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Curriculum Manager Creative Industries
Creative Arts
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 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 prioritise 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.
Taking Teaching Further & Additional Incentives
If you’re making the move into further education teaching, you may be eligible for the Taking Teaching Further (TTF) programme a funded route to help industry professionals retrain as FE teachers.
In addition, for roles in high-need subjects or regions you may also benefit from the government’s targeted retention incentive (formerly “levelling-up premium”) payments, worth up to £6,000 for eligible teachers in their first five years and teaching certain shortage subjects.
Please note eligibility for both TTF and the Targeted Retention Incentive varies by role, subject area and provider, they do not apply to every vacancy.
Find out more about both initiatives through the links below.
- Taking Teaching Further – Taking Teaching Further
- Targeted Retention Incentive – Targeted Retention Incentive
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, our industry partners and external stakeholders, and passionate about developing an ambitious, inclusive and destination driven curriculum.
This person will be a Changemaker by leading 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 is a key leadership role within Creative Industries, responsible for the operational management of the 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.
This is a great opportunity for someone who wants to shape and lead a creative curriculum offer, influence standards across a team, and make a visible impact on student outcomes and experiences. The role offers broad leadership responsibility across curriculum planning, quality improvement, staff development and stakeholder engagement, making it an excellent progression opportunity for an ambitious middle leader. The successful candidate will also have opportunities to further develop expertise in quality systems, curriculum innovation, digital approaches to teaching and learning, and leadership within FE and HE related provision.
Role Responsibilities
- Lead the day to day operational management of the Creative Industries curriculum area to deliver agreed targets and high quality outcomes.
- Manage curriculum planning, course design, review and validation in line with college processes and awarding organisation requirements.
- Lead and quality assure teaching, learning and assessment, including schemes of work, assessment planning and the promotion of innovative practice.
- Line manage curriculum staff, including performance management, deployment, timetabling, communication, staff support and absence cover.
- Produce and oversee quality improvement documentation, including 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 year
Essential Skills & Experience
- Recent and relevant experience in Further Education and/or Higher Education, including curriculum development and innovation
- Experience of improving the quality of teaching, learning and assessment and raising standards of student experience, progress and destinations
- Experience of successfully leading and managing a team and/or a significant aspect of the curriculum
- 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
- Experience and 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 that demonstrates positive impact
- Experience of effectively managing a budget and meeting financial targets
- Experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders, including 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
What’s in it for you?
Join EPNE and you’ll be part of a culture that prioritises your development and wellbeing, which is why all employees receive an extensive benefits package.
- Enjoy a 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 Pensions Scheme – depending on role
- 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.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion
At Education Partnership North East (EPNE), we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences. We know that diverse perspectives strengthen our teams to enhance the education and support we provide to our learners and communities.
We recognise that talented individuals may not always follow a traditional career path and may hesitate to apply unless they meet every requirement. If you are excited about the role and believe you can make a positive contribution, we encourage you to apply.
As a Disability Confident Employer and Armed Forces Covenant Member, and with Ofsted Outstanding status across all campuses, we are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and high-performing environment where everyone can thrive.
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 Associate Principal Sheree Rymer sheree.rymer@sunderlandcollege.ac.uk should you wish to have an informal chat about the role.
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