Learning Design Lead (Part-Time) in Exeter

Surf Life Saving Great Britain

JOB DESCRIPTION

Role: Learning Design Lead (Part-Time)

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £35,000 - £40,000 pro rata (depending on experience)

Place of Work: HQ in Exeter, Hybrid with travel across UK

Working Pattern: Part-time, 9am - 5pm, three days per week (0.6 FTE)

About Surf Life Saving Great Britain

We keep people safe on our coasts and waterways, uniting communities to save lives. Our 10,000 volunteers from all walks of life patrol beaches, strengthen community resilience to extreme weather, deliver emergency coastal and flood rescue, provide training, develop community clubs, and nurture world-class athletes.

Our collective impact delivers fewer drownings and accidents, improved physical and mental wellbeing, stronger communities, vital life skills and career opportunities. Last year, we helped 3,525 people: 13 lives saved, 37 first aid responses, 51 missing persons, 98 rescues, 1,546 reactive interventions, and 1,780 preventative interventions.

Our aim is to provide lifesaving education and skills to those aged 5 to 105, creating fitter, safer waterside communities.

Our Values: We\'re united by our values: we\'re one community and one team; we act with care and courage; we love and respect the water; we never stop learning.

Where We Operate: Our HQ is in Exeter, but Surf Life Saving GB clubs exist throughout the UK, from Aberdeen to St Ives, including inland clubs like York and Worcester. Our rescue teams respond nationwide. We work in partnership with International Life Saving, lifesaving bodies worldwide, government, rescue organisations, universities, and schools.

Job Purpose

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of Surf Life Saving Great Britain (SLSGB) by reshaping our education and training content. As Learning Design Lead, you will be responsible for reviewing, updating and re-launching our portfolio of training courses, working in close partnership with internal and external subject matter experts on our three core pillars of Life Saving, Community, and Sport. This will include course delivery via a new digital learning platform, in-person course materials, and community-focused resources. The goal is to support our members, partners and the wider community by delivering consistent, high-quality education that enhances lifesaving knowledge and promotes water safety across the UK.

Main Responsibilities:

• Content Development & Review
• Oversee the SLSGB portfolio of training, including Life Saving training for volunteers and professionals, Community engagement programmes, and skills development in Sport.
• Review and design course curriculum, content, materials, manuals, digital assets, and learning resources across all SLSGB training.
• Map out clear learning pathways and progression routes for each audience.
• Make learning fun and engaging for learners aged 4 to 104!
• Work with subject matter experts to ensure all educational content reflects the latest evidence, technology, and legislation relating to lifesaving and related fields, including DEFRA and Department of Education requirements.
• Digital Learning & Innovation
• Lead the transition of SLSGB courses to online and blended learning models, ensuring accessibility and engagement across a wide range of learners.
• Establish best-in-class user experience on the SLSGB digital learning platform.
• Work with a designer and adhere to SLSGB guidelines to ensure training material and resources are on brand and finished to a high standard.
• Train the Trainer
• Work in partnership with subject matter experts to upskill SLSGB Trainer Assessors and Level 1 & 2 Coaches to deliver new learning pathways and course curriculum.
• Provide regular updates and refresher training as and when courses change.
• Ensure Trainers are equipped with the right access levels and resources.
• Community Engagement
• Work with the Digital & Communications Manager and other team members to provide information and support about new and updated training courses to 10,000 SLSGB members, professionals working in coastal and marine roles, water sports organisations, schools, youth groups, and community partners.
• Support the national drowning prevention strategy by creating resources and programmes that educate the public and at-risk groups.
• Quality Assurance & Consistency:
• Maintain uniformity in course content and assessment criteria across all strands of training, regions, and delivery methods.
• Carry out regular visits and collect feedback from users and stakeholders to inform continuous improvement in educational offerings.
• Partnership & Collaboration:
• Build relationships with external organisations (e.g., schools, emergency services, local authorities) to broaden the reach of SLSGB\'s educational mission.
• Contribute to grant proposals or funding applications related to education and water safety.

Person Specification

Essential

• Alignment with Surf Life Saving GB’s values.
• Demonstrated experience in high-quality curriculum development, educational resource design, or instructional design.
• Proven record developing digital and in-person training solutions that are creative and engaging.
• Experience setting up and managing Learning Management Systems (LMS) and multimedia content development.
• Excellent writing, spelling, grammar, communication and presentation skills.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines independently.
• Capable of delivering innovative solutions on a tight budget.
• Passionate about water safety, youth education, and community engagement.

Desirable

• Strong understanding of Surf Life Saving GB’s activities and educational framework.

·Track record of developing training in a safety, sport, aquatic, or charity environment.

·The drive and confidence to deliver training (e.g. Community Programmes, or Train the Trainer sessions).

Working Pattern

·9am - 5pm, three days per week.

·Other working hours and patterns will be considered on request.

·Willingness to attend evening and weekend events with SLSGB volunteers, involving travel and overnight stays. Evening and weekend work will be compensated through ‘time off in lieu’ (TOIL) or overtime payments, as appropriate.

·You must have a current driving license and will be required to provide your own car. A mileage allowance will be paid.

• You must have the right to live and work in the UK.

To apply, please submit a CV (no longer than three pages) along with a brief cover letter (maximum 500 words) to recruitment@slsgb.org.uk.