Curriculum & Product Manager (Data & AI)

Educated Appointments; Darlington; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative apprenticeship provider seeks a Curriculum & Product Manager in Darlington to lead the development of Data and AI programmes. In this impactful role, you'll combine educational expertise with commercial insight, driving the strategic curriculum design to meet industry demands and enhance learner experiences. Additionally, you'll enjoy a range of perks, including generous holidays and mental health support.

Benefits

4.5-day working week

25+ days holiday

Life Event Day

Free mental health support

Local gym discounts

Volunteer Day

Qualifications

• Proven experience in curriculum design, educational product management, or apprenticeship development.
• Strong understanding of apprenticeship funding rules and regulatory frameworks.
• Analytical mindset to shape strategic decisions.

Responsibilities

• Design and refine Data and AI apprenticeship standards.
• Lead curriculum audits ensuring content is engaging and compliant.
• Collaborate with Sales and Marketing to align programmes with market demands.

Skills

Curriculum design

Educational product management

Analytical mindset

Stakeholder management

Job description

Are you passionate about transforming education to keep pace with the demands of today's digital world? Do you see curriculum as more than content-but as a tool for empowerment, innovation, and lasting impact?

An award-winning apprenticeship provider-named one of the Sunday Times Top 100 Best Places to Work 2024-is searching for a Curriculum & Product Manager to lead the strategic development of its Data and AI programmes. This isn't a back-office role. It's a bold opportunity to shape the skills agenda for the next generation of digital professionals.

In this high-impact position, you'll blend educational expertise with commercial insight to design and evolve apprenticeship programmes that are compliant, cost-effective, and truly career-defining. You'll work across teams-from Sales and Delivery to Senior Leadership-bringing to life a curriculum that resonates with employers, motivates learners, and drives sustainable growth.

This role offers genuine breadth and influence. Your key responsibilities will include:

Curriculum Strategy & Development:

• Design and refine Data and AI apprenticeship standards in line with sector trends.
• Lead bi-annual curriculum audits, ensuring content is current, engaging, and compliant.
• Use performance data (EPA results, learner feedback, satisfaction scores) to identify and implement improvements.

Market Relevance & Innovation:

• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, and employer partners to keep programmes aligned with real-world demands.
• Participate in employer conversations to understand objections, validate needs, and identify opportunities for differentiation.
• Lead the creation of impactful curriculum collateral and sales enablement resources.

Commercial Thinking & Cost Control:

• Evaluate delivery models and find ways to scale cost-effectively using modularisation, shared resources, and digital-first delivery.
• Work closely with Finance to model cost implications and ensure programme profitability within funding constraints.

Learner Outcomes & Engagement:

• Embed inclusive design, digital learning tools, and interactive techniques to boost engagement.
• Improve satisfaction and retention by continuously enhancing the learner experience.

Curriculum Roadmapping:

• Own a forward-looking, 12-18 month roadmap for launches, updates, and refreshes.
• Keep leadership and delivery teams aligned through regular updates and review cycles.

Compliance & Governance:

• Ensure all programmes meet Ofsted, ESFA, and awarding body requirements.
• Conduct documentation reviews and prepare teams for inspections and audits.

Internal Knowledge Sharing:

• Create and deliver internal training, guides, and curriculum briefings.
• Upskill and empower Sales and Delivery teams to talk confidently about curriculum value.

About You

We're looking for someone with the passion, skills, and drive to take this role and run with it. The ideal candidate will bring:

- Proven experience in curriculum design, educational product management, or apprenticeship development.

- Strong understanding of apprenticeship funding rules, Ofsted's EIF, and regulatory frameworks.

- A track record of cross-functional collaboration-especially with Sales, Delivery, and Senior Leadership.

- Analytical mindset, able to use data and learner outcomes to shape strategic decisions.

- Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.

- A genuine passion for creating high-quality, career-driven learning experiences.

Bonus points if you also have:

- Experience with digital learning platforms or blended delivery models.

- A background in further education, tech training, or skills development.

- Familiarity with emerging skills areas like AI, automation, and digital transformation.

- A drive to use education to promote social mobility and economic opportunity

Why Join?

Aside from the chance to make a lasting impact, you'll also enjoy:

- A 4.5-day working week (early Friday finishes!).

- 25+ days holiday (plus office closure at Christmas), increasing with length of service.

- Additional Life Event Day & the option to buy/sell annual leave.

- Free, confidential mental health support.

- Face-to-face sessions with a dedicated Health & Wellbeing Specialist.

- Discounted local gym memberships.

- Scratch Card reward scheme.

- Volunteer Day for causes you care about.

If you're ready to build something brilliant-where curriculum meets impact, and education meets innovation-this is your moment.