Head of Department - Digital and Games

Salary £54,163 per annum leading up to £57,458 per annum Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time Region North Package Permanent Job category Non Teaching Date posted 02/07/2026 Job reference VV2102 Attachments:
Job Description - HOD.doc, Candidate

Exciting Leadership Opportunity – Head of Department:
Digital and Games Technologies

Digital | Computing | AI | Data | Cyber | Software Development | Games | Emerging Technologies

Are you an ambitious, future-focused, and experienced leader ready to shape the next generation of digital and games talent?

Do you thrive on innovation, industry collaboration, and preparing learners for fast-moving technology careers?

Are you ready to lead a high-performing team into an exciting new phase of curriculum growth and employer impact?

We’re looking for a visionary Head of Department to lead and inspire across our Digital and Games Technologies provision, including AI, Data, Cyber, Software Development, Games Production and emerging technologies in a changing skills landscape.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to lead a dynamic department at the heart of the region’s digital skills agenda, building on strong foundations and taking the curriculum, employer partnerships, recruitment, learner experience, and outcomes to the next level.

You will be:

• Leading and managing a passionate, skilled team of professionals across Digital and Games Technologies.
• Driving curriculum innovation, ensuring our offer is current, compelling, inclusive, and aligned to the needs of employers, learners, and the regional skills economy.
• Building strong partnerships, not just maintaining existing relationships, but forging bold new collaborations with digital employers, games studios, technology partners, schools, community organisations, and regional stakeholders.
• Shaping a future-facing department where all learners are supported to thrive technically, academically, personally, and professionally.
• Ensuring high standards of teaching, learning, assessment, learner support, attendance, achievement, progression, and destinations.
• Using data, learner voice, employer feedback, and quality assurance to drive continuous improvement and exceptional learner outcomes.
• You’ll bring the vision, credibility, and energy to lead the department into an exciting new chapter, one that redefines what digital and games education can achieve for learners, employers, and the wider region.

• Is a proven curriculum leader/ head of department with experience in digital and or games, or a closely related technology field.
• Has an excellent understanding of the digital and games skills landscape, including current and emerging industry needs.
• Has a strong track record of working with external partners and stakeholders, including successful collaboration with employers and industry specialists.
• Is driven by excellence, innovation, and inclusion, with a deep understanding of curriculum design, delivery, assessment, and quality improvement.
• Can manage people, budgets, performance, and physical resources effectively to ensure high standards, sustainable growth, and strong learner outcomes.
• Possesses exceptional communication and leadership skills and thrives on motivating, developing, and empowering their team.
• Is passionate about learner success and committed to ensuring every learner develops the Employment Edge needed to progress into higher education, apprenticeships, employment, or further specialist training.
• Can lead change confidently, support staff effectively, and create a culture of ambition, accountability, creativity, and continuous improvement.
• Has a broad understanding of the evolving skills and funding landscape and is able to apply this to the business planning process.

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant discipline.
• Significant experience of curriculum leadership in digital, computing, games or a related technology area.
• Proven ability to drive quality improvement and manage change in a dynamic education or training environment.
• Strong understanding of employer engagement, technical education, digital skills, and the future…