Community Learning and Skills Manager

Our friendly and hardworking Barrow Adult Learning team is looking for the right person to lead us as we use the power of education to create opportunities for people to improve their lives, gain new skills and move closer to employment. We offer a wide range of classes including English, Digital Skills, Maths, Employability, Art and Wellbeing. Our main base is in Barrow Library — a welcoming hub for learners and staff — but as a community-focused service, our tutors teach right across the town and surrounding areas. We are one of six centres supporting people across Cumbria, and our supportive colleagues across the county are always available for advice and guidance.

Who we are looking for

The Centre Manager is a full‑time role. They plan the classes we run in Barrow and are key support for our brilliant tutors and office team by making sure that learners are on the right course and getting the results they need to progress with their lives. No two days are ever the same, so this is most definitely not your usual office job. We’re looking for someone who is resilient, great at problem solving and genuinely wants to make a difference. Ideally, you’ll bring experience from an educational setting, have confidence in managing a team, and be comfortable working in partnership with organisations who refer learners to us. However, with ‘Learning’ in our service title, we would always support someone with the right skill set to grow and develop if we felt their ethos matched ours.

This is a fast‑paced and rewarding role where initiative, empathy and a positive approach will help you thrive. Effective communication skills are essential, as you’ll work with a wide range of people, from vulnerable learners and partner organisations to other council departments and local employers.

You’ll need a good understanding of the UK education system or be willing to build that knowledge in the first few months. You’ll also be a confident administrator who embraces technology to help the centre run smoothly and to guide the team through the academic year so that we meet our operational targets.

The role is based in Barrow Library, with travel across the local area and occasionally across the county, so a driving licence is essential. Some evening and weekend work may be required.

Development and flexibility

Finding the right person matters to us. We’re more than happy to discuss this role as a development opportunity for someone with similar experience who is ready to build their knowledge further. We are also open to exploring a job‑share arrangement, where the role could be carried out by two part‑time colleagues (for example, 3 days per week each), for suitably skilled applicants. This would be subject to identifying a compatible job‑share partnership and ensuring service needs can be fully met.

What can we offer you!

Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site.

Would you like to find out more?

For further information about this role, such as responsibilities and essential criteria please view the below attachments: Post Specification Role Profile. For further information please contact: Jo Collins, Area and Curriculum Manager on 07342 707090.

Application and Interview information

Interview date: W/C 27/04/26. We are currently operating both in‑person and virtual interviews. Interview details such as venue/timings will be shared with successful candidates, following the shortlisting process. If you have any concerns or adjustments are needed, we are happy to discuss this with you.