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About the job:
The Learning Design Officer supports the design, development, delivery and continuous improvement of high-quality digital and blended learning experiences across ETF’s professional development portfolio.
Working under the direction of the Learning Design Manager, the postholder will contribute to the creation of engaging, evidence-informed courses and resources, ensuring they align with ETF’s professional standards, sector needs and organisational priorities. The role will focus on the practical application of instructional design principles, supporting the development of learner-centred content within the Learning Management System (LMS) and wider digital platforms.
The Learning Design Officer will play a key role in enhancing the learner experience, maintaining course quality, and supporting the delivery of scalable, accessible and impactful professional development. This aligns with the wider team remit to ensure ETF’s online offer is high-quality, up-to-date and user-focused.
Learning design, instructional design and product development
Support the design and development of online, blended and asynchronous learning programmes and resources.
Apply instructional design principles to create engaging, inclusive and accessible learning content (e.g. structuring learning pathways, defining learning outcomes, sequencing activities).
Develop digital learning materials including scripts, storyboards, assessments, multimedia briefs and interactive content.
Work with external stakeholders and associates to ensure all content aligns with ETF Professional Standards, CPD principles and evidence-informed pedagogical practice.
Learning Management System (LMS) and Digital Delivery
Build, upload and maintain courses within ETF’s Learning Management System(s), ensuring content is accurate, functional and user-friendly.
Support course updates and annual amends cycles to ensure content remains current and relevant.
Test and quality assure learning materials, including functionality, accessibility and learner journey.
Support improvements to user experience through feedback, analytics and user testing.
Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement
Contribute to course quality assurance processes, including peer review and feedback cycles.
Use learner feedback, engagement data and evaluation findings to support course enhancements.
Maintain high standards of accuracy, consistency and usability across all learning products.
Support pilot testing, focus groups and user testing activities where required.
Stakeholder and SME Engagement
Work collaboratively with subject matter experts (SMEs), associates, suppliers, trainers and internal teams to co-design high-quality learning content.
Support stakeholder engagement activities to gather insight and feedback that informs course design.
Contribute to effective communication with internal and external partners involved in content development.
Project Support
Support the Learning Design Manager in project delivery, including planning, tracking and coordinating development activity.
Manage allocated workstreams or modules within larger course development projects.
Ensure tasks are delivered on time and to agreed quality standards.
Systems and digital platforms
Support the effective use and continuous improvement of the LMS and other learning systems
Ensure content, user experience and data management processes are optimised
Contribute to wider organisational developments in digital infrastructure and learning technologies
Strategic contribution
Contribute to the development of ETF’s wider learning and digital strategy
Keep abreast of developments in digital pedagogy, edtech and FE policy, ensuring ETF remains at the forefront of practice
Undertake other duties commensurate with the role
Key relationships
This role will work closely with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including:
Internal stakeholders
The postholder will work closely with:
Learning Design Specialist
Professional Development and Delivery colleagues (Trainers, Programme Leads, Product teams)
Research and Evaluation team (for evidence-informed practice and impact insights)
Digital / IT teams supporting LMS platforms
These relationships are essential to ensure the learning design function is integrated across ETF and contributes to a coherent product offer .
External stakeholders
The postholder will engage with:
Suppliers and sector specialists
Delivery partners, Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and associates
FE providers and practitioners contributing to content design or testing
Sector bodies / stakeholders, e.g. Department for Education
These relationships are critical to ensure ETF’s online learning offer remains relevant, credible and responsive to sector needs.
The ethical use of Generative AI at ETF
At ETF, we embrace generative artificial intelligence (AI) with a strong ethical foundation, using it to unlock new levels of productivity, creativity, and impact across all roles.
We believe AI is not just a tool - it’s a powerful partner in helping you work smarter, save time, and focus on what matters most. That’s why we expect every employee to use Co-Pilot actively and routinely as part of their daily workflow. Together, we can harness the full potential of AI to elevate our work and shape a future where innovation thrives.
As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, you’ll be expected to demonstrate how you’re using generative AI in your work through performance assessments. If you need support or training, please reach out to one of our AI Champions - they’re here to help you build confidence and unlock the full value of these tools.
Your profile
The successful candidate will have:
Experience, skills, and knowledge
Experience of designing and developing innovative online learning and digital content in a range of formats
Understanding of instructional design, digital pedagogy and user experience
Ability to translate complex subject matter into engaging, accessible learning materials
Understanding of how AI can be used to support and drive innovative learning design
Experience of working with digital learning platforms (e.g. LMS) or content authoring tools
Significant experience of LMS platforms and other community collaboration and e-learning authoring tools
Good organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality assurance
Experience of managing the work of SMEs and associates to deliver quality outputs
Excellent written and verbal communication
Ability to work collaboratively with internal teams and external stakeholders
Personal qualities
Demonstrate commitment to the ETF’s values
Demonstrate a commitment and understanding of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion across all areas of work
Ability to reach decisions and judgments based upon balanced assessment of the technical, business and human risk factors involved.
Collegiality in working as part of an effective high performing team
Information
This is a maternity cover role offered on a part-time basis (0.6 FTE or 3 days a week). The role is offered on a fixed term contract basis for 11 months. The postholder is welcome to use our central London office. If this is preferred then a £1,000 per year annual London Allowance is offered (pro-rata) to support commuting costs. Otherwise the role can be offered fully remote.
Benefits:
Employee Benefits
Generous holiday entitlement (30 days) – including 1.5 days to be taken over Christmas which gives you 3 days off over that period
8 Bank Holidays
London Allowance of £1,000 per annum (if eligible, for bands 4-7) for hybrid working London office-based staff to support commuting costs
Pension Scheme provided by Aviva (Employer = 6% / Employee 2%)
Life Assurance (4 x basic salary upon death)
Group Income Protection
SimplyHealth Cash Plan (Enables you to get reimbursed £100s for optical, dental, physio and other day-to-day health costs, plus health and wellbeing discounts (for all directly employed staff)
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and Help@Hand
Staff Training and Development (Elevate)
Work-life balance policies / Flexible Working / TOIL
Volunteering leave – 5 days in total (3 days paid and 2 days unpaid)
Generous sick pay
Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
CPD Opportunities
Cycle to Work Scheme
BHN Extra Discounts – Great savings on over 100 brands
About us
Every day, educators and leaders across the Further Education (FE) and Skills sector inspire curiosity, drive progress and empower learners to achieve their potential. The Education Training Foundation (ETF) is here to champion the vital role of the FE and Skills workforce. Working in partnership, we drive professionalism by setting the professional standards for the quality of teaching and leadership across the sector. We provide educators with a pathway of professional development throughout their careers, champion inclusion and enable sector change for a thriving FE and Skills sector. Together, we are transforming lives and opportunities for learners aged 14 and above.