Curriculum Lead - Environmental Studies

onlyFE; Lewes; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Teachers’ Pension Scheme

CPD and professional development

Relocation assistance

Staff housing support

Eye tests and wellbeing benefits

Job summary

Plumpton College in Lewes seeks an inspiring leader to drive the Environmental Studies curriculum, designing new courses and enhancing existing provision to deliver outstanding outcomes for students and meet employer needs.

You will embed sustainability across all courses, build partnerships with employers, universities and conservation bodies, and lead a high-performing team of specialist lecturers to raise teaching standards and student progression.

Qualifications

• Degree (or higher) in Environmental Science, Sustainability, Conservation or related subject.
• Proven experience driving curriculum development in an educational setting.
• Confidence with GIS, carbon footprinting and digital tools in environmental science.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams within education.

Responsibilities

• Drive design and development of environmental studies curriculum programmes, introducing new courses and enhancing provision.
• Lead cross-college collaboration to embed sustainability across all courses.
• Build partnerships with employers, universities and conservation bodies.
• Manage and develop a high-performing team of specialist lecturers.
• Lead outreach activities and support student recruitment, enrolment and progression.

Skills

Curriculum development

Leadership

Team leadership

Stakeholder engagement

GIS

Digital tools

Curriculum alignment with industry

Education

Environmental Science degree

Sustainability degree

Related subject (Geography/Science)

Job description

Full Time (37.5 hours per week)

Salary: Up to £46,000 per annum + £4,000 market related enhancement per annum

Closing date: Monday 12th October

Interview date: WC 19th October

Are you ready to be at the forefront of green education and help shape the future of sustainability learning? Do you want to work in a stunning rural setting, surrounded by a working farm, vineyard, and conservation projects? Join a college with strong industry connections and a commitment to innovation, where your passion for sustainability can make a real impact. If this is you, we would love to hear from you.

Plumpton College is one of the country’s leading providers of land-based, food, and environmental education. With our extensive 800ha estate, including working farm, ancient woodland, SSSI landscape and vineyard, we are uniquely positioned to build on the impressive work we have undertaken to improve our biodiversity and sustainability credentials which resulted in us winning a prestigious Green Gown Award last year. As part of our growth strategy, we are seeking an inspiring and strategic leader to drive our Environmental Studies curriculum whilst working in a cross-college capacity to ensure all students leave with improved carbon and sustainability literacy.

About The Role

• You will drive the design and development of our environmental studies curriculum programmes, introducing new courses (e.g. Level 3 and 4 qualifications in Environmental Studies and Sustainability) and enhancing existing provision to deliver outstanding outcomes for students and meet the evolving skills needs of employers, and future green careers.


• You will take a lead role working with curriculum teams across the College to ensure that sustainability principles are embedded across all courses, ensuring every Plumpton College student develops green skills relevant to their future path.


• Build partnerships with employers, universities, conservation bodies and sustainability organisations.


• You will manage, support and develop a high-performing team of specialist lecturers in environmental and sustainability education to ensure high standards in teaching, learning and student progress.


• Lead outreach activity such as Eco-Schools initiatives, sustainability summer schools and green careers events.


• Support student recruitment, enrolment, attendance, achievement and progression

About You

We are looking for an inspiring and forward-thinking leader passionate about shaping the future of environmental and sustainability education. You will hold a degree (or higher) in Environmental Science, Sustainability, Conservation or a related subject i.e. Geography or Science and have proven experience driving curriculum development in an educational setting. With strong industry connections across conservation and sustainability sectors, you will bring real-world relevance to our programmes. You are confident with GIS, carbon footprinting, and digital tools in environmental science, and keep ahead of emerging green skills, policies, and sustainability trends. Experienced in leading multi-disciplinary teams within education, you thrive on collaboration, innovation, and delivering meaningful impact for students and the wider community.

You’ll benefit from

• 37 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays and efficiency days.


• Eligible for the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, including employer contributions and life assurance.


• Staff also benefit from high‑quality CPD and professional development opportunities.


• As a Disability Confident Committed employer and signatory of the Menopause Pledge, we are proud to support an inclusive working environment.


• New colleagues benefit from a structured induction, a supported four‑month probationary period, and a strong coaching culture led by in‑house Level 5 trained coaches.


• Employees also enjoy lifestyle and wellbeing benefits, including eligibility for a TOTUM and Blue Light Card, free eye tests, free use of our onsite gym, cycle‑to‑work scheme, discounted Plumpton produce and courses, free onsite parking, and access to our Employee Assistance Programme.


• In addition, support with relocation including possible accommodation in shared staff housing for up to the first six months of employment.


• Our commitment to wellbeing and community is further demonstrated through active EDI and Sustainability committees, regular staff events and social activities throughout the year.

Plumpton College is committed to the promotion of equal opportunities and is dedicated to pursuing non-discriminatory policies and practices and eliminating unfair discrimination on any basis.

Plumpton is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of learners and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We are unable to provide any visa sponsorship for this role.