Curriculum Director: Digital and Future Technologies in Sunderland

Sunderland College has been delivering highly successful courses for more than 20 years and is one of the largest providers of post-16 education in the North East with approximately 14,300 students. The College has two campuses across the city of Sunderland, offering a wide range of academic and vocational provision for school leavers and adults. The College aims to develop and positively shape lives, communities, and the economy through teaching, learning and development of skills. Our students consistently achieve outstanding results and Sunderland College has been ranked in the top 25% in the country for student achievement rates. In October 2024, we were ranked as Ofsted outstanding, and we are proud of our diverse student and staff community that provide our students with bespoke education pathways to help them achieve their future career goals.

As an employer, we prioritize cultivating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, where our staff can thrive and grow. We recognize that our employees are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to investing in their professional development and overall wellbeing.

This is an exciting, bold and future-focused opportunity for an exceptional leader who combines strategic vision with deep insight into artificial intelligence, automation, and Future technologies. You will be someone who understands how digital transformation is reshaping industries — from creative media and engineering to health, business, and education — and who can inspire teams to embed this understanding into curriculum design and delivery. We are seeking a Changemaker: an ambitious, innovative and people-centred leader with the drive to influence educational reform. You will bring the confidence to lead at faculty level while also acting as a cross-college consultant, guiding Curriculum Managers and Faculty Directors to prepare for a digitally driven future. You’ll thrive in a collaborative environment, demonstrate exceptional communication and strategic thinking skills, and share our values of inclusivity, ambition and excellence. Above all, you will have a passion for transforming lives through education and for equipping students with the digital skills that will shape the future economy.

This unique, fixed-term opportunity (one year) has been created as part of a bold faculty realignment and in direct response to the Government’s Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper (2025). It is both a faculty leadership and consultative innovation post — ideal for a visionary professional who wants to drive sector-wide change. As Curriculum Director: Digital and Future Technologies, you will provide strategic and operational leadership of the faculty, ensuring outstanding curriculum quality, performance and innovation. At the same time, you will act as a college-wide advisor, supporting other faculties to integrate AI, digital innovation and advancing technologies into their curriculum planning, pedagogy and workforce development. Based primarily at Bede Campus, this role offers access to exceptional facilities, including the newly developed HICSA site and links with heavy industry and creative digital sectors. For the right candidate, this is a one-year opportunity to influence institutional strategy, lead digital transformation and develop your own senior leadership profile in one of the North East’s most ambitious and outstanding FE colleges.

Role Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership of the Creative, Digital and Computing faculty, ensuring excellence in curriculum quality, teaching and learning, and student outcomes.
• Act as the college-wide consultant for digital futures, advising and supporting Curriculum Managers and Faculty Directors to embed AI, automation and advancing technologies into their provision.
• Drive curriculum development and innovation, aligning programmes to labour-market intelligence and regional economic priorities.
• Lead on employer and industry engagement, ensuring programmes reflect current and emerging digital skills needs and provide meaningful work-related opportunities for students.
• Manage faculty performance, staffing and budgets, maintaining a focus on quality, efficiency and growth in line with College strategic priorities.
• Contribute to the Senior Curriculum Team, supporting strategic decision-making, inspection readiness and continuous improvement across the Partnership.

Qualifications

• A degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject area such as Computing, Digital Technologies, Engineering, Creative Digital Industries, or a related field.
• An appropriate higher-level academic or professional qualification in leadership and management (or significant evidence of equivalent experience).
• A PGCE or recognised teaching qualification.
• Level 2 qualifications in English and Maths (or equivalent).
• Evidence of continuous professional development (CPD), particularly in digital innovation, AI, or advancing technologies.
• A higher-level postgraduate qualification (e.g., Master’s or equivalent) in a relevant subject area.
• Professional membership or certification linked to digital transformation, AI, or leadership (e.g., ILM, CMI, BCS, or equivalent).
• Proven experience of successful curriculum and faculty leadership within Further or Higher Education.
• Strong understanding of AI, digital transformation and advancing technologies and their impact across multiple sectors.
• Evidence of curriculum innovation that has improved quality, outcomes and employability.
• Experience of leading quality improvement and performance management processes that result in measurable impact.
• Excellent financial management, strategic planning and team-leadership skills.
• Deep understanding of Ofsted expectations, technical education reform and the post-16 skills landscape.
• Ability to act as a consultant and influencer, supporting cross-college collaboration and professional development in digital capability.
• Experience of cross-college digital or innovation projects with measurable institutional impact.
• Knowledge of AI ethics, digital literacy frameworks and automation tools relevant to vocational education.
• Experience of working with employers, HE partners and industry networks to co-design curriculum.
• Familiarity with funding models, technical reforms and national digital skills priorities.
• Experience in Higher Education delivery within FE and/or managing degree-level provision.
• A higher-level management or leadership qualification.

What’s in it for you?

Join EPNE and you’ll be part of a culture that prioritizes your development and wellbeing, which is why all employees receive an extensive benefits package. Enjoy a generous holiday allowance ranging between 35-48 days per year, plus public holidays (Excluding Term Time Only contracts). Generous family leave and flexible working options (dependent on role). LGPS or Teacher Pensions Scheme (dependent on role 15.7% - 28.68%). Access to myLifestyle benefits platform providing retail discounts and more. We offer dental, eye care & health cash plans. Extensive wellbeing support through a digital Wellbeing Hub that offers a broad range of support for physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. Free parking on most campuses.

Due to the nature of this post, you will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure Check. We believe in equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to PREVENT and safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.