PLEASE NOTE: This is an internal advert and is open to current Oxford Brookes University staff only.
The role
Based at our Headington campus and reporting to the Digital Education Lead, the Learning Design Manager will be responsible for the management and delivery of a high-quality digital learning design support service to meet curriculum priorities and enhance the learner experience. The role will support the implementation of evidence-based approaches to inclusive and accessible learning design principles to ensure a high pedagogical quality across Oxford Brookes’ education portfolio of programmes, modules, short courses and collaborate with university partners as appropriate. The post holder will manage the Learning Design team and collaborate closely with the Digital Education Lead on service improvement and development.
About the team
The Learning Design team together with the Digital Skills team is part of the Digital Education service in the Directorate of Learning Resources. We support a variety of online learning platforms, lead initiatives that shape teaching, learning and assessment and build digital capabilities needed to achieve the University’s 2035 Strategy.
Our work spans digital capabilities and skills development, e-learning systems support and quality assurance, and digital learning design in academic faculties. We work closely with the Oxford Brookes Library to make a consistent offer for our services to the University, and with teams such as IT Services, Oxford Centre for Academic Excellence and Development, Strategic Change to strengthen key digital capabilities across the organisation.
What will I be doing?
As a Learning Design Manager, you will:
● Lead and evaluate a high-quality digital learning design service that supports academic programmes and partnerships.
● Ensure consistent quality standards in digital learning design, including accessibility and alignment with VLE requirements.
● Drive continuous improvement of courses in the VLE, incorporating emerging technologies such as AI.
● Provide learning design support to programme teams through consultancy, workshops, and practical guidance.
● Manage and develop the Learning Design team, supporting workloads and professional development.
● Provide line management, including recruitment, performance, staff development, and resource planning for key initiatives.
● Monitor service performance using data insights and contribute to service development and project planning.
● Collaborate across teams to deliver integrated digital education support, while advising on and implementing effective educational technologies.
The full list of duties of the role is provided in the attached job description document.
What skills do I need?
Essential:
● Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
● Experience of working in an educational setting or a learning design role
● Experience of management or staff supervision
● Experience working with Virtual Learning Environments and digital learning tools and platforms
● Experience of the creation and evaluation of digital learning materials
● Ability to analyse complex problems and develop practical, effective solutions
● Ability to generate ideas and identify opportunities to improve existing processes or ways of working
● Ability to stay motivated and maintain momentum, even in challenging situations
● Ability to set priorities, work collaboratively, and contribute positively to team decision-making.
The full list of essential criteria for this role is provided in the attached job description document.
About the location
Based at our Headington campus, you’ll experience the vibrant campus atmosphere and benefit from our modern office environment. The campus is one mile from the centre of Oxford and is served by regular public transport.
This role supports hybrid working and is typically expected to involve 1–2 days on campus per week, with flexibility based on directorate needs.
Benefits
As an Oxford Brookes employee, you will enjoy a total of a minimum of 25 days holiday, rising with your service, plus 8 Bank Holidays and additional University concessionary Days (approx 5 per year).
We encourage and support hybrid working where the role allows and ensure that you have the necessary equipment to allow you to work flexibly.
We have an extremely competitive Local Government pension scheme with a 19.2% Employer contribution rate, as well as providing all staff with financial education, a comprehensive employee assistance helpline.
We prioritise the well-being of our employees—both physically and mentally, as well as financially. That's why we provide a diverse and comprehensive benefits package to support our team
In addition, all employees have access to:
● Discounted rates for the University sports & gym facilities
● Brookes on-site Nursery.
● Discounted travel options
● TOTUM card discount scheme
● Relocation scheme (for moves over 30 miles)
● Training and development opportunities
● Connected community - Brookes have a wide variety of staff networks which instil a sense of community offering employees a space for support, guidance and friendship making it a vibrant and inclusive place to work.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
At Oxford Brookes, inclusivity is one of our five guiding principles: we take positive steps to create an environment in which we celebrate, value and provide equal opportunity to all. We are committed to recruiting from the widest possible pool and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates who embrace our values, regardless of their background.
As a Disability Confident Employer we guarantee to interview any disabled applicant who meets the essential selection criteria.