Head of Educator Training in London

WSET exists to empower people and support the drinks industry from producer to consumer. We offer a comprehensive suite of globally recognised qualifications covering wines, spirits and sake. We are the world’s leading provider of qualifications in wines, spirits, beer and sake, delivering over 140,000 exams each year to candidates in over 70 countries via our network of Approved Programme Providers (APPs). WSET is a global organisation and we are proud to have people who work for us all over the world.

The successful applicant will contribute to a culture that values curiosity, striving for better and leading with empathy within WSET. WSET fosters a welcoming, empathetic and inspiring culture that empowers our global talent to innovate and thrive. We recognise that strong candidates may not meet every requirement listed. If you bring a growth mindset, a strong interest in learning and teaching, and transferable skills that would help you succeed in the role, we value curiosity, adaptability and commitment to excellent learner experience alongside direct experience of specific tools and systems.

Any offer of employment or your ongoing employment is conditional upon the successful completion of a thorough background check by an independent third party.

Salary: £52,000 - £57,000

The Head of Educator Training role is at the forefront of improving the quality of education for students through inspiring and empowering all WSET educators. The role will lead the delivery of the programme in line with WSET's strategic plan to establish and strengthen relationships with educators globally with the aim of enhancing their professional growth, strengthening advocacy, building a community and creating better insight to improve the educational experience of students. It involves management of the Education Training Team to deliver the Educator Training Programme and wider educator development activities, including the Continued Educator Development programme, and some face-to-face teaching of WSET qualifications. This role will involve some evening and weekend work and national and international travel.

Strategic vision and planning

• Plan the annual delivery to ensure demand for educator training and financial targets are met.
• Develop a plan to establish and strengthen relationships with educators globally with the aim of enhancing their ongoing professional growth, strengthening advocacy, build a trusted community and creating better insight to improve the educational experience of students.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to understand and align with WSET's strategic aims.
• Inspire and empower all WSET educators, ensuring they feel supported, valued, and equipped to deliver high-quality education.
• Work with the Product Development Team to support the development of existing Educator Training Programmes (ETPs), and additional educator development opportunities. Providing feedback and market insights.

Operational delivery of existing programmes

• Ensure the highest standard of delivery, making sure that programs have the required delivery staff and resources.
• Organize ad-hoc training to meet development requirements.
• Monitor and report on global delivery and assessment alongside Product Development, to uphold high standards of consistency and validity.
• Work with the Customer Service team to ensure smooth administration, including applications, allocations, bookings, preparation, results, certificates, and record management.
• Work with relevant stakeholders to promote and successfully deliver any changes to the commercial model.

Developing existing and new programmes

• Identify global trends and educators' needs and report back to Product Development on new products that would support the global Educator network.
• Support Product Development in their development of products and resources with current and future WSET offerings in all categories and languages.
• Conduct testing and run pilots to ensure content meets student needs and WSET standards.
• Work with the WSET Product Development team to ensure access to training for a pool of WSET trainers and assessors ensuring volume and location meets global needs for delivery.

Teaching and Learning

• Deliver ETP and other educator training both in person and online.
• Teach WSET qualifications for WSET School.
• Support WSET/ WSET School events as and when required.

Management of ET team

Supporting their development and working to WSET People Team’s guidelines.

Key Relationships

• Product: Work with The Product Development Team who owns the Educator Training portfolio, to ensure assessment standards are maintained, identify further product opportunities, and content updates to meet the needs of Educators.
• Operations: Work with WSET operations team & Customer Service Team who will be administering online classroom and course set up.
• WSET School: Work with WSET School for delivery of ETP and WSET courses and events.

Person Specification

Essential

• Leadership and Vision: Ability to inspire, motivate, and lead a team towards a common vision. Strategic mindset to develop and communicate a compelling vision for educator development aligned with WSET's mission. Experience managing a team and supporting their development.
• Educational Expertise and creativity: Creativity to innovate and develop educational programmes that align with global educational needs. Understanding the best educational practices and the ability to apply them in programme development.
• Product knowledge: Holds highest WSET qualifications in at least one or more of the categories of wine, spirits or sake and certified WSET educator or equivalent. Experience in teaching WSET qualifications. Ability to teach up to the highest levels and cross category preferred. Clear evidence of wider CPD to develop subject knowledge, undertaking of further training and learning.
• Relationship Building and communication: Strong collaboration skills to work with internal and external stakeholders. Clear and concise communication skills to articulate strategies, expectations, and updates.
• Operational and budget management: Ability to proactively manage trainer and assessor resources globally to meet delivery needs. Strong organizational skills to oversee programme administration, ensuring smooth operations. Proficiency in developing and managing budgets, with ability to track and report on performance. Commercially aware and able to ensure financial viability of courses.

Desired

• Teaching qualification (Level 5 or above).
• Management qualification or equivalent.
• Completed WSET’s Education Training Programme.
• Experience with course development for classroom, online and blended delivery.

UK Benefits

• Annual Leave - 27 days pa + public holidays, increases with service; ability to buy/sell 5 days.
• Pension (Generous options available after three months).
• Health insurance (after three months): Vitality scheme - post probation - Access to virtual GP appointments, Rewards include Caffe Nero drinks, Cinema Tickets, Apple Watch, Cash Back on Waitrose shopping, 75% off at Champneys, 6 month subscription with HeadSpace, Discounted Weight Watchers membership and gyms, Smoking Cessation day worth £300 and half price health screens.
• Eye voucher scheme.
• Food and drink in the office: Nespresso coffee makers and a range of other drinks, fruit, cereals, soups.
• Season ticket loan scheme.
• EAP: 24/7 confidential help and support from trained counsellors and advisors.
• Death in service: 4x annual salary paid to nominees with associated bereavement support for family.
• Enhanced family friendly leave and pay.
• Cycle2Work scheme.
• Development - WSET's in-house training and qualifications in Wines, Spirits, Sake and Beer as well as other professional development opportunities.