Digital Content Developer

Working under the direction of the Digital Learning Manager, the Digital Content Developer will design, create, and maintain high-quality immersive and digital learning materials that enhance teaching, learning and assessment across the College. The post holder will play a key role in developing 2D and 3D digital assets, interactive resources and immersive learning experiences, including AR and 360 environments, with exposure to or interest in VR-based learning approaches, to support innovative and technology-enhanced learning practice. Over the duration of the fixed-term contract, the role is expected to evolve from a primary focus on 360 and AR content creation towards increased development and implementation of VR-based learning experiences. A particular focus of the role will be the creation of immersive scenarios and visual learning assets to support technical, vocational and advanced manufacturing curricula.

Key Responsibilities

• To design, create and maintain high-quality digital learning content, including 2D and 3D digital assets, video, interactive resources and 360 media, to support teaching, learning and assessment across the College.
• Capture high-quality 360 images and video using specialist equipment, including drones, to enhance immersive and visual learning resources.
• Develop immersive learning experiences and scenarios, including AR and 360 environments, with scope to contribute to or develop VR-based learning approaches.
• Work collaboratively with curriculum teams and external stakeholders to identify opportunities where immersive or digital content can enhance curriculum delivery.
• Support the Digital Learning Manager in designing and producing bespoke learning materials, ensuring accessibility, pedagogical value and consistency with college standards.
• Provide training, demonstrations and guidance to staff on using immersive technologies, digital platforms and content-creation tools.
• Review, test and evaluate emerging digital, immersive and 3D technologies, sharing recommendations and good practice with colleagues to support continuous improvement.
• Maintain and manage equipment, software, systems and platforms used for digital and immersive content creation, including supporting access to immersive learning spaces.
• Support and help manage bookings and coordinate access to immersive learning spaces.
• Complete general administrative tasks relevant to digital resource creation, staff support and project delivery.
• Monitor and evaluate the use and impact of digital and immersive resources, contributing to reporting, evaluation and evidence of impact where required.
• Keep professionally up-to-date with developments in immersive production, 360 media, and wider digital learning trends.
• Participate in workshops, cross-College events and initiatives to promote digital innovation.
• Attend team meetings as and when required.
• Undertake appropriate CPD/Staff development both internally and externally to keep abreast of digital technologies.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties aligned with the role as maybe required.

Qualifications

Essential Criteria

• A relevant qualification, Level 4-6 in digital, media, computing or creative discipline or demonstrable practical experience in digital content creation.

Desirable Criteria

• A recognized teaching or training qualification.
• A Level 7 qualification in Learning and Development or an equivalent discipline.

Experience

Essential Criteria

• Demonstrable experience producing a range of digital learning and media content, including 2D and/or 3D digital assets, video, 360 media, interactive resources or similar.
• Experience using a range of digital tools, platforms and software to design, develop and deliver content that supports learning, engagement or media production.
• Experience capturing 360 media using specialist equipment, including drones where appropriate.
• Experience creating digital content that is fit for educational use, with an understanding of accessibility, usability and pedagogical purpose.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience supporting staff in the creation, adaptation or effective use of digital learning materials.
• Experience developing immersive learning content, including VR, AR and/or 360 environments, and integrating 3D assets or simulations into learning resources.
• Experience designing digital assets or immersive scenarios for technical, vocational or industrial contexts, such as advanced manufacturing, engineering, construction or STEM-related subject areas.
• Experience operating drones safely for media capture, including awareness of flight planning, risk assessment and relevant regulations.

Specialist Knowledge

Essential Criteria

• Awareness of current developments in digital learning, immersive technologies and media production, including the use of interactive and digital content to enhance teaching, learning and assessment.
• Understanding of how 2D, 3D and immersive digital content can be designed and applied effectively within an educational context, including considerations of accessibility, usability and learner engagement.
• Awareness of UK drone regulations, including safe operation requirements and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) guidance for drone usage in educational or public environments.

Desirable Criteria

• Awareness of how immersive technologies, simulations or digital visualisations can be used to support learning in technical, industrial or manufacturing-related environments, including process visualisation and skills development.
• Familiarity with FE and HE sector developments, relevant organisations and best practice in digital learning and immersive technology (e.g. Jisc, ETF).
• Understanding of CAA operator and flyer ID requirements and best practice for compliant drone-based media capture.

IT Skills

Essential Criteria

• Strong IT skills with confidence using a range of digital tools, platforms and systems to create, manage and deliver digital learning and media content.
• Ability to learn, adapt and apply new digital technologies quickly, including emerging tools used for immersive, interactive or visual content development.
• Experience with authoring or content-development tools used in education (e.g. Adobe Creative Cloud, Articulate360 or similar platforms).

Desirable Criteria

• Experience using content creation and design software to develop digital learning materials, such as video, interactive resources, 360 content and 2D or 3D digital assets.
• Experience utilising AI-assisted tools to support digital content development, such as AI-supported text, image, audio or video creation tools (e.g. Microsoft Copilot or equivalent).
• Experience using 3D visualisation, simulation or immersive content tools to support technical or vocational learning contexts.

About Hopwood Hall

We are a Further Education College and University Centre offering a range of full and part time courses employing over 600 staff on our campuses in Rochdale and Middleton situated to the north-east of Manchester. We are committed to being a great place to work and have membership status of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter. We are a Living Wage employer and an accredited Disability Confident Employer.