Learning Designer in London

The Government Skills Group was created to improve the coherence and quality of learning and development in government through better training, knowledge and networks. It is the backbone behind The Campus, a term used to unite all the locations, on and offline, where over 450,000 Civil Servants across Government develop the skills, knowledge and networks they need. Government Skills will become the National School of Government and Public Services in Autumn 2026.

Within Government Skills, the Design and Delivery Team exists to curate, design and deliver high-quality learning opportunities that equip Civil Servants with the skills and knowledge they need to deliver excellent public services. The Design and Delivery Team operates flexibly, and senior team members can expect to lead and contribute to multiple workstreams, offering excellent developmental opportunities.

We are looking for skilled, experienced Learning Designers who are innovative and creative, champion high-quality learning, and collaborate effectively across multiple teams. We want to hear from you if you have the following:

• Experience of developing new, innovative, evidence-based learning products, and/or improving existing ones, for Civil Servants of all grades in various delivery formats (face-to-face, hybrid, and virtual learning environments);
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to pivot to learners' needs;
• A strong commitment to your own growth and learning by continuously developing your skills and staying up to date with the latest learning and development practices.

Key Responsibilities

As a Learning Designer, you will:

• Lead on the design and development of new and existing learning products for Civil Servants of all grades. This will include creating, testing, evaluating, and refining learning products, while also ensuring they are designed in-line with governance, quality assurance, and accessibility standards. These learning solutions will be innovative and evidence based.
• Facilitate learning events and workshops to support organisational goals and priorities, ensuring positive engagement and impact.
• Manage your workload and competing demands by prioritising your portfolio of work, which will include the development of new interventions, continuous improvement of existing products, and procurement processes.
• Build productive working relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders from Departments, Professions and cross-Whitehall networks; communicating effectively with them through different communication channels.
• Lead and participate in communities of practice, training and mentoring internal teams and delivery partners, developing train-the-trainer materials and design standards, and building networks across departments to drive consistency and support for the professionalisation of learning and development across the Civil Service.
• Line manage HEO Learning Design and Delivery Officers.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Experience of designing and developing creative, impactful learning interventions for Civil Servants in face-to-face and/or virtual environments.
• A deep understanding of adult learning theories, approaches, and methodologies; with experience of incorporating them into the design of learning interventions.
• Experience of facilitating high-impact learning interventions for Civil Servants of all grades.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to absorb complex processes and explain them to a wide range of audiences.
• Proven track record of using collaboration and consultancy skills to build effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and customers.
• Excellent research and analytical skills, with the ability to use evidence to develop learning solutions.
• Experience of managing multiple projects with competing priorities; using problem solving skills to navigate challenges as they arise.
• Experience of using some or all of the following: Learning Experience Platforms (LXP), Digital learning platforms, such as Articulate Rise, Accessibility standards (WCAG), Inclusive design principles.

Desirable Criteria

• An understanding of Learning Management Systems (LMS) for course structuring and reporting.
• Foundational multimedia production skills (including video editing, audio recording, graphic design principles, image editing).
• Experience of Virtual Learning Environments and generative AI tools in designing learning content.
• Line management experience.
• Level 5 CIPD L&D qualification (or equivalent).

Additional information:

Cabinet Office policy is that a minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. For some roles, due to their nature and the business need, this may be up to 100%. Requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Describe a time when you worked with stakeholders to design or re-design a learning solution. What steps did you take, and how did you incorporate your knowledge of adult learning theories and methodologies?

Benefits

Alongside your salary of 45,292, Cabinet Office contributes 13,121 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and employer contributions of 28.97%.
• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified, applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

Application process

To apply for this role, submit the following:

• A CV, no more than 2 pages
• A Statement of Suitability, maximum 750 words, that outlines how you demonstrate the essential criteria on the person specification.
• Your answer to the Technical Question: "Describe a time when you worked with stakeholders to design or re-design a learning solution. What steps did you take, and how did you incorporate your knowledge of adult learning theories and methodologies?" Maximum 250 words.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form. Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the lead criteria: the technical question.

The shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview. Detailed information will be provided to successful candidates following the sift.

The interview will consist of:

• Presentation - Candidates will need to deliver a 5-minute interactive presentation - Topic will be provided to successful candidates ahead of time.
• 4 x Strengths-based questions
• 3 x Experience-based questions

Interview location: Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Any move to Cabinet Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out. In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service/Disclosure Scotland on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD).

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found.

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative. The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact: Name: Thembi Watt Email: thembi.watt2@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team Email: cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.