Sunderland College has been delivering highly successful courses for more than 20 years and is one of the largest providers of post-16 education in the North East with approximately 14,300 students.
The College has two campuses across the city of Sunderland, offering a wide range of academic and vocational provision for school leavers and adults. The College aims to develop and positively shape lives, communities, and the economy through teaching, learning and development of skills. Our students consistently achieve outstanding results and Sunderland College has been ranked in the top 25% in the country for student achievement rates. In October 2024, we were ranked as Ofsted outstanding, and we are proud of our diverse student and staff community that provide our students with bespoke education pathways to help them achieve their future career goals.
Please see the following link to our 2024 Ofsted Report, in which we were graded as being Outstanding across all areas -Ofsted-Report-Outstanding
Our Journey & Values
As an employer, we prioritize cultivating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, where our staff can thrive and grow. We recognize that our employees are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to investing in their professional development and overall wellbeing.
About the Candidate
Please write a short statement highlighting the qualities we’re looking for in this person (soft skills), linking this to our company values where possible.
About You
You are a highly resilient and visionary leader with a proven track record of transforming already successful areas into centres of excellence. You bring energy, clarity, and a strategic mindset to everything you do, thriving in fast-paced, high-performing environments. With outstanding people skills, you effortlessly inspire and empower teams, cultivate a culture of ambition, and drive continuous improvement at every level.
You will be leading curriculum areas from Level 1 through to Level 6 in Esports, Games Design, and Computing—areas of strength and innovation that are primed for even greater achievement. You will bring the emotional intelligence and adaptability to lead diverse teams while balancing the operational demands of curriculum leadership. Your leadership style is collaborative, future-focused, and aligned with our mission to shape lives, communities, and the economy.
As a Changemaker, you will be instrumental in ensuring that these dynamic subject areas continue to meet the evolving needs of industry, higher education, and learners. Your work will have a tangible impact on student success, staff development, and the strategic direction of our digital and creative curriculum.
You model our values of excellence, inclusion, and ambition in everything you do—and your commitment to delivering high-quality, learner-centred education ensures that every student leaves with the skills, confidence, and vision to thrive in the modern world.
About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity to lead and further develop an already high-performing and award-winning area within an Ofsted-rated Outstanding college and faculty. As Curriculum Manager for Esports, Games Design, and Computing, you will be responsible for shaping and driving provision from Level 1 to Level 6 across our Bede and City campuses, as well as within specialist centres such as HICSA and The Place.
You will lead a well-established, dynamic team of educators and support staff, fostering innovation, collaboration, and excellence. This is not a static role—it's a platform for a transformational leader who wants to make an impact in an environment where creativity, digital futures, and technical innovation thrive.
The role offers exciting opportunities to work closely with industry partners, ensuring that our curriculum remains cutting-edge, relevant, and aligned to sector needs. You will champion new and emerging technologies, and help shape learner pathways that lead directly into employment, entrepreneurship, or further study.
Career development is deeply embedded in the role, with access to high-level CPD, leadership coaching, and engagement with national and international sector networks. This is a rare chance to join a forward-thinking institution, influence future-facing curriculum, and play a key role in the continued transformation of digital education in the North East.
Role Responsibilities
Using no more than 6 bullet points, please outline the daily tasks and responsibilities the candidate can expect to perform in this position.
Lead and manage the delivery of Esports, Games Design, and Computing programmes across Levels 1–6, ensuring high standards and alignment with College strategy and quality expectations.
Inspire and manage a dynamic teaching team across Bede, City Campus, HICSA and The Place, promoting innovative pedagogy and effective performance management.
Drive forward outstanding learning opportunities by designing and developing a future-focused curriculum shaped by learner need, digital innovation, and employer engagement.
Champion strategic partnerships with industry leaders, awarding bodies, and stakeholders to ensure curriculum relevance, work-related learning, and progression pathways.
Oversee quality assurance processes including internal verification, curriculum planning, and Ofsted readiness, producing robust Self-Assessment Reports and Quality Improvement Plans.
Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration and academic excellence in an Ofsted-rated Outstanding college and faculty.
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Qualifications
Using bullet points please list only essential qualifications. If a teacher qualification is desirable but not mandatory it doesn’t need to be listed.
A relevant degree or equivalent in a related subject area.
Level 2 qualifications in English and Maths.
A PGCE or relevant teaching qualification.
Evidence of up-to-date Continuous Professional Development (CPD).
Using bullet points please list only essential skills and experience this candidate must have.
Proven recent and relevant experience in Further or Higher Education, including curriculum development, innovation, and improving teaching, learning and assessment quality.
Demonstrated ability to raise standards in student experience, progress, and destinations.
Successful experience in leading and managing a team or curriculum area.
Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to inspire and motivate others to achieve excellence.
Experience of using data and quality assurance processes to drive performance improvement.
In-depth understanding of Ofsted frameworks and inspection methodology within the FE sector.
Knowledge of current FE / HE curriculum developments, funding arrangements, and qualification frameworks.
Ability to work collaboratively with employers and stakeholders to deliver outstanding learner experiences.
Excellent organisational, time management, and problem-solving skills.
Passion for delivering student-focused education and commitment to safeguarding and equality.
Using bullet points please list only essential skills and experience this candidate must have.
Experience working specifically within the Creative Arts or Digital Industries sectors, although essentially we are looking for a strong leader from any subject background.
Knowledge and understanding of Higher Education review processes and curriculum developments.
Experience of managing budgets and achieving financial efficiency.
A good understanding of destination-driven curriculum design, supporting positive progression into employment or further study.
Knowledge of current developments and innovations in teaching and learning technologies.
Experience supporting student teachers or newly qualified staff.
Understanding of the technical education reforms and wider policy landscape in FE and HE.
Familiarity with working across multiple sites or campuses within a large educational organisation.
What’s in it for you?
Join EPNE and you’ll be part of a culture that prioritizes your development and wellbeing, which is why all employees receive an extensive benefits package.
* Enjoy a generous holiday allowance (35-48 days per year, plus public holidays).
* Generous family leave and flexible working options (dependent on role)
* LGPS or Teacher Pensions Scheme, (dependent on role 15.7% - 23.68%)
* Access to myLifestyle benefits platform providing retail discounts and more.
* We offer dental, eye care & health cash plans.
* Extensive wellbeing support through a digital Wellbeing Hub that offers a broad range of support for physical, mental, and financial wellbeing.
* Free parking on most campuses.
Due to the nature of this post, you will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure Check.
We believe in equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
We are committed to PREVENT and safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.
Please contact Lauren Robinson lauren.robinson@sunderlandcollege.ac.uk should you wish to have an informal chat about the role.
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