NES is a remote‑friendly employer with staff based throughout Scotland. We support office‑based and hybrid working arrangements. We welcome conversations about alternative working patterns—please get in touch during the application process to discuss.

Work Pattern: Fixed Term, Part Time, 36 hours per week

Fixed‑term or Secondment** until 31st December 2026

• For NHS applicants, an NHS secondment will be offered in the first instance. For non‑NHS applicants, a fixed‑term or secondment would be considered.

Eligibility and entitlement to work in the UK must be maintained throughout the period of employment.

Who We Are

NHS Education for Scotland (NES) is the national health board with statutory responsibilities to effect sustainable change through workforce development, education and training across the health and social care system in Scotland, while working at UK level with partner organisations.

The Dental Directorate is responsible for the delivery of high‑quality education and training across a diverse range of training programmes, including the management, funding and provision of postgraduate education for dentists and dental care professionals (DCPs).

The Opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Dental Workforce Development workstream within the Dental Directorate, responsible for supporting education and training for Dental teams across Scotland. Consideration will be given to candidates who wish to work part‑time or as a job‑share.

The successful candidate(s) will work as part of the national team for Dental Workforce Development, supporting education and training for Dental teams, including the quality assurance of training delivered throughout Scotland.

Qualifications and experience:

• Registered BDS with the General Dental Council.
• Extensive knowledge and experience of Dental Workforce Development and engagement in teaching and training relating to Postgraduate Education and CPD.
• Understanding of the context of postgraduate dental education in Scotland (and the wider UK), with a strong grasp of all aspects of dental career development.
• Evidence of line management experience.
• Leadership, flexibility, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including experience in coaching, mentoring and mediation.
• Travel throughout Scotland required.

The Postholder Will

• Manage a team of Dental and DCP Advisers located throughout Scotland.
• Work with the Associate Postgraduate Dental Dean on projects relevant to the workstream, including Mandatory Training, New to Scotland Education Support Training (NEST) and developing career pathways for those entering the NHS Scotland workforce.
• Deputise for the Associate Postgraduate Dental Dean at NES‑wide and national meetings as required.
• Ensure appropriate resourcing and work with the workstream Business Manager to prepare business cases.
• Demonstrate honesty, integrity, care and compassion when dealing with others, utilising tact and persuasion skills when necessary.
• Work on own initiative, to organise and prioritise own workloads, to meet strict deadlines.

Diversity and Inclusion

Developing a successful national service for Scotland is impossible without ensuring we consider the diverse needs, perspectives and backgrounds of everyone in Scotland in our work. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and aim to ensure everyone is treated fairly, with respect and has a positive recruitment experience – regardless of the outcome.

It’s not essential to be in an Assistant Postgraduate Dental Dean role right now. You may be returning from a career break (e.g. maternity, paternity, caring for others) or returning after working in another field. Your experiences elsewhere can bring a fresh perspective to our work.

If you are considering applying and feel it would be helpful to discuss this initially, please contact Thomas Lamont, Associate Postgraduate Dean (DWD), [e-mail].

Next Steps

• NHS candidates will be considered firstly on a secondment basis, and so are strongly encouraged to discuss this with their current NHS employer at the earliest opportunity, ideally prior to application.
• All shortlisted applicants will be contacted by e‑mail.
• Interviews (in person or online, including a short presentation) will take place on 20th January 2025; presentation topic will be sent to candidates selected for interview.
• Preference will be given to candidates who have records of appropriate right to work in the UK or who can be sponsored according to UK immigration rules before submitting their application.
• Applicants will be required to attend the office prior to the start date for face‑to‑face pre‑employment checks; adjustments are available if needed.

Please note, CVs will not be accepted. The deadline for applications is 23:59 hours on the closing date (not specified).

Right to Work

To work in the United Kingdom, a legal requirement exists for an individual to demonstrate relevant permission. This is granted by the UK Visa and Immigration Service. NHS Scotland Boards will check your entitlement during pre‑employment checks. See the GOV.UK website for further information on routes of permission and sponsorship eligibility.