ODU Training Manager - Counter Terrorism Policing

West Midlands Police; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK Law Enforcement Agency seeks a skilled training manager to oversee the development and quality assurance of Counter Terrorism training. This role demands experience in learning and development within complex organizations and includes managing training for a national network. The successful candidate will coordinate innovative training solutions and work collaboratively across regional teams. Candidates should possess relevant training qualifications and be prepared for national travel. This is an on-site position in Birmingham with a competitive salary.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Professional development opportunities

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Experience managing a learning and development service within a complex organization.
• Prior experience managing teams of learning practitioners.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan and design national CT training to maintain operational performance.
• Manage relationships with partner agencies regarding training.
• Oversee development and evaluation of training content.

Skills

Communication skills

Project management

Problem solving

Training development

Team management

Education

Certificate in Education and Training

Quality Assurance qualification

Tools

Learning Management Systems (LMS)

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Closing date: 18 January 2026 11:59pm

Salary: £52,194 - £57,186

Grade: 8

Type: Full time

The Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) network stretches across the UK. We work alongside our partners to help protect the public and our national security by preventing, deterring and investigating terrorist activity.

Based at our modern offices near to Birmingham International Airport, our Operational Development Unit (ODU) is a dedicated team who are responsible for the strategic management of Learning, Training and Exercising (LTE) within the CT Network. The unit forms a key part of the Prepare strand of the Home Office CONTEST Strategy. Working alongside our partners, the ODU harnesses the value of shared LTE to ensure the CT Network is ready, prepared and interoperable to respond to current and emerging terrorism and counter state threats.

We are looking for a motivated, dynamic and suitably qualified colleague who will be responsible and accountable for the planning, design and quality assurance of national CT and Mission 2 Training.

The candidate's base station will be ODU offices located in West Midlands, near to Birmingham International Airport. However, there will be an expectation of national travel on a regular basis to perform this role including having to work extended hours at locations throughout the UK (predominantly London). There may also be future opportunities to travel internationally as Mission 2 work evolves.

The nature of specialist CT work and the higher classification of the computer systems and training content that are used, means the opportunities for blended working are rare. The role will be predominantly office based in accordance with the business requirement and in order to access the appropriate systems.

The role

You’ll plan, design and quality assure Mission 2 related training provided to the CT Network to ensure operational performance is maintained and developed, including providing a full training management service within the capability area, using your knowledge of training techniques and training management experience.

Your communication skills will be utilised when working effectively as part of the team and with colleagues from across the national network.

You’ll be responsible for the direct line management of ODU Trainers within your capability area. You’ll also be responsible for the matrix management of regional staff (to support training) across the CT Network (10 regions).

Responsibilities

• To be responsible for the national training needs analysis of all new training requests in the capability and provide solutions and options in support of the business requirement.
• To develop, validate and evaluate national training to ensure organisational objectives are achieved, they meet customer requirement and contribute to the personal development of students.
• To explore and develop innovative blended training on platforms such as remote training, eLearning, videos and any other technology to support blended training.
• To develop and maintain continuous professional development (CPD) and training to relevant portfolio cadres.
• To plan, design, prepare, quality assure and co‑ordinate the content and delivery of bespoke CT training throughout the UK. Facilitate opportunities for learning and personal development in accordance with the CTP Learning, Training & Exercising (LTE) Strategy.
• To direct and assist regional Trainers in the research, planning, design and delivery of training course materials, and to provide support in the delivery of training, including the facilitation of Train the Trainer events.
• To assist the CTP National Senior T & D Manager to oversee, coordinate and task CTP funded regional T & D posts subject to governance and matrix‑management arrangements.
• To represent National ODU and be accountable for providing expert advice and making key training recommendations at National Capability Boards, Working Groups and Sub Business Assurance Boards for each work stream.
• To organise and chair relevant national meetings/subgroups/working groups.
• To support the CTP National Senior T & D Manager and ODU SLT to demonstrate clear Return on Investment (ROI), best value and business improvement as a result of learning and development activity.
• To manage relationships with partner agencies in relation to training matters, including administrative leads in the Security Service, College of Policing and Home Office etc. and to be the first point of contact for LTE enquiries nationally and occasionally internationally.
• To plan and manage individual or team activities including leading on and coordinating working groups/conferences within specific work streams, setting aims and objectives and managing actions to develop and standardise national training products.
• To recruit and line manage ODU training staff (including tasking, performance management, welfare, logistics etc.).
• To contribute towards and complete high‑quality management reports, business papers and recommendations.
• To work collaboratively with and be the first point of contact for the Organisational Learning & Exercising (OL & E) team to address training issues and recommendations highlighted in operational or exercise reviews/debriefs to ensure operational performance is maintained and developed. The National Training Managers will act as the conduit between the ODU and the National Capability boards regarding Organisational Learning (OL).
• To support and lead on national projects and change programmes, including providing strategic direction for regional Training & Development Co‑ordinators, making complex decisions and adhering to and setting deadlines. Ensure national projects are successfully transitioned and supported in business as usual (BAU).
• Monitor the health, safety and welfare of trainers, subject matter experts and students during courses/events and ensure maintenance of discipline and professional standards for all national CT and Mission 2 courses.
• Promote equality, diversity and Human Rights in working practices by developing and maintaining positive working relationships, ensuring that colleagues are treated fairly and contributing to developing equality of opportunity in working practices.
• Any other duties commensurate with the role and band/grade.

