Head of Learning and Course Development in Manchester

Hybrid – Home Based 3 days and working from Manchester Office 2 days (with a requirement for National Travel as and when required).

Salary: £72,000 per annum

Role Overview: The Head of Learning & Course Development will have responsibility for the UKROEd Academy and the Quality Assurance, Training, Research and Development of the NDORS Programmes.

Closing Date: Close of business (5pm) Friday 16th January 2026

To Apply: Email CV and covering letter detailing your suitability to the role to Rachael Lowrie, HR Manager, UKROEd.

Overview of the role:

• Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, the postholder will have responsibility for the Quality Assurance, Training, Research and Development of the NDORS Programmes.
• This includes course development and evaluation and the training of those providing the courses to the public, and the courses delivered by the UKROEd Training Academy to all internal staff and stakeholders.
• There will be the need for close working relationships with all business area owners and UKROEd SLT.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• The post holder will be responsible for the overall quality of the courses, designed by the Research & Development Unit.
• Will have overall responsibility for the quality programme which includes, the recruitment and selection of Assessors, the training of Instructors and Internal Monitors.
• Overseeing the Research & Commissioning Manager, the post holder will be responsible for ensuring initiative is shown in the planning of course development, research and evaluation programme.
• The post holder will provide specialist advice, support and ensure liaison between the UKROEd Research & Development Unit, Professional Standards and Course Providers.
• Provide specialist advice, support and liaison between the Executive and other business areas. This will include commissioning work.
• The post holder will be innovative in the design, re-engineering and development of the most effective processes, and then manage the process with accurate and up-to-date data collection.
• Keep abreast of the most recent advancements and techniques in education and growth.
• The post holder will provide specialist advice and support to the UKROEd National Quality Programme Manager concerning the assessment process and later training process.
• Improve current processes and optimise organisational procedures for efficiency and productivity.
• The post holder will be responsible for the budget allocated across the entirety of their business area.
• Working closely with the Head of Programmes and Continuous Improvement, build effective relationships with designers and production companies.
• Working closely with the Head of Programmes and Continuous Improvement, carry out procurement to ensure the right suppliers are engaged with each development project.
• The post holder will ensure the capability of the assessment team, and through assessment on a rolling 2-year basis ensure the courses attendees receive the highest quality and consistency of provision throughout the UK.
• The post holder will attend meetings and represent UKROEd with stakeholders for matters pertaining to quality, assurance and assessment, training, course development, research and development.
• The post holder will support the COO and Business Area Owners on the development and review of standards, policies, and procedures.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert, handling enquiries, developing action plans, and assisting with preparation and dissemination of communications in relation to the programme of work in their business area.
• Cultivate and nurture relationships, across all stakeholder groups.
• Utilise data-driven insights, analytics, and key performance indicators to illustrate the benefits derived from projects/programmes, and proactively drive necessary actions.
• Analyse data and produce reports for the SLT and UKROEd Boards and Committees.
• The post holder will support the National Quality Programme Manager with the assessment process and will have overall responsibility for the effective and efficient quality assurance, consistency and management of the Assessment Team and Senior Assessor.
• The post holder and the National Quality Programme Manager will be the main point of contact regarding assessment queries from both assessors and providers and carry out assessments where there are specific needs.
• Attend meetings and conferences to represent UKROEd.
• The post holder will advise the Chief Operating Officer regarding standards, policies, and procedures regarding assessment as well as the development of contracted staff, quality of their assessments and consistency.
• Working with the Head of Programmes and Continuous Improvement, ensure the timely and effective evaluation of projects and production of reports for the Executive Team.
• Be responsible for the management of effective relationships between the Research & Commissioning Manager, the RDU lead and team of Associates and wider associate pool.
• Build effective relationships with Police Forces, and Licensed NDORS course providers.
• Carry out consultation with stakeholders.
• The post holder will be responsible for the annual standardisation meeting of the Assessment Team.
• The postholder will work with the Professional Standards Unit in relation to those trainers whose performance necessitates intervention.
• Working with the Research & Commissioning Manager and Research & Development Team they will update course content; collating and synthesising intel gained by the assessment team to the R&D Team, in order to inform future course development.
• The post holder will be responsible for policies, procedures and guidance in relation to their business area responsibilities.
• Working with the HR Manager, the post holder will ensure there is training and CPD opportunities available for relevant UKROEd colleagues.
• Develop and execute training initiatives that are in line with the company’s mission and objectives.
• The post holder will take the lead in the strategic development and then deployment of The UKROEd Academy to raise the quality and outcomes in the instructors, monitors and assessor training in the first instance and trainer instruction in the future.
• The post holder must maintain a suitable cadre of contracted Tutors, Assessors, and Internal Quality Assurance Associates monitoring their deployment, tasking and development.
• The post holder will be required to oversee the design, development and delivery of Academy courses and carry out internal Quality Assurance by the Academy Manager.
• The post holder will work with the HR Manager to carry out a training needs analysis of UKROEd staff to enable the learning and development of the team.
• Liaise with other managers to ascertain training requirements and budgets.
• Be responsible for championing Diversity & Inclusion across their business area and NDORS responsibilities, ensuring courses and assessments are accessible and the scheme continues to improve.
• Take the lead in ensuring the ongoing development of the British Sign Language Action Plan and any other such plan as directed through the Diversity and Inclusion Board.

Person Specification:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Training and Development, Human Resources, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Proven experience as a Training and Development Manager or a similar role.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport with employees and stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrable experience of performance management and cultivating success.
• Demonstrable experience in a business management or executive role.
• Experience in organising and directing multiple teams and departments.
• Experience in planning and leading strategic initiatives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Versatile abilities and extreme dedication to efficient productivity.
• Experience in data analysis and budget management.
• Consulting experience, with a focus on operations management.
• Nimble business mind, focused on developing creative solutions.
• Strong reporting skills, with focus on interdepartmental communication.
• Wide assessment experience, including the setting up, assessment and quality assurance processes to support daily operations of both the organisation and its responsibilities.
• Knowledge of the NDORS scheme and the stakeholders within it.
• Knowledge of the NDORS courses, their target audience and content.
• Knowledge of the project management lifecycle and associated methodologies.
• Proven experience as a Training and Development Manager or a similar role.
• Demonstrate proficiency in learning management systems and e-learning platforms.
• Level 5 or above Management and Leadership qualification.
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant subject and have research experience.
• Experience of working in an Education Sector.
• TAQA Assessor / IQA Qualification.
• Recognised Teaching / Training Qualification.
• The postholder will have a high level of organisational skills with an eye for detail.
• Confident in building an effective working relationship.
• Agile approach to working.
• To be able to undertake national travel when required.
• Excellent communication skills which can be adapted for differing audiences.
• The design and development of educational and behaviour change courses.
• Project Management.
• Proficiency in Project/Programme Management or Change Management, with a proven ability to shape and lead the delivery of transformation programmes.
• Understanding of Charity and Company Governance.