Are you passionate about providing excellent games provision in the education sector? If you are, we are looking for a dedicated individual to join our dynamic Games Design and Production team at our Bede campus.
About the College
Sunderland College has been delivering highly successful courses for more than 20 years and is one of the largest providers of post-16 education in the North East with approximately 14,300 students.
The College has two campuses across the city of Sunderland, offering a wide range of academic and vocational provision for school leavers and adults. The College aims to develop and positively shape lives, communities, and the economy through teaching, learning and development of skills. Our students consistently achieve outstanding results and Sunderland College has been ranked in the top 25% in the country for student achievement rates. In October 2024, we were ranked as Ofsted outstanding, and we are proud of our diverse student and staff community that provide our students with bespoke education pathways to help them achieve their future career goals.
Please see the following link to our 2024 Ofsted Report, in which we were graded as being Outstanding across all areas - Ofsted-Report-Outstanding
Our Journey & Values
As an employer, we prioritize cultivating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, where our staff can thrive and grow. We recognise that our employees are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to investing in their professional development and overall wellbeing.
About the Candidate
We are seeking a passionate, creative, and industry-focused practitioner with expertise in Games Design, Games Art, or Games Development. The successful candidate will have the ability to inspire learners across Further Education, delivering engaging and innovative learning experiences that prepare students for careers within the games and wider creative digital industries.
You will be an excellent teaching practitioner who creates inclusive learning environments, sets high expectations, and supports learners to achieve their full potential. You will also play a key role in curriculum development, maintaining strong links with industry, and ensuring programmes remain relevant to current and emerging sector practices.
Our facilities include industry-standard teaching spaces, an Innovation Centre featuring an Immersive 360 Igloo, and a Motion Capture Studio, providing exceptional resources to enhance teaching, learning, and project-based collaboration.
About the Role
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Lecturer and Programme Lead to teach and lead our Games Design and Games Art provision across Further Education.
Based within the Arts Academy at Bede Campus, you will deliver high-quality teaching, assessment, and curriculum leadership, helping to shape the future of Games education within the College. You will inspire the next generation of games professionals while developing strong links with employers and industry partners to maximise student progression and employability.
Working collaboratively with colleagues across Creative and Digital Industries, you will contribute to an innovative curriculum that reflects current technologies, creative practice, and the evolving needs of the games industry.
Role Responsibilities
In this role, you could demonstrate some or all of the following:
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Designing and delivering engaging, industry-relevant learning experiences in Games Design, Games Art, and related creative digital disciplines.
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Supporting learners to develop practical, technical, and creative skills using current industry software, workflows, and production methods.
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Contributing to curriculum design and assessment strategies that reflect emerging technologies, game engines, digital art pipelines, and industry trends.
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Leading and supporting curriculum development to ensure programmes remain innovative, engaging, and responsive to employer needs.
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Building effective relationships with industry partners to enhance student experiences through live briefs, guest speakers, and work-related opportunities.
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Providing high-quality feedback, academic guidance, and pastoral support to maximise learner achievement and progression.
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Participating in course review, quality assurance, and continuous improvement activities.
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Maintaining an up-to-date understanding of developments within the games and creative digital sectors.
Qualifications
A teaching qualification is desirable but not essential. Applicants without a teaching qualification must be willing to work towards one as part of their professional development.
Essential Skills & Experience
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A background in Games Design, Games Art, Games Development, or a closely related creative digital discipline, demonstrated through industry experience and/or relevant qualifications.
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Knowledge of current games industry practices, workflows, technologies, and production pipelines.
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Experience of using relevant industry-standard software and game development tools.
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Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with learners, colleagues, employers, and external stakeholders.
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A commitment to delivering an outstanding learner experience and supporting students to achieve successful outcomes.
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A proactive approach with a strong commitment to continuous improvement and curriculum innovation.
What’s in it for you?
Join EPNE and you’ll be part of a culture that prioritises your development and wellbeing, which is why all employees receive an extensive benefits package.
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Enjoy a generous holiday allowance ranging between 35-48 days per year, plus public holidays - (Excluding Term Time Only contracts)
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Generous family leave and flexible working options (dependent on role)
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LGPS or Teacher Pensions Scheme– depending on role.
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Access tomyLifestylebenefits platform providing retail discounts and more.
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We offer dental, eye care & health cash plans.
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Extensive wellbeing support through a digital Wellbeing Hub that offers a broad range of support for physical, mental, and financial wellbeing.
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Free parking on most campuses.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion
At Education Partnership North East (EPNE), we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences. We know that diverse perspectives strengthen our teams to enhance the education and support we provide to our learners and communities.
We recognise that talented individuals may not always follow a traditional career path and may hesitate to apply unless they meet every requirement. If you are excited about the role and believe you can make a positive contribution, we encourage you to apply.
As a Disability Confident Employer and Armed Forces Covenant Member, and with Ofsted Outstanding status across all campuses, we are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and high-performing environment where everyone can thrive.
Due to the nature of this post, you will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure Check.
We believe in equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
We are committed to PREVENT and safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.
Please contact Jonathan Wharton via [email protected] should you wish to have an informal chat about the role.