Skills & Competencies

Essential

• Hold a training qualification, Certificate in Education and Training (minimum Level 4, formerly Award in Education and Training) or equivalent/higher, or have a willingness and ability to acquire the requisite accreditation.
• Hold or have a willingness to work towards a Quality Assurance qualification, e.g. work places assessor or vocational assessor (CAVA/A1).
• Have prior experience of managing a learning and development service within a large complex organisation.
• Have experience of managing the complete learning cycle of commissioning, designing, developing, implementing and evaluating learning content that has a visible impact on organisational success.
• Post holder will have sound working knowledge and personal experience of Counter Terrorism Policing (specifically in the capability applied for i.e. Intelligence/Surveillance/Borders/Investigations/Digital/Interventions/Projects/Protect & Prepare/Mission 2 etc).
• Prior experience of managing a team of learning practitioners, supporting individual, professional and organisational development (line management and matrix management).
• Evidence of attending, organising, facilitating or chairing local, regional and national working groups.
• Evidence of successful interpretation and application of relevant legislation, including contributing to new legislation /national bodies.
• Be conversant with and be able to identify and contribute to best practice within the Counter Terrorist field to ensure that training is revised and refreshed accordingly.
• Hold a full driving licence and be prepared to travel nationally.
• To undertake DV Vetting and any other security clearances.
• Must evidence strong and effective written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to persuade, influence and negotiate to achieve objectives.
• Ability to influence and build effective collaborative relationships with a wide range of professionals within and around the National CT Network.
• Ability to prioritise and manage conflicts (people and tasks).
• Demonstrate a creative and innovative approach to problem solving using analysis, evidence and insights.
• Demonstrate awareness of equality and diversity appropriate to this role and have a high level of personal integrity.
• Experience in developing and delivering blended and virtual learning interventions.
• Ability to manage through others.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a Programme or Project environment.
• Hold a project management qualification (Prince 2/Agile etc.) and/or change management qualification or have a willingness to acquire if necessary.
• Experience of policy formulation and development.
• Experience of IT packages to design and deliver training including Learning Management Systems (LMS) and Microsoft packages such as Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio etc.
• Management of national portfolios.
• Ability to lead multi-disciplinary and multi-agency groups to achieve the optimum outcome for all parties.
• Experience of matrix-management or line management of personnel.
• Experience of working in a Learning, Training or Exercising environment.

Additional information

The post holder will be contracted to work 36.5 hours per week, but will need to be flexible to meet the demands of the post and may have to work outside normal core hours. The role will predominantly be completed during the hours of 0800hrs to 1600hrs Monday to Friday using a flexible working policy.

There will be an expectation that the post holder is prepared to travel nationally on a regular basis to perform this role including having to work extended hours at locations throughout the UK, including some International travel as and when required.

Under the Probation Policy, if you are currently in your probation period, during your probationary period you will not be permitted to apply for alternative police staff roles within the Force unless there are exceptional circumstances. In such cases, you would require the support of your line manager prior to applying for alternative roles, and if successful, your probationary period will start over.

Security Clearance

⚠ This role requires British Nationality (some dual nationalities may be ineligible) and a Developed Vetting clearance. Applicants must hold or be prepared to undergo and maintain National Security Vetting (NSV) Developed Vetting (DV) level before taking up the post. Additionally, this material is of particular sensitivity to the UK and its distribution must be restricted to UK nationals. In approved circumstances dual nationals (of which one element is British) may also be granted access. However, in the event that potential conflicts of interest cannot be managed, the post holder will not be able to see the intelligence material and will not be able to perform their duties. For the purpose of safeguarding national security and in line with Cabinet Office Policy, supported by Section 82(2) to (4) of the Police Reform Act (2002), applicants who do not hold or acquire Developed Vetting (DV) clearance and meet the nationality requirements cannot be offered the post. Any offer of employment will be conditional based on obtaining/passing all of the necessary security clearances.

Diversity & Inclusion

We maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness and inclusion to deliver the best service for our communities, whilst protecting them from harm.

Counter Terrorism Policing is always working to build upon our diverse workforce to reflect the country we serve. An inclusive culture enables us to do things differently, working in ways that meet individuals' needs, flexing working patterns to ensure work‑life balance is healthy so that we deliver the best for the organisation.

We are a Disability Confident Leader - the highest level an organisation can achieve under the scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions. As part of our commitment we operate a Disability Confident Interview Scheme - all candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview.

It is important to note that there may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people who meet the essential criteria for the job. For example, in certain recruitment situations such as high‑volume, seasonal and high‑peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non‑disabled people. In these circumstances, the employer could select the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job, as they would do for non‑disabled applicants.

Advertisement Closing Date

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if the maximum volume of applications has been reached. Candidates with unsubmitted applications will not be informed prior to the advert closing.

Please do not attach a CV/covering letter as these will not be used during the application process.