Director of Learning Development Services

Anglia Ruskin University; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A global university in Chelmsford is seeking a Director of Learning Development Services. The role involves providing strategic leadership to enhance innovative learning delivery, focusing on apprenticeships and distance learning. Candidates should have proven leadership experience in higher education, strong commercial acumen, and the ability to manage diverse teams. This position offers competitive salary and flexible working opportunities aligned with the university's education strategy.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement

Occupational pension schemes

Training and development opportunities

Competitive relocation package

Qualifications

• Experience in delivering large-scale educational programmes.
• Strong background in higher education or related sectors.
• Ability to lead diverse teams across complex environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for Learning Development Services.
• Drive development of innovative learning delivery across programs.
• Shape approach to lifelong learning and technology-enhanced education.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Commercial acumen

Strategic thinking

Understanding of UK higher education landscape

Job description

Job Details

• Job Category: Senior Management
• Vacancy Type: Permanent
• Employment Type: Full time
• Salary: Competitive Salary
• Location: Chelmsford/Cambridge
• Faculty/Prof Service: Learning & Development Services
• Closing Date: 16/01/2026
• Reference No: 3767

About ARU

ARU is a global university transforming lives through innovative, inclusive and entrepreneurial education and research. ARU holds a Gold award for the quality of its education, awarded through the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).

ARU’s research institutes and four faculties bridge scientific, technical and creative fields. We deliver impactful research which tackles pressing issues and makes a real difference to our communities. Our academic excellence has been recognised by the UK’s Higher Education funding bodies, with 16 of our research areas assessed as world leading. We are the largest provider of Nursing, Midwifery, Health and Social Care students in the East of England, and we are also among the UK’s leading universities for degree apprenticeship provision, working with hundreds of employers across the UK.

About The Role

We are now seeking to appoint a Director of Learning Development Services (LDS). Reporting to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), the Director will provide strategic leadership for LDS, which includes ARU Distance Learning, Degrees at Work, and associated educational partnerships. This is an exceptional opportunity to drive the development of high‑quality, flexible, and innovative learning delivery across apprenticeships, distance learning, and continuing professional development. The postholder will play a central role in shaping ARU’s approach to lifelong learning, technology‑enhanced education, and partnership growth, supporting our Education Strategy 2022–2027 and the University’s overarching mission of transforming lives through education.

The successful candidate will be an accomplished leader with experience of delivering large‑scale educational programmes and partnerships in higher education or related sectors. They will bring strong commercial and strategic acumen, a deep understanding of the UK higher education and apprenticeship landscape, and the ability to lead diverse teams operating across complex regulatory environments. Excellent stakeholder management, creativity, and a commitment to ARU’s values – ambition, innovation, courage, community, integrity, and responsibility – will be essential.

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to Anglia Ruskin University on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details on how to apply, please click here or email [e-mail]. Applications should be received by 12 noon on Friday 16 January 2026.

Find out more about working with us and how we recruit.

We have an agile working culture and offer an extensive range of benefits including generous holiday entitlement, occupational pension schemes, training and development opportunities, travel to work scheme and a competitive relocation package. Visit our benefits page for full details.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare of our staff and students and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We value diversity at ARU and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We have a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. Committed to being inclusive and open to discuss flexible working.

Documents

• Candidate Brief (PDF, 2125.61 kb)