Higher Education (HE) Curriculum Innovation & Quality Manager (37 Hours)

Salary: Fixed point £47,324

ABOUT THE COLLEGE 

Lakes College is a technical vocational Further Education College delivering education and training to full-time and part-time learners and apprentices to degree level. We have a vibrant campus in West Cumbria with state of the art vocational workshops and resources, including the National College for Nuclear Northern Hub.

Our mission and purpose are to:

 ‘Enable people to recognise and develop their potential’.

We are a people business and our mission applies as equally to our staff team as to our learners and employers’. We are a Good college and have ambition to be Outstanding by together developing our culture, standards and expectations. We encourage innovation, collaboration and reflection to lead to new ideas and methods. We gather, evaluate and use data to drive operational improvement.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is an exciting new leadership position that offers a unique opportunity to shape, strengthen and grow the Higher Education (HE) offer at Lakes College. As the HE Curriculum Innovation & Quality Manager, you will act as the college’s central expert for HE quality assurance, academic standards, curriculum development and regulatory compliance. This is a strategic, future‑focused role that combines operational oversight with institution‑wide influence.

You will provide the vision, leadership and specialist expertise needed to ensure our HE provision meets – and exceeds – the expectations of the Office for Students (OfS), validating partners, awarding bodies and internal quality frameworks. Working closely with curriculum Heads of Department, Assistant Principals, the TLA team and senior leaders, you will drive a culture of enhancement, evidence‑informed practice and innovation in HE delivery.

This is both a quality leadership role and a curriculum development role. As HE at Lakes College continues to expand, you will play a pivotal part in shaping new programme design, supporting validation processes, modernising pedagogical approaches and ensuring HE staff have the skills, confidence and knowledge to deliver consistently excellent outcomes for students.

📌You will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of HE at Lakes College by:

HE Strategy & Leadership

• Lead the implementation of the college’s HE strategy, driving sustainable growth and curriculum development across departments.
• Act as the central expert for HE quality, regulation and innovation, advising senior leaders and academic teams.

Quality Assurance & Regulatory Compliance

• Oversee all HE quality cycles, including annual monitoring, external examiner processes, programme reviews and evidence for regulatory activity.
• Ensure full compliance with OfS, QAA, validating partners and awarding body requirements.

Curriculum Innovation

• Lead modern, industry‑aligned HE curriculum design informed by research and sector best practice.
• Support teams in adopting innovative teaching methods such as flipped learning, active learning and digital pedagogies.
• Coordinate approval and validation processes for new programmes.

Teaching, Learning & Assessment Enhancement

• Support high standards in HE teaching and scholarly practice through learning walks, visits and structured reviews.
• Promote consistency in assessment, academic integrity and robust moderation practices.

External Engagement

• Manage relationships with validating partners, awarding bodies and external examiners.
• Lead preparations for external audits, reviews and inspections.

Staff Development

• Deliver HE‑focused CPD and coach academic staff to build capacity in curriculum development and quality excellence.

HE Data & Performance Management

• Analyse HE performance measures including continuation, attainment and student voice.
• Lead data‑driven improvement planning across programme areas.

Student Experience

• Champion the HE student voice and support departments to embed belonging, active learning and real‑world relevance.

The successful candidate will hold a first degree or equivalent qualification and a recognised teaching qualification, with clear evidence of delivering high‑quality teaching practice. They will bring substantial knowledge of Higher Education curriculum design, assessment models and qualification frameworks, alongside proven experience in leading or coordinating HE provision within a Further Education environment or a similar academic setting.

This is a role for someone who thrives in a collaborative, multi‑disciplinary environment and enjoys influencing across boundaries. You will work closely with academic, quality, data and leadership teams to create the conditions for sustainable HE growth and excellence.

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Iain Glendinning – Vice Principal on 07785763291

**If sufficient response is received this post could be closed earlier than the specified closing date, please apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application is considered. **

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU!

• Generous annual leave – 40 days plus 8 days bank holiday plus 2 discretionary days 
• Local Government pension Scheme/ Teachers Pension Scheme Available. 
• A dedicated and friendly team of professionals who are keen to develop and learn. 
• Excellent CPD opportunities to grow and development through mentorship and coaching. 
• Free onsite parking. 
• Subsidised onsite restaurant. 
• A cycle scheme tech scheme and discounted gym membership. 
• Fantastic facilities to resource our ability to teach our students.