Head of Training and Education

Are you ready to lead transformative education and training programmes for the UK's academic workforce? University and College Union has an exciting Head of Training and Education opportunity!

Reference Number: HOTE1

Salary: £72,414p.a (inclusive of London Allowance)

Hours:  35 per week

Contract: Permanent and Full Time

Location: Carlow Street, London NW1 7LH

Closing Date:  Thursday 20 August at 10.00 am

About Us:

The University and College Union (UCU) represents over 120,000 academics, lecturers, trainers, instructors, researchers, managers, administrators, computer staff, librarians and postgraduates in universities, colleges, prisons, adult education and training organisations across the UK. We also have members in the private sector, for example in private training agencies and language schools, as well as members working on a freelance basis. Students training to teach in post-school education also belong to UCU.

Head of Training and Education – About the role:

UCU is looking for an exceptional and inspiring individual to lead its Training and Education team. This is a key post for an experienced and ambitious individual to be responsible for managing programmes for both members and UCU activists. The post holder will play a key role in establishing and setting the trajectory of UCU’s education programme.

Head of Training and Education – Main Responsibilities:

- Lead the strategic direction of UCU's national education and training programme in line with organisational and industrial priorities

- Develop national training policy including monitoring and delivery of standards

- Assess learning needs by engaging with branches, regions and stakeholders to prioritise provision

- Design and improve a high-quality learning offer using digital, blended and innovative delivery methods

- Develop and maintain relationships with external stakeholders including the TUC, colleges, tutors and other unions

- Oversee training delivery in response to branch, regional and national demand

- Manage the training budget to ensure spending remains within fiscal boundaries

Head of Training and Education – You:

- Educated to GCSE level or equivalent in maths and English

- Experience working in a trade union, not-for-profit organisation or similar environment

- Understanding of trade union education aims, adult learning methodology and the union learning agenda

- Detailed knowledge of designing, organising and delivering training at strategic level

- Proven experience designing and delivering training programmes using virtual and blended learning methods

- Proven track record delivering programmes or projects within an agreed budget

Further information

We welcome applications from any candidate but are particularly keen to receive applications from women and global majority candidates; if this is you and you are interested in the post, we invite you to join an online briefing on Tuesday 11 August from 2pm. If you’d like to attend, please see the advert on the vacancies page of our website for details.

Benefits:

- Supportive Family Policies: Embrace family life with enhanced Maternity, Adoption, Paternity, and Shared Parental Leave schemes

- Health and Well-being Support: Access to confidential counselling 24/7 through our Employee Assistance Programme; advice and face-to-face intervention  from via our Physiotherapy Advice Line; healthcare assessment

- Flexible Working: Take advantage of our Flexitime scheme, allowing you to tailor your work hours within our Work Life Balance policy

- Financial Assistance: Benefit from being enrolled in the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), childcare support, interest-free season ticket loans, and assistance with the cost of eyesight testing and glasses for DSE use

- Training and Development: Elevate your skills with tailored training, developmental support, and access to live and on demand courses available through our online training platform

Note: working arrangements:

UCU requires its employees to work from their office/in the field for at least 60% of their working week. They may apply to work from home for the remaining 40% but UCU cannot guarantee that this will be agreed.

Diversity & Inclusion Monitoring:

We need your support to make sure our employees come from a variety of backgrounds, so we especially welcome applications from disadvantaged communities.

Equal Opportunities

UCU is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

We are happy to accept applications in alternative formats from applicants who, for reasons of disability, may find it difficult to fill in our standard form. Please see our website.

Closing date for applications: Thursday 20 August at 10am.

Interview date: Tuesday 22 September 2026

To submit your application for this exciting Head of Training and Education opportunity, please click ‘Apply’