Curriculum Manager Creative Industries
Location: Sunderland
Salary: £44,699 to £47,421 per annum
Post Type: Full Time
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 23.59 hours BST on Monday 04 May 2026
Reference: 0264-26
About The College
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 provides bespoke education pathways to help students achieve their future career goals.
About The Candidate
We are looking for an inspiring, resilient and highly organised curriculum manager who can motivate others, maintain high standards and drive continuous improvement within Creative Industries. The successful candidate will be a strong people manager with the confidence and transformational leadership style to lead staff through day‑to‑day operational demands while keeping students at the heart of decision making. They will be committed to high quality teaching, learning and assessment, able to work positively with colleagues, industry partners and external stakeholders, and passionate about developing an ambitious, inclusive and destination‑driven curriculum.
This person will be a Changemaker, championing positive improvement in curriculum quality, student experience and team performance. They will champion innovation in teaching and learning, promote high expectations, and create a culture where staff and students are supported to thrive, progress and succeed.
About The Role
This leadership role is responsible for the operational management of the Creative Industries curriculum area, the leadership of teaching, learning and assessment, and the line management of staff. The postholder will lead curriculum planning, course review, quality assurance, student progress and team performance, while ensuring awarding body requirements, college policies and safeguarding responsibilities are fully met.
The role offers broad leadership responsibility across curriculum planning, quality improvement, staff development and stakeholder engagement, and opportunities to develop expertise in quality systems, curriculum innovation, digital approaches to teaching and learning, and leadership within FE and HE related provision.
Role Responsibilities
* Lead day‑to‑day operational management of the Creative Industries curriculum area.
* Manage curriculum planning, course design, review and validation to meet college processes and awarding organization requirements.
* Lead and quality assure teaching, learning and assessment, including schemes of work, assessment planning and promoting innovative practice.
* Line‑manage curriculum staff: performance management, deployment, timetabling, communication, support and absence cover.
* Produce and oversee quality improvement documentation: self‑assessment, quality improvement plans, internal quality assurance and inspection readiness.
* Maintain accurate records and reports, support student progress and behaviour, and ensure compliance with safeguarding, Prevent, health and safety, equality and college policies.
Qualifications
* Appropriate degree or equivalent.
* Level 2 English and maths qualification.
* Up‑to‑date continuous professional development.
* Minimum Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training or equivalent, or commitment to complete within the first two years.
Essential Skills & Experience
* Recent and relevant experience in Further Education and/or Higher Education.
* Experience in curriculum development, innovation and improving the quality of teaching, learning and assessment.
* Experience of successfully leading and managing a team or significant curriculum area.
* Experience of quality assurance processes, including internal quality assurance, self‑assessment, quality improvement planning and liaison with awarding bodies.
* Evidence of collecting, analysing and acting on data accurately to improve performance.
* Strong leadership, communication and organisational skills, with the ability to motivate staff, manage underperformance and meet demanding targets.
* Up‑to‑date knowledge of FE curriculum developments, qualification frameworks, accreditation arrangements and teaching, learning and assessment practice.
* Ability to support staff and students effectively through guidance, intervention and day‑to‑day solution‑focused operational management.
* Commitment to safeguarding, Prevent, equality, diversity, British Values, health and safety, and student‑centred practice.
Desirable Skills & Experience
* Experience of working in the Creative Industry sector.
* Understanding of Ofsted review methodology for the FE skills sector.
* Understanding of Higher Education review.
* Experience of effective performance improvement, organisational change and quality improvement with positive impact.
* Experience of managing a budget and meeting financial targets.
* Experience of working with stakeholders such as employers, parents, students and awarding organisations.
* Fellow of the HEA, where relevant to HE provision.
* Up‑to‑date knowledge of current developments in Higher Education.
Benefits
* Generous holiday allowance ranging between 35-48 days per year, plus public holidays (excluding Term Time Only contracts).
* Generous family leave and flexible working options (dependent on role).
* LGPS or Teacher Pension Scheme – depending on role.
* Access to myLifestyle benefits platform providing retail discounts and more.
* Dental, eye care and health cash plans.
* Extensive wellbeing support through a digital Wellbeing Hub covering physical, mental and financial wellbeing.
* Free parking on most campuses.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences. We recognise that diverse perspectives strengthen our teams, and we encourage any individual who is excited about the role and believes they can contribute to apply.
As a Disability Confident Employer, Armed Forces Covenant Member, and with Ofsted Outstanding status, we are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and high‑performing environment.
Due to the nature of this post, an Enhanced Disclosure Check will be required.
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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr