Course Developer & Skills Coach – Service Designer Apprenticeship (Level 6)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Course Developer & Skills Coach – Service Designer Apprenticeship (Level 6)

Company: KnowledgeBrief

Location: Remote (UK) with occasional in-person meetings and workshops in London

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Operations & Learning Development

Date Posted: 2026-05-18

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (Remote with occasional London travel)

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop high-quality curriculum content and learning materials specifically for the Level 6 Service Designer apprenticeship program, ensuring alignment with the ST0894 standard and EPA requirements.

• Deliver engaging and effective workshops, coaching sessions, and group learning experiences to apprentices, fostering practical application of service design principles in real-world workplace contexts.

• Collaborate closely with the Curriculum Innovation Manager, Digital Learning Team, and the broader Operations function to enhance digital learning experiences and drive positive learner outcomes.

• Monitor apprentice progress, conduct tripartite reviews, and provide dedicated support to ensure successful completion of the apprenticeship and readiness for End-Point Assessment (EPA).

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of programmes through standardization, quality assurance activities, and the implementation of best practices in learning and development.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role title includes "Course Developer & Skills Coach," the core responsibilities and requirements strongly point to a specialized function within operations focused on talent development and curriculum management for a specific apprenticeship. The emphasis on "Service Designer Apprenticeship" indicates a niche but critical operational role in ensuring the quality and effectiveness of professional development programs. This role requires a blend of subject matter expertise in service design and pedagogical skills, operating within an operational framework to deliver structured learning outcomes.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the design and development of comprehensive curriculum content, ensuring it meticulously aligns with the ST0894 Service Designer apprenticeship standard and End-Point Assessment (EPA) criteria.

• Facilitate and deliver dynamic workshops, targeted coaching sessions, and interactive group learning experiences designed for adult learners in an apprenticeship setting.

• Guide apprentices in the practical application of core service design principles, user research methodologies, journey mapping, service blueprinting, prototyping, and systems thinking within their actual work environments.

• Partner effectively with the Curriculum Innovation Manager and the Digital Learning Team to co-create innovative, high-quality learning materials, digital assets, and engaging educational content.

• Proactively monitor individual learner progress, conduct regular tripartite reviews with learners and employers, and provide tailored support to ensure apprentices achieve successful completion and EPA readiness.

• Actively participate in and contribute to standardization initiatives, quality assurance processes, and ongoing continuous improvement activities across all apprenticeship programmes.

• Cultivate and maintain strong, positive professional relationships with apprentices, their employers, and internal colleagues across the KnowledgeBrief organisation.

• Ensure the meticulous maintenance of accurate learner records and provide diligent support for all compliance requirements related to apprenticeship delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities are heavily focused on the operational delivery of an apprenticeship program. This involves not just content creation but also direct learner engagement, progress tracking, and quality assurance, all critical operational functions in a learning and development context. The mention of "tripartite reviews" and "EPA readiness" highlights specific operational processes within the apprenticeship framework.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent) are essential.

• A Degree in Service Design, UX, Design, or a closely related discipline is desirable.

• Possession of a teaching qualification such as an Award in Education and Training (AET), Diploma in Education and Training (DET), or PGCE is highly desirable.

Experience:

• Essential:

  • Demonstrable occupational experience in service design, user experience (UX), or a related field.
  • Proven experience in designing learning, curriculum, or training materials for professional development.
  • Experience in coaching, mentoring, or actively supporting professionals through their development journeys.

• Desirable:

  • Direct experience in delivering apprenticeship standards, understanding their unique frameworks and compliance needs.

Required Skills:

• Service Design Expertise: Deep understanding and practical application of user research, journey mapping, service blueprinting, prototyping, and systems thinking.

• Curriculum Development: Proven ability to design and develop engaging learning content and materials aligned with specific standards (e.g., ST0894 Service Designer).

• Coaching & Mentoring: Strong skills in providing effective one-to-one and group coaching to support professional growth and skill application.

• Adult Learning Principles: Solid grasp of and ability to apply principles of adult education andragogy to enhance learning effectiveness.

Preferred Skills:

• Apprenticeship Delivery: Familiarity with the operational aspects of delivering government-funded apprenticeships.

• Digital Learning Tools: Proficiency with modern digital learning platforms and authoring tools.

• Assessment & Quality Assurance: Knowledge of assessment strategies and quality assurance processes within vocational education.

• Stakeholder Management: Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with learners, employers, and internal teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Essential" and "Desirable" categories clearly delineate the core operational competencies required. The emphasis on occupational experience in service design combined with instructional design and coaching skills signifies a hybrid operational role focused on specialized professional development. The inclusion of teaching and assessment qualifications, while desirable, underscores the pedagogical aspect of this operational position.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Curriculum Design Case Studies: Showcase examples of learning modules, lesson plans, or workshop materials developed for professional audiences, demonstrating alignment with specific learning objectives or industry standards.

• Coaching & Mentoring Impact: Present evidence or case studies of how coaching or mentoring has led to tangible skill development and workplace application for individuals or groups.

• Service Design Project Examples: Illustrate practical application of service design principles (user research, mapping, prototyping) in past projects, highlighting problem-solving and solution-improvement aspects.

• Adult Learning Integration: Demonstrate how adult learning principles were incorporated into the design and delivery of learning experiences, showing adaptation to learner needs and contexts.

Process Documentation:

• Curriculum Development Workflow: Document the process undertaken for designing and developing new learning content, from initial standard analysis to final asset creation and quality checks.

• Learner Support and Progress Tracking: Outline the methodology for monitoring learner progress, conducting reviews (e.g., tripartite reviews), and identifying support needs throughout the apprenticeship journey.

• Quality Assurance Procedures: Detail the steps involved in ensuring the quality and consistency of learning materials and delivery, including feedback mechanisms and continuous improvement loops.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role like this within operations, a portfolio is crucial for demonstrating practical skills in curriculum creation and coaching. The emphasis should be on showcasing the process of design and delivery, not just the final output. Highlighting how adult learning principles and service design methodologies were applied, and how learner progress was managed operationally, will be key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £37,500 – £40,000 per annum, dependent on experience.

Benefits:

• Dedicated Monthly CPD Time: Allocated time each month specifically for Continuing Professional Development, supporting ongoing skill enhancement and staying current in service design and learning methodologies.

• Generous Annual Leave: 5.6 weeks of annual leave per year, plus bank holidays, ensuring a healthy work-life balance.

• Extended Holiday Closure: A two-week company closure over the Christmas and New Year period, providing a substantial break.

• Company Sick Pay: Provided to support employees during periods of illness.

• Comprehensive Wellbeing Support: Access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and broader wellbeing initiatives, underscoring a commitment to employee health.

• Growth Opportunities: Chances to contribute to cross-team projects and participate in organisational growth initiatives, offering broader operational exposure.

• Remote-First Environment: A primary remote working setup, promoting flexibility and work-life integration.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week (assumed standard full-time hours).

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific and falls within the mid-level for specialized roles in education and operations in the UK. The benefits package is robust, with a strong emphasis on professional development (CPD time) and employee wellbeing, which are attractive differentiators for operations professionals seeking a supportive work environment. The "remote-first" approach is a key benefit for those looking for location flexibility.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Education Technology / Professional Development & Apprenticeships. KnowledgeBrief operates within the rapidly evolving landscape of professional learning, leveraging digital platforms and evidence-based methodologies to deliver impactful development programmes. The company focuses on leadership, management, and specialized professional skills, including service design, which is crucial for driving innovation and user-centricity in various sectors.

Company Size: The provided data indicates KnowledgeBrief is a medium-sized business (likely between 50-200 employees, based on typical ATS integrations like BambooHR and the nature of operations). This size often means a dynamic environment where team members can have significant influence and visibility across different functions.

Founded: Founded over 20 years ago, KnowledgeBrief has a long-standing reputation and established presence in the professional development sector. This history suggests a stable organization with a proven track record of delivering quality programmes, likely possessing mature operational processes while still embracing innovation.

Team Structure:

• Operations Focus: This role sits within the "Operations team," specifically contributing to the "Curriculum Innovation Manager" and "Digital Learning Team." This indicates a structured approach to programme development and delivery, with clear operational oversight.

• Reporting: The role reports to the Curriculum Innovation Manager, suggesting a direct line of responsibility for content creation and programme quality.

