KSS Head of School - Ophthalmology | NHS England

NHS England; Horley; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A national health organization is seeking a Head of School for Ophthalmology to lead the KSS Postgraduate School and manage postgraduate training programmes. The role involves collaboration with various healthcare teams, ensuring quality education, and adapting to changing service models. Candidates should have relevant leadership experience in healthcare education. The application deadline is Sunday, 7 Dec 2025.

Qualifications

• Experience in leading educational programs in a healthcare context.
• Strong understanding of postgraduate training requirements.
• Ability to manage diverse teams and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the KSS Postgraduate School of Ophthalmology.
• Oversee recruitment and management of training programmes.
• Ensure compliance with educational standards and practices.

Job description

An outstanding individual is sought to fulfil the role of Head of School for Ophthalmology for KSS.

This is a 1 PA Head of School vacancy.

The role of Head of School is to work with and support the NHSE Postgraduate Dean in leading the delivery of a wide range of functions, aligned to the NHSE mandate.

In addition, to work across the SE to explore and develop a SE School of Ophthalmology in conjunction with the TV and Wessex teams.

To support the Postgraduate Dean, Heads of Schools work across the spectrum of health and where relevant, social care, within the context of a team, so that the provision of education reflects changing service models. This will deliver an integrated workforce comprising individuals from a spectrum of professional and other backgrounds.

The Head of School will be expected to meet the challenges of leading the School and Education Providers to deliver the changing curriculum in an evolving service landscape.

Although the main role is to lead and develop the KSS Postgraduate School of Ophthalmology, all senior clinicians within NHSE may have wider roles and projects as agreed with the Postgraduate Dean.

Our work supports the NHS to deliver high quality services for patients and best value for taxpayers.

Our NHS Objectives

• Enabling local systems and providers to improve the health of their people and patients and reduce health inequalities
• Making the NHS a great place to work, where our people can make a difference and achieve their potential
• Working collaboratively to ensure our healthcare workforce has the right knowledge, skills, values and behaviours to deliver accessible, compassionate care
• Optimising the use of digital technology, research, and innovation
• Delivering value for money

Earlier this year, the Government announced that NHS England will gradually merge with the Department of Health and Social Care, leading to full integration. The aim is to create a smaller, more strategic centre that reduces duplication and eliminates waste.

If successful at interview, we will initiate an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). This retrieves key data from your current or previous NHS employer to support onboarding, including competency status, Continuous Service Dates (CSD), and annual leave entitlement. You may opt out at any stage of the recruitment process.

Key Responsibilities

• Specialty‑specific matters and trainee/trainer concerns
• Recruitment to training posts and programmes
• To use our educational resources to support learners within programmes to achieve their full potential
• Postgraduate programme management, including assessments, progression, rotations (to ensure Code of Practice compliance), support and remediation, OOP management, trainee management, careers support, less than full‑time training, interdeanery transfer, academic training and other related work‑streams
• To oversee the School structure and relevant School meetings within the structure

You can find further details about the role, including key responsibilities and accountabilities, alongside the organisational structure and person specification in the attached Job Description and other supporting documents.

Secondments

Applicants from within the NHS will be offered on a secondment basis only. Agreement should be obtained from their employer prior to submitting the application.

This advert closes on Sunday 7 Dec 2025