Associate Director of Education and Professional Development
| Posting date: | 01 December 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | £91,342 - £105,337 pro rata per annum |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 31 December 2025 |
| Location: | Bicester, OX26 6HR |
| Company: | South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 7607248/195-25-293-ARH |
Summary
A Vacancy at South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.
A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen for a dynamic, strategic leader to join SCAS as Associate Director of Education & Professional Development. This pivotal role will shape the future of education across the Trust, driving innovation and excellence in clinical and non-clinical learning.
As Associate Director, you will provide visionary leadership and accountability for all aspects of education within SCAS, including Clinical Coordination Centres, clinical education, driving, statutory training, and professional standards. You will lead the development and delivery of a comprehensive education portfolio encompassing workforce onboarding, clinical and non-technical skills, digital learning, driving training, CPD, apprenticeships, and university partnerships.
Key Responsibilities
• Develop and implement short-, medium-, and long-term education strategies aligned to SCAS’s vision and values. Horizon scan to identify innovative, evidence-based programmes that strengthen workforce capability.
• Oversee education-linked systems, processes, and reporting to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory standards (Ofsted, CQC, HCPC, College of Paramedics).
• Build strong partnerships with higher education institutions, regulators, and external agencies. Influence at policy level and represent SCAS in national forums.
• People Leadership: Lead and inspire a team of 180 staff, fostering a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Provide coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
• Manage a £15m+ budget, ensuring cost-effective, value-for-money services and successful bids for funding.
• Champion digital learning solutions and leverage technology to enhance education delivery and standards.
We are seeking an experienced senior leader with:
• A proven track record in strategic education leadership within healthcare or a related field.
• Expertise in clinical education and standards, with strong knowledge of current clinical guidelines and patient care pathways.
• Exceptional ability to analyse complex information, make informed decisions, and lead change in challenging environments
• Proficiency in Learning Management Systems and digital platforms to support education delivery.
Benefits we offer:
• Full training and a range of courses which you can book locally.
• Holiday entitlement of 27 days, rising to 29 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years’ service, plus an additional 8 days bank holiday (pro rata for part time).
• Automatic enrolment into the NHS Pension Scheme.
• Access to continual professional development within SCAS and the wider NHS.
• Occupational Health support and direct access to our Employee Assistance Programme as well as our own Health and Wellbeing Team.
• NHS Discounts in over 200 + stores saving money on holidays, days out, car insurance, restaurants, clothing and much more.
• Ability to join our staff networking groups (as a member, ally or just for interest).
Corporate Induction
It’s really important for us to ensure you have the best onboarding experience which allows you to feel a sense of belonging from the start. To help with this, we will book your Corporate Induction as soon as we possibly can (depending on availability).
All new starters need to attend our *Corporate Induction in person, this is held over one and half days from our educational centres based in: Newbury (Berkshire), Bicester (Oxfordshire) or Whiteley (Hampshire). More specific details will be sent to you once your start date has been confirmed.
*Please note – depending on your role additional training may be required following on from your corporate induction.
MAINDUTIESANDRESPONSIBILITIES:
Asa seniormanagerwithinSouthCentralAmbulanceServiceyouwillberequiredto provide leadership to your team to ensure the effective provision of the service they provide and to champion change in the organisation.You will ensure that your staff are motivated and express a positive attitude towards the organisation.You will addressanyissuesandconcernsthatmayinhibityourstafffromachievingboththeir personal and organisational goals.*
· In conjunction with the Chief People Officer and Chief Paramedic, supply expert advice to the Executive Team on all clinical education matters, specificallyinthedevelopmentofaneffectivestrategyandoperationalpolicies for delivering clinical education, to ensure competent and capable frontline staff can achieve high standards of care across SCAS.
· Driving the strategy for supporting and ensuring alignment of services’ standardsacrosstherangeofeducationprogramsacross-SCAS,fromin- house, regulated and external providers, to meet Trust needs.
· Drivinginnovationandsupportingorganisationalchangeanduptakeof initiativesthatsupportexcellenceincontactcentres,clinicaleducation, technical, non-clinical and standards.
· Proposing the most effective decisions on behalf of the SCAS that affect patient care, the public, staff, moral, retention, career progression and the Serviceusingwell-informedjudgementandwhennecessary,incollaboration with a range of stakeholders.
· DeputiseforandrepresenttheChiefParamedic/ChiefPeopleOfficerwhen required on education matters; being the ‘public face’ of the SCAS and enhancing the reputation and profile of the Service.
· IdentifyingexamplesofbestpracticeineducationtoensurethatSCAS benefits from relevant innovations in the field, and developing and championing new initiatives or projects as necessary.
· Providingprofessionalleadershipinclinicaleducationandstandardsand supporting others’ expertise and development in relevant fields.
· Beresponsibleforadvising managersandpreparingreportsweekly/monthly for the Executive Team, Trust Board and other Committees.
· Being a role model leader by demonstrating effective and appropriate behaviours in both day-to-day operations and in high risk, difficult and distressing situations; carrying out regular frontline clinical activities as a registeredclinicalprofessional;beingflexiblebydemonstratingappropriate leadership styles and adapting communication to match the situation and audience; wearing uniform when appropriate and required.
· Budgetsetting,managementandmonitoringofthedirectoratebudgetand assets of £15m plus. This will include holding managers and teams accountable for expenditure, promoting cost-effective, value-for-moneyservices.
