Head of Learning and Development

Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust; Doncaster; On-site; GBP 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust in Doncaster is recruiting a Head of Learning and Development (NHS AfC: Band 8a). You will lead education, apprenticeships, and workforce development, shaping learning pathways to meet clinical needs and new models of care.

Reporting to the Deputy Director of OD, you will drive strategy, governance, and partnerships with education providers, ensuring high-quality, evidence-based learning across the Trust and partner organisations.

Qualifications

• Extensive senior leadership experience in learning, education, workforce development and/or organisational development.
• Demonstrable achievement in developing and implementing learning, education or workforce strategies that support organisational objectives.
• Experience of leading multidisciplinary or specialist teams across multiple services or locations.
• Experience of managing budgets, resources, contracts and external funding streams
• Strong track record in change management, service improvement, efficiency and performance management.
• Experience of developing effective partnerships with internal and external stakeholders and education providers.
• Experience of commissioning, delivering and evaluating learning or organisational development interventions
• Experience of project and programme management, with evidence of delivering outcomes within timescales and budgets.
• Knowledge of NHS workforce, education, learning, skills and transformation priorities within the wider health and care context
• Knowledge of statutory and mandatory training requirements, governance and quality assurance.
• Understanding of apprenticeships, vocational learning, assessment methodology, the Apprenticeship Levy and relevant education funding streams.
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex performance, workforce and financial information and produce clear reports and recommendations.
• Highly developed communication, facilitation, influencing, negotiation and presentation skills, including the ability to convey complex or sensitive information.
• Inclusive and adaptable leadership style, with the ability to motivate teams, manage conflict and hold others appropriately to account.
• Ability to prioritise and manage competing strategic and operational demands.
• Ability to challenge existing practice and develop innovative approaches to learning, organisational design and service delivery.
• NHS experience and experience of working with different professional groups and partner agencies
• Experience of delivery of quality improvement initiatives alongside culture change programmes
• Experience of leading apprenticeship programmes, psychometrics, coaching, 360-degree feedback or assessment centres.
• Knowledge of quality improvement methodologies and relevant learning and development accreditation standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead education, apprenticeships, learning and development and ensure robust education governance.
• Shape roles, skills and learning pathways responding to patient needs and new care models.
• Build partnerships and deliver high-quality learning initiatives across tissues and organisations.

Skills

Senior leadership experience

Learning and development

Workforce development

Organisational development

Budgets and resources management

Change management

Partnerships with stakeholders

Programme management

NHS knowledge

Quality improvement

Apprenticeships and assessment

Education

Master’s-level qualification

L&D/OD qualification

CPD evidence

Chartered MCIPD or equivalent

Coaching or psychometric accreditation

Job description

Employer Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site TICKHILL ROAD BALBY Town Doncaster Salary £57,528 - £64,750 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 10/11/2026 23:59 Interview date 27/11/2026

Head of Learning and Development

NHS AfC: Band 8a

Job overview

We are seeking an experienced leader ready to shape the learning and development of the workforce of Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Trust. As Head of Learning and Development you will lead an important portfolio at the heart our organisation's strategic plan. You will help create outstanding learning and career opportunities for our people, strengthen workforce capability and support new ways of delivering high-quality care. This is an opportunity to build strong partnerships and make a lasting difference to our workforce and the patients we serve.

Main duties of the job

Main duties of the job
Reporting to the Deputy Director of OD you will implement the RDaSH's strategic vision, ensuring we have the workforce capacity and capability to deliver the 28 Promises.

You will lead education, apprenticeships, learning and development, widening participation and ensure robust education governance. Working with clinical, operational, system and education partners, you will shape roles, skills and learning pathways that respond to changing patient needs, technological advances and new models of care.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about people, education, training and learning. We require a subject matter expert with a clinical background, proven track record in delivering high quality, impactful and effective learning and education in the public and/or private sector. You will have evidence of working beyond organisational boundaries and have delivered innovative approaches and made tangible differences to learning and development.

You will be a ley influencer as part of the Trusts’ ambition to nurture the power of our communities and develop a truly inclusive culture where people grow, develop, and thrive.

Working for our organisation

Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) employ around 4000 talented colleagues who are very much appreciated, valued, and respected.

We have a wide portfolio which includes mental health, physical health, learning disability and drug and alcohol services.

We are dedicated to the development of our our people and hold a learning half day every month for our colleagues.

We are passionate about enhancing the quality of our service and we work hard to attract and select the right colleagues for our organisation. Our goal is to employ those who share our passion for providing first class care while remaining committed to our vision and values. Please view our Strategy using the link below:

To find out more about working for RDaSH and the fantastic benefits we offer visit our website:

We are committed to inclusive cultures and really value people in our organisation, view our Allyship video on YouTube to find out more:

The main terms and conditions of service can be found here:

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please view the attached job description and person specification to view the full details about the role.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high number of applications.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Master’s-level qualification or equivalent knowledge and experience relevant to the role
• Relevant professional qualification in learning and development, organisational development, education, workforce or healthcare.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Chartered MCIPD or equivalent Qualified Clinical professional.
• Coaching qualification and/or recognised psychometric or 360 degree feedback accreditation.

Experience, Knowledge and Skills

• Extensive senior leadership experience in learning, education, workforce development and/or organisational development.
• Demonstrable achievement in developing and implementing learning, education or workforce strategies that support organisational objectives.
• Experience of leading multidisciplinary or specialist teams across multiple services or locations.
• Experience of managing budgets, resources, contracts and external funding streams
• Strong track record in change management, service improvement, efficiency and performance management.
• Experience of developing effective partnerships with internal and external stakeholders and education providers.
• Experience of commissioning, delivering and evaluating learning or organisational development interventions
• Experience of project and programme management, with evidence of delivering outcomes within timescales and budgets.
• Knowledge of NHS workforce, education, learning, skills and transformation priorities within the wider health and care context
• Knowledge of statutory and mandatory training requirements, governance and quality assurance.
• Understanding of apprenticeships, vocational learning, assessment methodology, the Apprenticeship Levy and relevant education funding streams.
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex performance, workforce and financial information and produce clear reports and recommendations.
• Highly developed communication, facilitation, influencing, negotiation and presentation skills, including the ability to convey complex or sensitive information.
• Inclusive and adaptable leadership style, with the ability to motivate teams, manage conflict and hold others appropriately to account.
• Ability to prioritise and manage competing strategic and operational demands.
• Ability to challenge existing practice and develop innovative approaches to learning, organisational design and service delivery.
• NHS experience and experience of working with different professional groups and partner agencies
• Experience of delivery of quality improvement initiatives alongside culture change programmes
• Experience of leading apprenticeship programmes, psychometrics, coaching, 360-degree feedback or assessment centres.
• Knowledge of quality improvement methodologies and relevant learning and development accreditation standards.

**Eligibility for sponsorship - please read before submitting your application**

Please note, not all vacancies or applications are eligible for sponsorship.

*****Before applying, you can make a self-assessment of potential eligibility for sponsorship here: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

**Please note, there have been some changes made to Home Office guidance including changes to salary thresholds for sponsorship applications and eligibility for dependent visas from 9 April 2025 and from 22 July 2025**

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post will require a submission for Disclosure to be made to check for any unspent criminal convictions.

Application numbers

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high number of applications.

Name Jayne Booth
Job title Deputy Director Organisational Development
Email address [e-mail]
Telephone number 07545396682
Additional information