Head of Programmes

At FutureLearn, we’re passionate about the power of lifelong learning. We help learners from all over the world progress in their careers – and invest in their futures.

We truly believe that up-skilling is a worthy investment, and we hope to empower our learners to take control of their careers through personalised learning pathways – giving them progress at their fingertips.

Partnering with 260+ world-class educational partners, including prestigious universities, global brands and industry partners, we offer our 18 million-strong learner community the opportunity to discover and access flexible, high-quality online courses and degrees.

We’re not here just to teach new skills (although we do that well), we want to help transform lives. FutureLearn is looking to build our teams with people who share our passion for lifelong learning, career empowerment and education for all. If that sounds like you, get in touch. You could help us achieve our biggest goal yet – becoming the world’s best AI-powered, career-based learning platform and OPM.

What is the opportunity?

The Head of Programmes focuses on providing academic leadership and operationalising excellence in experience and outcomes. As a collaborative, learner-centred, and inspiring leader, they are responsible for embedding high quality teaching, feedback, and assessment practices that support learning, continuation, progression, and attainment. They ensure engaging and challenging course content, effective use of learning resources, and delivery methods that enable learners to reach their full academic potential. In addition, they implement tailored approaches to support learners through their studies and into successful outcomes beyond graduation.

The Head of Programmes line manages the performance of various academic staff, leading recruitment efforts to attract high-performing educators. They also contribute to teaching and related academic duties within their area of expertise. The role involves collaborating with colleagues and stakeholders. The Head of Programmes is accountable for delivering programme metrics to sector standards.

What does success look like?

• Contributing to the enhancement of learner satisfaction and B3 outcomes.
• Ensuring the effective implementation and ongoing actions from the teaching, learning and assessment strategy.
• Leading academic staff and promoting learner-centred active pedagogies.
• Supporting lecturers in creating high learner engagement and satisfaction in modules.
• Providing effective academic leadership across all programmes.
• Working with Programme Leaders to track learner engagement and interventions within modules and programmes using analytics.
• Supporting research and scholarly activity within the team, referring opportunities to the Director of Academic Affairs for sign off.
• Maintaining high academic quality and standards on programmes and monitors student outcomes and related actions.
• Supporting the Programme Leaders in undertaking curriculum development and re-design, keeping abreast of pedagogic developments.
• Working collaboratively with the module development team ensuring module development is delivered on time.
• Observing and defining priorities and deadlines in the achievement of strategic and operational objectives, in agreement with the Director of Academic Affairs.
• Preparing cohort and annual analytical reports on the delivery of programmes identifying trends and needs for support and continuous improvement.
• Disseminating knowledge and best practices across Higher Education Services.
• Effectively managing competing priorities.
• Participating in FutureLearn’s governance through assigned committee and working group membership.
• Ensuring compliance with Statutory Requirements, Codes of Practice, and FutureLearn Quality Framework.
• Empowering academic staff within Higher Education Services to deliver excellence, including operationalising recruitment, performance management, appraisal, development, and capacity planning of junior staff.
• Ensuring close engagement with learners to ensure opportunities for learner voice and participation in the development of the programmes and FutureLearn.
• Demonstrating a commitment to continuing personal and professional development for self and others, collaborating with the Director of Academic Affairs to develop an annual CPD plan.
• Working in accordance with the FutureLearn value framework.
• Maintaining strong empathy for FutureLearn’s commitment to equality of opportunity and equality of treatment for colleagues and learners.
• Any other duties as appropriate to seniority and role.
• Occasional travel required to other locations for meetings or training.

What does success look like?

• A PhD or substantial industry experience within a relevant subject area.
• Good understanding of the current issues in higher education.
• Strong commitment to the goals and vision of FutureLearn.
• Actively builds teams and effective working relationships.
• Ability to work collaboratively and develop positive relationships with a range of senior stakeholders, inside of FutureLearn.
• A strong commitment to promoting excellence in teaching, research, and leadership.
• Proven record of teaching on and leading programmes within the higher education sector.
• Experience of identifying risks and options, and of developing strategies to manage and mitigate them.
• Resilient, able to work in a fast-changing environment and with conflicting priorities.
• Operates with integrity, openness, and honesty with a strong commitment to equality and inclusivity and an understanding of cultural differences and considerations.

Desirable

• Experience of online teaching and learning.
• Industry experience.
• Manages change effectively.
• Experience of Chairing committees and working groups

What we offer you:

• Flexible - 4 days a week

• 28 days of Annual Leave plus UK Public Holidays
• Roll over up to 5 days Holiday
• Access to FutureLearn courses
• Westfield Health Cash Plan
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Season Ticket Loan
• Charity work – 1 day dedicated to a charity of your choice
• Calm Premium Subscription

What happens next?

Ready to go for it? Click 'Apply', include your CV and tell us why you'd like to become a FutureLearner, and how you’ll nail this role.

Recruitment Process

Please contact [email protected] if you require any reasonable adjustments or alterations to be made to support you through the recruitment process.

Diversity Statement

We value all the great benefits that diversity brings and encourage everyone to bring their whole self to work – At FutureLearn we are proud to have Diversity and Inclusion at the centre of everything we do. We are committed to Equal Employment Opportunity regardless of race, colour, national origin, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion.

We can't wait to meet you! #FutureLearnCareers