Please review the Job Description for further information.
This advert closes on Monday 15 Dec 2025
A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen for a dynamic, strategic leader to join SCAS as Associate Director of Education & Professional Development. This pivotal role will shape the future of education across the Trust, driving innovation and excellence in clinical and non-clinical learning.
As Associate Director, you will provide visionary leadership and accountability for all aspects of education within SCAS, including Clinical Coordination Centres, clinical education, driving, statutory training, and professional standards. You will lead the development and delivery of a comprehensive education portfolio encompassing workforce onboarding, clinical and non-technical skills, digital learning, driving training, CPD, apprenticeships, and university partnerships.
Key Responsibilities
• Develop and implement short-, medium-, and long-term education strategies aligned to SCAS’s vision and values. Horizon scan to identify innovative, evidence-based programmes that strengthen workforce capability.
• Oversee education-linked systems, processes, and reporting to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory standards (Ofsted, CQC, HCPC, College of Paramedics).
• Build strong partnerships with higher education institutions, regulators, and external agencies. Influence at policy level and represent SCAS in national forums.
• People Leadership: Lead and inspire a team of 180 staff, fostering a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Provide coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
• Manage a £15m+ budget, ensuring cost-effective, value-for-money services and successful bids for funding.
• Champion digital learning solutions and leverage technology to enhance education delivery and standards.
We are seeking an experienced senior leader with:
• A proven track record in strategic education leadership within healthcare or a related field.
• Expertise in clinical education and standards, with strong knowledge of current clinical guidelines and patient care pathways.
• Exceptional ability to analyse complex information, make informed decisions, and lead change in challenging environments
• Proficiency in Learning Management Systems and digital platforms to support education delivery.
Benefits we offer:
• Full training and a range of courses which you can book locally.
• Holiday entitlement of 27 days, rising to 29 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years’ service, plus an additional 8 days bank holiday (pro rata for part time).
• Automatic enrolment into the NHS Pension Scheme.
• Access to continual professional development within SCAS and the wider NHS.
• Occupational Health support and direct access to our Employee Assistance Programme as well as our own Health and Wellbeing Team.
• NHS Discounts in over 200 + stores saving money on holidays, days out, car insurance, restaurants, clothing and much more.
• Ability to join our staff networking groups (as a member, ally or just for interest).
Corporate Induction
It’s really important for us to ensure you have the best onboarding experience which allows you to feel a sense of belonging from the start. To help with this, we will book your Corporate Induction as soon as we possibly can (depending on availability).
All new starters need to attend our *Corporate Induction in person, this is held over one and half days from our educational centres based in: Newbury (Berkshire), Bicester (Oxfordshire) or Whiteley (Hampshire). More specific details will be sent to you once your start date has been confirmed.
*Please note – depending on your role additional training may be required following on from your corporate induction.
MAINDUTIESANDRESPONSIBILITIES:
Asa seniormanagerwithinSouthCentralAmbulanceServiceyouwillberequiredto provide leadership to your team to ensure the effective provision of the service they provide and to champion change in the organisation.You will ensure that your staff are motivated and express a positive attitude towards the organisation.You will addressanyissuesandconcernsthatmayinhibityourstafffromachievingboththeir personal and organisational goals.*
· In conjunction with the Chief People Officer and Chief Paramedic, supply expert advice to the Executive Team on all clinical education matters, specificallyinthedevelopmentofaneffectivestrategyandoperationalpolicies for delivering clinical education, to ensure competent and capable frontline staff can achieve high standards of care across SCAS.
· Driving the strategy for supporting and ensuring alignment of services’ standardsacrosstherangeofeducationprogramsacross-SCAS,fromin- house, regulated and external providers, to meet Trust needs.
· Drivinginnovationandsupportingorganisationalchangeanduptakeof initiativesthatsupportexcellenceincontactcentres,clinicaleducation, technical, non-clinical and standards.
· Proposing the most effective decisions on behalf of the SCAS that affect patient care, the public, staff, moral, retention, career progression and the Serviceusingwell-informedjudgementandwhennecessary,incollaboration with a range of stakeholders.
· DeputiseforandrepresenttheChiefParamedic/ChiefPeopleOfficerwhen required on education matters; being the ‘public face’ of the SCAS and enhancing the reputation and profile of the Service.
· IdentifyingexamplesofbestpracticeineducationtoensurethatSCAS benefits from relevant innovations in the field, and developing and championing new initiatives or projects as necessary.
· Providingprofessionalleadershipinclinicaleducationandstandardsand supporting others’ expertise and development in relevant fields.
· Beresponsibleforadvising managersandpreparingreportsweekly/monthly for the Executive Team, Trust Board and other Committees.
· Being a role model leader by demonstrating effective and appropriate behaviours in both day-to-day operations and in high risk, difficult and distressing situations; carrying out regular frontline clinical activities as a registeredclinicalprofessional;beingflexiblebydemonstratingappropriate leadership styles and adapting communication to match the situation and audience; wearing uniform when appropriate and required.
· Budgetsetting,managementandmonitoringofthedirectoratebudgetand assets of £15m plus. This will include holding managers and teams accountable for expenditure, promoting cost-effective, value-for-moneyservices.
Please review the Job Description for further information.
This advert closes on Monday 15 Dec 2025
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