• Collaboration: The role emphasizes collaboration with the Digital Learning Team and the wider Operations function, highlighting a cross-functional operational model. Collaboration with learners and employers is also a key aspect of the role's operational remit.

Methodology:

• Evidence-Based Learning: KnowledgeBrief emphasizes an approach that combines academic insight with practical application, a core operational principle for ensuring programme efficacy.

• Innovative Platform: Delivery through an "innovative platform" suggests a reliance on technology for operational efficiency and learner engagement.

• Values-Driven: The company operates on values of authenticity, high-quality learning, and meaningful impact, which likely guide operational decisions and team interactions.

Company Website: knowledgebrief.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding KnowledgeBrief's industry and size provides context for the operational environment. A medium-sized, established EdTech company likely has a blend of structured processes and a need for agile adaptation. The role's placement within "Operations" and its collaborative nature suggest a practical, results-oriented team culture focused on delivering high-quality educational experiences.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level professional, suitable for individuals with 2-5 years of relevant experience. It's a key contributor role within the learning and development operations, focusing on specialized curriculum and coaching. The level implies a need for independent work, problem-solving, and the ability to manage specific programme elements with guidance.

Reporting Structure: The Course Developer & Skills Coach will report to the Curriculum Innovation Manager. This indicates a clear hierarchy within the curriculum development and delivery function, with the manager overseeing strategy and quality, and the coach executing on content and learner support.

Operations Impact: The role's operations impact is directly tied to the successful design, delivery, and completion of the Service Designer apprenticeship. This includes:

• Learner Outcomes: Directly influencing the skills and knowledge acquisition of apprentices, leading to successful qualification and career advancement.

• Programme Quality: Maintaining and enhancing the reputation and effectiveness of KnowledgeBrief's apprenticeship offerings through high-quality content and coaching.

• Operational Efficiency: Contributing to smooth programme delivery, compliance, and learner retention through effective process management.

• Client Satisfaction: Ensuring employers and learners are satisfied with the apprenticeship experience.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in Service Design and apprenticeship delivery, potentially leading to Senior Course Developer or Programme Lead roles within specific apprenticeship standards.

• Curriculum Innovation: Progress into roles focused on broader curriculum strategy, digital learning design, or instructional design leadership.

• Assessment & Quality Assurance: Develop expertise in assessment design and quality assurance, potentially moving into IQA or compliance-focused operational roles.

• Management: With experience, opportunities may arise to manage teams of coaches or curriculum developers, moving into operational management positions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for individuals interested in the operational side of vocational education and professional development. The growth opportunities lean towards specialization within the EdTech/apprenticeship sector, with potential to move into more strategic curriculum roles or operational management. The impact is tangible, focusing on learner success and programme quality.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is primarily Remote (UK), with the requirement for occasional in-person meetings and workshops in London. This signifies a remote-first operational model, prioritizing flexibility for employees while maintaining opportunities for face-to-face collaboration and engagement when necessary.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, the need for occasional travel to London indicates that London-based workshops, team meetings, or client interactions will occur. Candidates should be comfortable with occasional travel within the UK.

Workspace Context:

• Flexibility: The remote-first approach provides significant autonomy over the work environment, allowing individuals to set up their home office to best suit their productivity and well-being.

• Technology Reliance: As a digital learning provider, the role will heavily rely on robust digital tools for communication, collaboration, content development, and learner management. Access to reliable internet and a suitable home workspace are implicit requirements.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for team interaction will primarily be virtual (video calls, messaging platforms), supplemented by periodic in-person events in London. This requires strong virtual communication skills and active participation in online team activities.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are likely 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time role. However, the remote nature may offer some flexibility in how these hours are structured, provided work is completed and deadlines are met, and specific meeting/workshop times are adhered to.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of this role is a key aspect of its work environment. It offers the benefits of remote work (flexibility, reduced commute) while retaining the value of in-person collaboration for critical activities like workshops and team building. Candidates should be comfortable with a blend of independent remote work and occasional travel.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit CV via BambooHR.

• Initial Screening: Conducted by the People & Culture Team to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Interview Stage(s): Typically 1-2 interviews with the hiring team (likely including the Curriculum Innovation Manager and potentially other operations/learning leads). These will likely occur during the week commencing 25th May 2026.

