Senior Education Manager

The King’s Foundation’s educational philosophy is rooted in promoting harmony with nature, protecting traditional craft skills, and fostering sustainable, resilient communities. It aims to help people of all ages access learning that develops traditional skills, environmental understanding, and practical abilities that support personal development and future careers. The fourteen curriculum areas span the arts, food production, science and craft industries.

Dumfries House is the headquarters of The King’s Foundation and is home to eight different curriculum programmes. Due to the nature of the site, many of the activities take place in the natural environment or utilise natural materials and sustainable design principles to inform regenerative practice. 10,000 learners take part in an activity annually ranging from day visits for primary and secondary school pupils, through to entry level skills training, community programmes and artisan level craft training. A residential centre brings learners from further afield. Our programmes are unique in their approach to cross-disciplinary practice, focusing on solutions from multiple viewpoints. A calendar of open days, conferences, festivals and industry round tables run alongside the courses.

The King’s Foundation education programmes are designed to be flexible and adaptable to the ongoing needs of industry and the planet with the opportunity to develop innovative and exciting workshops to fill current gaps. This role will suit an individual keen to make a positive impact on education approaches with an interest in innovation in curriculum delivery and experience managing projects with multiple stakeholders and small teams. The Senior Education Manager will provide operational leadership to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of education delivery at Dumfries House. The post holder will also convene a cross-curriculum education policy group responsible for standardisation across the sites.

• Operational
  • Oversee daily operations of education programmes delivered on the Dumfries House Estate.
  • Lead a team of education managers to deliver a coordinated innovative portfolio of interdisciplinary activity from school age learners through to trainees, postgraduates and professionals.
  • Ensure budgets are set appropriately and adhered to in line with reporting requirements.
  • Maintain robust systems for bookings, reporting, evaluation, and compliance.
  • Ensure facilities, equipment, and learning environments are maintained to high standards.
  • Oversee appropriate risk assessment processes are carried out and ensure adherence to safeguarding and safety requirements.
• Policy Coordination
  • Working alongside the Compliance Manager regularly convene an education policy committee to manage frameworks for evaluation, recruitment, quality assurance, and continuous improvement in line with organisational and statutory requirements.
• Safeguarding and Prevent
  • Working with the Executive and Education Directors, take a lead role in ensuring Safeguarding Policies and Procedures are adhered to across all Foundation sites including working with appointed Safeguarding Leads and Advisors.
• Development
  • Support the Executive Director with long-term planning and development of educational programmes at Dumfries House, with school education as a priority area.
  • Support the Education Director by maintaining and building partnerships with schools, authorities, and industry bodies.
  • Working with the Education Director and Education Managers ensure accurate reporting to funders, governance, and stakeholders.
• Team Leadership
  • Line manages education managers and coordinators.
  • Promote a positive culture of inclusivity and professional excellence.

The essential skills, knowledge and experience required are:

• Essential Experience in a management level role within education or charity settings.
• Qualified to degree level in a relevant subject area with significant experience in the education sector.
• Excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong understanding of quality assurance, safeguarding, and compliance.
• Experience in working to quality assurance standards.
• Ability to lead teams and manage performance.
• Experience engaging with learners and working on curriculum innovation.
• Experience in managing external partners.

Desirable knowledge of curriculum development in areas aligned with the Foundation’s programmes. Understanding of the Harmony philosophy in education.

The post will be based at Dumfries House Estate, Cumnock, KA18 2NJ with the requirement to travel on occasion. Your working hours will be 37.5 hours per week with occasional evening and weekend work. You must have the legal right to work in the UK. This post is considered to be a regulated activity therefore any offer will be subject to a satisfactory disclosure check with the Disclosure Scotland.

Please submit a cover letter and CV (please note one A4 page maximum each for CV and letter) to Gordon Watson, email address: hr.recruitment@kings-foundation.org and request an application form. Closing date for applications: Friday 10th of April 2026 at 1pm.