Job Description

As a Higher Education Coordinator, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of healthcare by leading innovative education pathways that grow our own workforce. Sitting within the Future Workforce Team, this role is all about building strong partnerships with Higher Education Institutions and internal teams to deliver high-quality learning environments for aspiring nurses and healthcare professionals. You'll be the driving force behind programmes like Grow Your Own and apprenticeships, ensuring students receive exceptional academic and pastoral support while navigating their journey into clinical practice.
Main duties of the job
The Higher Education Coordinator will be part of the Future Workforce Team and will lead on the development, coordination, and delivery of partnerships with Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to support the Health Board's Grow Your Own and Apprenticeship pathways into nursing and other healthcare professions. The postholder will act as a key liaison between the Health Board, HEIs, and internal departments to ensure high-quality clinical learning environments and support for students.

• Lead and manage the higher education pathways such as Grow Your Own and Apprenticeship programmes, by collaborating with internal teams and Higher Education Institutions, to ensure high-quality learning environments and student success through strong partnerships
• Provide professional and pastoral support to students, acting as a role model and guiding them through academic, clinical, and professional processes, including educational interviews, resit opportunities, withdrawals and appeals
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with HEIs, national bodies, and internal stakeholders to align programme delivery with workforce needs and ensure consistency, quality, and innovation in education
• Be the key liaison and communicator between the Health Boards, HEIs and relevant national bodies, combining information on student progress, clinical practice understanding and learning provider information within Service Level Agreements / local policies

About us
Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.
We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.
We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.
Our services are provided in:

• Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
• Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
• Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
• 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
• Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services

Details
Date posted
08 December 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
39,263 to 47,280 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
100-AC339-1225
Job locations
Health Board Wide
Health Board Wide
SA31 3BB
Job description
Job responsibilities
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Interviews will be held on 08.01.2026 Job description
Job responsibilities
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Interviews will be held on 08.01.2026
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential

• Registered Nurse (NMC)
• Degree or equivalent experience within workforce development e.g. education
• Knowledge and application of NMC code
• Extensive knowledge and experience of collaborative practice
• Understanding and/or experience in work-based learning
• An understanding of the locality served by the Health Board and its social and economic character, including barriers faced by staff accessing opportunities
• Evidence of ongoing professional development and a strong commitment to the Health Board values

Desirable

• PGCE or teaching qualification
• Advice and Guidance or Careers Coaching qualifications or experience
• Demonstrable leadership and management experience

Experience
Essential

• Significant post-registration experience including working in a leadership role
• Experience collaborating with HEIs
• Experience in student support or education, particularly within developing clinical staff
• Experience in mentoring student nurses and/or facilitating staff development

Desirable

• Experience within NHS
• Experience delivering training
• Careers advice and development experience

Other
Essential

• Ability to work on own initiative, whilst being an effective member of a team
• Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner
• Flexible approach to needs of the service able to respond to departmental changes and priorities.

Desirable

• Welsh Speaker (Level 1)

Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential

• Registered Nurse (NMC)
• Degree or equivalent experience within workforce development e.g. education
• Knowledge and application of NMC code
• Extensive knowledge and experience of collaborative practice
• Understanding and/or experience in work-based learning
• An understanding of the locality served by the Health Board and its social and economic character, including barriers faced by staff accessing opportunities
• Evidence of ongoing professional development and a strong commitment to the Health Board values

Desirable

• PGCE or teaching qualification
• Advice and Guidance or Careers Coaching qualifications or experience
• Demonstrable leadership and management experience

Experience
Essential

• Significant post-registration experience including working in a leadership role
• Experience collaborating with HEIs
• Experience in student support or education, particularly within developing clinical staff
• Experience in mentoring student nurses and/or facilitating staff development

Desirable

• Experience within NHS
• Experience delivering training
• Careers advice and development experience

Other
Essential

• Ability to work on own initiative, whilst being an effective member of a team
• Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner
• Flexible approach to needs of the service able to respond to departmental changes and priorities.

Desirable

• Welsh Speaker (Level 1)

Skills Required