Senior Product and Content Developer

Ascentis group; Lancaster; Hybrid; GBP 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational charity organization is seeking an Educational Development Manager in Lancaster. The chosen candidate will oversee team performance, manage educational program development, and ensure quality curriculum alignment. Key qualifications include Level 5 education, expertise in teaching techniques for SEN pupils, and skills in Adobe software. Benefits include flexible working arrangements, generous annual leave, and various employee support programs. This role presents an excellent opportunity to contribute to impactful educational initiatives.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus 8 public holidays

Competitive pension benefits

Access to informal flexibility

Cycle to Work Scheme

Discounted gym membership

24-hour employee helpline

Health app with virtual GP access

Qualifications

• Educated to Level 5 or equivalent, with up-to-date skills in relevant software.
• Knowledge of teaching techniques for SEN pupils and proven research skills.
• Excellent ability to listen and interpret customer needs.
• Capable of managing workloads under pressure and meeting deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Provide line management and oversee team objectives and performance.
• Manage task backlog and allocate responsibilities effectively.
• Guide creation of study programs meeting educational standards.
• Review program content for alignment and effectiveness.

Skills

Adobe Illustrator

Audition

Captivate

Figma

Teaching techniques for SEN

Research and analytical ability

Customer needs interpretation

Flexible working under pressure

Education

Level 5 education or equivalent

Job description

Starting Salary: £41,666 per annum

Job Type: Permanent

Working pattern: 35 hours per week. Monday-Thursday in our Head Office in Lancaster, work from home on Fridays (flexible working options will be considered)

In this role you will:

• Provide Line Management – Conduct regular one-to-one meetings, set team and individual objectives, and monitor performance against KPIs.
• Manage Team Delivery – Oversee task backlog, prioritise work, and allocate responsibilities effectively.
• Ensure Quality Program Development – Guide the creation of study programs that meet curriculum standards, engage learners, and apply sound pedagogical practices.
• Review and Evaluate Content – Regularly assess program content for curriculum alignment, design quality, usage, and effectiveness.
• Lead Research Initiatives – Conduct and present academic and market research to inform product development and innovation.
• Drive Innovation in SEND Interventions – Develop new approaches for SEND delivery with strong pedagogical reasoning.
• Collaborate and Build Partnerships – Work with internal teams, external contractors, educational bodies, and subject experts to enhance product value and reach.
• Develop Training and Promotional Materials – Design CPD training, product support resources, and deliver presentations and events to stakeholders and customers.

Qualifications

• Educated to Level 5 or equivalent, with up-to-date skills in Adobe Illustrator, Audition, Captivate, and Figma
• Knowledge of teaching techniques for SEN pupils (EY, KS1–KS3) and proven research and analytical ability
• Excellent ability to listen, interpret customer needs, and articulate them effectively to colleagues and partners
• Capable of managing varied workloads, working under pressure, meeting deadlines, and using own initiative
• Flexible, detail-oriented, committed to CPD, and willing to travel occasionally

Additional Attributes

• Experience conducting competitive product research and using findings to inform product specifications within the education market
• Proven ability to present research and insights effectively to stakeholders
• Knowledge of IT as a teaching resource for SEND and familiarity with educational software development
• Background in educational research on teaching trends and techniques at EY, KS1–KS3

Further information

Closing date: 30 January 2026

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact Sean Hanratty, Software Development Manager at [e-mail].

We reserve the right to close the job vacancy early if we find an appointable candidate or receive a high volume of applicants.

This job may meet the eligibility requirements to qualify for visa sponsorship.

About us

We are proud to be one of the UK’s leading educational charity groups, encompassing an awarding organisation, a provider of dyslexia intervention software and an online training organisation. Our enthusiastic people bring genuine passion and natural energy to everything that they do and through their infectious energy they transform the lives of thousands of people each year through the power of education. It has never been a more exciting time to join Ascentis as we continue our journey of growth across the UK and overseas.

We are market leading in the education sector and the specialist areas we operate within, maintaining the #1 provision for ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) in the UK as well as being a leading Access Validating Agency. We are based in Lancaster but we have a national reach, with a significant customer base in London. We have recently secured two major achievements, winning the Innovation of the Year and Awarding Organisation of the Year at the 2024 Federation of Awarding Bodies awards.

Ascentis is made up of brilliant people, unique in terms of background, personality, characteristics, experience and skill. We value our people for the differences they bring to the table and believe this diversity is powerful. We are an equal opportunities employer, and we are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable.

To find out what our employees have to say about working at Ascentis watch the video found.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus 8 public holidays, birthday day off, closure days gifted during the Christmas period, increased annual leave with long service and an Annual Leave Purchase Scheme (up to a maximum of 43 days)
• Competitive pension benefits, including a salary sacrifice scheme
• Access to Informal Flexibility, allowing you to flex your working times and location where viable
• Incremental service benefits as a family-friendly employer, including enhanced Maternity, Neonatal, Paternity, Shared Parental, Adoption Leave and Pay, Sick Pay, Life Insurance, and Paid Compassionate Leave
• Access to state-of-the-art office and break facilities, such as bean-to-cup coffee machine, vending machine, pool table, Xbox, outdoor seating, dressing room (with access to hair dryers, straighteners, airers, shower facilities), Harry Potter reading room, employee library and more
• Free parking, locked bike storage shed
• Access to car electric charging points (charges payable by employee)
• Tailored learning and development opportunities
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Home and Tech Scheme
• Discounted gym membership at 3-1-5 Health Club
• 24-hour employee helpline and a proactive focus on wellbeing
• Aviva DigiCare+ health app with access to virtual GP appointments, annual health check and more
• Reward and recognition scheme, regular team building and communication activities

Do you like the sound of Ascentis, but think your skills might suit another role?

We also have other vacancies available. Take a look at our website for more! www.ascentis.co.uk/jobs