Surrey County Council
Curriculum and Learning Manager
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The starting salary for this full-time, permanent position is £55,486 per annum based on 36 hours per week.
We are excited to be recruiting a new Curriculum and Learning Manager to join the fantastic Surrey Adult Learning service, based at Woking Adult Learning Centre.
This role is open to flexible and hybrid working, as a team we split our time between collaborating with colleagues in our centres for 40% of the working week, working with the communities we serve, and working from home.
Our Offer to You
- 26 days’ holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years’ service, plus bank holidays
- Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Up to 5 days of carer’s leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
- Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
- An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
- Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
- A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents
Shape the Future of Adult Learning in Surrey!
We are looking for an exceptional leader to join our senior management team as Curriculum and Learning Manager. This is a strategic role offering the opportunity to influence the future direction of adult learning across Surrey, ensuring learners receive high-quality teaching, learning and support while driving innovation, growth and continuous improvement.
About The Role
Surrey Adult Learning is one of the largest local authority adult education services in the region, delivering over 800 courses through dedicated learning centres, community venues and online learning. We are committed to helping residents develop skills, improve their wellbeing, gain employment, progress in learning and contribute to their communities.
In this role you will lead the strategic planning, development and management of Surrey Adult Learning's curriculum offer, quality assurance arrangements and staff development programmes. You will work collaboratively across the service to ensure provision meets national priorities, local needs and inspection requirements while delivering excellent outcomes for learners and communities.
Your Key Responsibilities
- Leading the strategic development, delivery and quality improvement of the curriculum offer
- Managing a team of senior managers responsible for curriculum delivery, apprenticeships, marketing, communications, partnerships and commercial development
- Driving a culture of excellence in teaching, learning, assessment and customer service
- Building effective partnerships with employers, voluntary organisations, NHS partners, Jobcentre Plus and other stakeholders to maximise opportunities for learners
- Leading on quality assurance, self-assessment and inspection readiness across the service
- Acting as the service's Inspection Nominee, representing Surrey Adult Learning during inspection activity and promoting the service externally
- Acting as the Designated Safeguarding Officer, leading safeguarding practice, compliance and staff development
- Leading the service's approach to equality, diversity, inclusion and Prevent responsibilities
- Supporting financial sustainability through effective use of resources, grant funding and commercial opportunities
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This is an opportunity to make a significant difference to the lives of Surrey residents and shape the future direction of a highly regarded adult learning service. You will join an ambitious, learner-focused organisation with a strong commitment to innovation, inclusion and continuous improvement.
Your Application
We are seeking an inspirational and experienced leader with a strong track record in adult education, skills or further education.
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:
- A degree-level qualification and teaching qualification or demonstrable equivalent professional expertise and experience
- Significant and successful senior management experience within the adult learning or skills sector
- Proven expertise in curriculum leadership, quality improvement and performance management, with the ability to lead, motivate and develop high-performing teams
- Experience of leading organisations through inspection activity, including acting as, or working closely with, an Inspection Nominee, together with strong knowledge of adult education funding, quality frameworks and regulatory requirements
- A successful track record of delivering organisational objectives and improving outcomes for learners
- Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-management skills, with experience of developing effective partnerships and collaborative relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
- Strong understanding of safeguarding, equality, diversity and health and safety responsibilities
The role holder will need to have the willingness and ability to travel around the county to meet the demands of the role.
An enhanced DBS ‘Disclosure and Barring Service’ check (formerly known as CRB) will be required for this role.
To apply, we request that you submit a CV and answer the following 3 questions:
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- Please describe your experience of leading curriculum development and quality improvement within an adult learning, skills or further education setting. We would like to hear about what actions you took, what challenges you overcame, and what measurable impact this had on learner outcomes, teaching quality or organisational performance? (500 words max)
- Please review the Surrey Adult Learning offer on our website and provide feedback on your suggested next steps in developing this curriculum further. (500 words max)
- Please tell us about why you think you would be a great candidate for this role? (500 words max)
If you are a strategic leader with a passion for adult learning, quality improvement and creating opportunities for communities to thrive, we would love to hear from you.
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 23.08.2026 with interviews planned to follow.
Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description and our Life at Surrey Handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.
We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.
Contact Us
Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. Please contact Jo McSherrie via email at jo.mcsherrie@surreycc.gov.uk.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.
Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council.
Our Commitment
We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum shortlisting criteria as displayed on the advert, we guarantee you an interview.
Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we’re committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.
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