Strategic Director of Education (Adults) - Maternity Cover
Department: Principalship
Location: Liverpool
Compensation: £77,999 per year
Job Type: Fixed Term Contract until October 2026 (Maternity Cover)
Application Deadline: 26 November 2025
Overview
The Strategic Director of Education (Adults) is a key strategic role, leading the implementation of a research‑informed post‑19 pedagogy and andragogy across the college, drawing from international best practice while meeting regional and national priorities. The post provides expertise in curriculum design and implementation that turns disadvantage to advantage for adult students, delivering ‘The Liverpool Way’ into every aspect of the curriculum and learning space, removing barriers to engagement and learning through targeted, insight‑based interventions and wrap‑around schemes of support. The role collaborates with key stakeholders, employers, industry, and curriculum trailblazers, enhances the knowledge and skills of staff and students, and develops the adult curriculum offer. It also leads the application of blended learning approaches to support catch‑up learning and challenge all learners. The Director is a supportive member of the Strategic Leadership Team, deputising for the Vice Principal Curriculum Development and Innovation and supporting College Directors, Heads of Faculty, and Deans of Academic Studies and Higher Education.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the College’s strategic and operational delivery of adult education across all College curriculum areas, with due account of the College’s overall strategic plan and the social, economic, and educational context of the Liverpool City Region.
* Lead and develop the College’s pedagogical approach to post‑19 delivery, ensuring it is research informed, drawn from international best practice and adapted to different types of learners across the College by age, vocation, background or need.
* Ensure the effective planning, development and delivery of a diverse and responsive adult curriculum which responds to new and emerging industry practice and technologies and effectively meets student, employer and key stakeholder demand.
* Lead the planning, development and introduction of curriculum areas and delivery models new to the College, including, for example, those funded within the National Skills Fund, ESOL learner alumni programmes, provision specifically developed to meet the needs of employers, and programmes starting throughout each academic year for individuals looking to upskill or reskill.
* Support and promote the College’s EDI strategy, translating this into strategic and operational actions that strengthen the approach and deliver meaningful accomplishments within adult education, developing learners and staff as advocates and allies.
* Ensure high expectations, achievement and progression are effectively promoted and measured throughout the learner journey for all students, including the most disadvantaged and those with learning difficulties and / or disabilities, ensuring the College meets the strategic goal of turning disadvantage to advantage.
* Lead the development and delivery of innovative and inspirational practice across adult education, working with other leaders to secure ground‑breaking partnerships and implement new ways of working, including pedagogical best practice and interdisciplinary projects both generally, and specifically for post‑19 curriculum.
* Contribute to the College’s strategic and business planning processes to ensure efficiency and high performance in adult education and support the development of 2, 3 and 5 year plans which are informed by industry expectations and an expert understanding of upcoming knowledge and skill requirements across Liverpool City Region priority areas.
* Drive high expectations and high performance to secure the College’s position as ‘best in class’ in both curriculum delivery and support for adult learners.
* Provide advice and input to the Strategic Leadership Team and College Executive on regional and national strategies and policies related to post‑19 curriculum design, Teaching, Learning and Assessment, and delivery.
* Develop and support strategic mechanisms that ensure individuals and teams within adult education are developed and challenged to secure the best possible student experience that leads to a positive ‘next step’ and ‘future steps’ for the learner within the framework of higher education, further education, training or employment.
* Engage in the clear, timely and robust self‑assessment of quality across the College, particularly adult education, through proactive participation in quality assurance and improvement measures and represent the College in inspections and external audit processes.
* Work closely with all Directors to ensure that the curriculum supports students’ knowledge and skills beyond the academic, technical or vocational, through the development and effective implementation of a wide range of personal development and progression opportunities linked to building confident and resilient students.
Essential Criteria
* Proven ability to develop robust and research‑informed pedagogical approaches in post‑19 curriculum that support all learners to succeed and thrive as individuals.
* Proven, consistent delivery of success as the accountable person for improving student outcomes over consecutive years as the leader of a curriculum or cross‑college department.
* Relevant qualifications and / or experience.
* Professional or teaching qualification.
* Good understanding of Adult OFSTED, SAR processes and quality inspection regimes, including successful experience of leading an inspection aspect.
* Robust knowledge of post‑19 curriculum intent and implementation strategies and associated regional and national expectations and policies.
* Robust knowledge of the National Skills Fund and associated regional and national expectations and policies.
* Robust knowledge of research‑informed approaches to addressing disadvantage and supporting adult learners to succeed.
* Ability to lead use of diagnostic tools and effective strategies in identifying learners’ starting points and needs to support personalised progression over the lifetime of the learner.
* Proven ability to develop and lead on cross‑college strategies, establishing credibility with a wide range of colleagues as part of an effective matrix management approach.
* Proven ability to challenge, mentor & coach – a developer of a high‑performance culture, intolerant of underperformance and a track record of securing buy‑in and support through constructive challenge.
* Ability to engage and influence a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders in order to develop and successfully lead research‑informed employability strategies which meet the needs of different cohorts of adult learners.
* Ability to influence internal and external stakeholders regarding the development and implementation of adult‑specific pedagogical models / andragogy.
* Resilient and comfortable with ambiguity – ability to operate under pressure in a fast‑paced, evolving environment, and to support and inspire others to do the same.
* A positive role model and the ability to be a positive ambassador for the College.
* Innovative, creative – a critical thinker who is able to adopt a growth mindset that supports the College’s aspirations around systems leadership and continuous improvement with regards to the end‑to‑end student experience.
* Committed to own continuous professional development – focused on the very best in pedagogy, a thorough understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion in action and an openness to critical and constructive feedback.
* Willingness & ability to engage with current technologies and embrace diverse and evolving technologies & pedagogy to ensure a modern and effective student experience, with a particular focus upon adult learners and curriculum.
Benefits
* Generous holiday allowance – 40 days annual holiday allowance, plus 1 annual wellbeing day.>
* Pension Scheme – Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions of up to 20.20%.
* Employee Benefits Platform – Access to a one‑stop hub for discounts at supermarkets, fashion, tech, travel, cinema, leisure and more; includes Cycle to Work Scheme and salary‑sacrifice options.
* Health and Wellbeing – Health Assured Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) 24/7, confidential counselling, online wellbeing portal, free eye tests, free flu vaccinations.
* Travel – Interest‑free loans for annual travel passes from Merseytravel and Merseyrail.
* Flexible Working – Flexible working options to support work‑life balance.
* Professional Development – Formal and informal learning opportunities to sharpen skills and accelerate career.
* College Facilities – Free access to sports and fitness facilities, discounted hair and beauty treatments, Staff discounts at Academy Restaurant.
Closing Statement
This role may close earlier than the advertised deadline if we receive sufficient applications. Early submission is strongly encouraged.
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