• Final Decision & Feedback: Following the interviews.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curriculum Design Showcase: Prepare examples of learning materials specifically designed for adult learners or professional development. Highlight how you adapted content to the ST0894 standard or similar frameworks.

• Coaching Methodology: Be ready to discuss your coaching approach. Use a STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to describe instances where you successfully coached professionals, focusing on the impact on their skill development and workplace application.

• Service Design Application: Present case studies where you utilized service design principles. Clearly articulate the problem, your approach, the tools and techniques used (user research, mapping, prototyping), and the resulting improvements or impact.

• Adult Learning Integration: Explain how you embedded adult learning principles (e.g., relevance, experience-based learning, problem-centred focus) into your course development and delivery.

• Digital Tools Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss your experience with digital learning platforms, collaborative tools, and any authoring software used in course creation.

Challenge Preparation:

• Curriculum Development Exercise: You might be asked to outline a module or develop a short piece of content based on a given scenario or a specific learning objective within the service design domain. Focus on clarity, engagement, and alignment with apprenticeship standards.

• Coaching Scenario: A role-playing exercise or a discussion about how you would approach coaching an apprentice facing specific challenges or needing to apply a particular service design concept.

• Process Improvement Discussion: Be prepared to discuss how you would improve a specific aspect of the apprenticeship delivery process, drawing on your experience in operations and learning development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is fairly standard, but the portfolio review will be critical. Candidates should proactively prepare examples that demonstrate their blend of service design expertise, curriculum development skills, coaching ability, and understanding of adult learning principles within an operational context. The "challenge preparation" section focuses on practical demonstrations of these skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Learning Management System (LMS) / Digital Learning Platform: Likely a core tool for content hosting, learner tracking, and communication. Knowledge of platforms like Moodle, Canvas, or proprietary systems would be beneficial.

• Collaboration Suites: Microsoft 365 (Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive) or Google Workspace (Docs, Drive, Meet) for document creation, sharing, and virtual meetings.

• Design & Prototyping Tools: Tools commonly used in Service Design, such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Miro, Mural, or similar for collaborative design, journey mapping, and prototyping.

Analytics & Reporting:

• LMS Analytics: Understanding how to extract and interpret data from the LMS regarding learner engagement, progress, and completion rates.

• Spreadsheet Software: Advanced proficiency in Excel or Google Sheets for data analysis, tracking, and reporting on learner metrics and programme performance.

• Business Intelligence (BI) Tools (Potentially): Familiarity with BI tools like Tableau or Power BI could be an advantage for more advanced reporting and dashboard creation, though likely not a primary requirement.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM System (Indirect Relevance): While not directly managing sales, understanding how CRM data might inform learner profiles or employer engagement could be useful. Familiarity with major CRMs (Salesforce, HubSpot) is a general operational asset.

• Project Management Tools: Tools like Asana, Trello, Jira, or Monday.com might be used for managing curriculum development projects or operational tasks.

• Communication Platforms: Slack or Microsoft Teams for real-time team communication and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for this role will be centered around digital learning delivery and collaboration. Proficiency with LMS platforms and collaborative design tools is essential. Experience with data analysis for learning outcomes and general productivity tools is also highly relevant for this operations-focused role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Authenticity: Upholding genuine interactions and transparent communication in all dealings with learners, employers, and colleagues. This translates to honest feedback and genuine support.

• High-Quality Learning: A commitment to excellence in curriculum design, delivery, and learner support, ensuring programmes are rigorous, relevant, and effective. This drives operational standards for content and pedagogy.

• Meaningful Impact: Focusing on creating tangible positive outcomes for learners and organizations, ensuring that the operational efforts translate into real-world skill development and career progression.

• Curiosity & Passion for Learning: An intrinsic drive to explore new ideas, stay updated in service design and learning methodologies, and foster a continuous learning mindset among the team and learners.

• Ownership & Quality Delivery: Taking responsibility for tasks and outcomes, ensuring work is completed to a high standard and deadlines are met, which is crucial for operational reliability.

• Collaboration & Support: Working effectively with colleagues, sharing knowledge, and offering assistance to ensure team success and a positive, supportive work environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role necessitates close collaboration with curriculum innovation, digital learning, and broader operations teams, requiring clear communication and alignment on programme goals.

• Learner-Centric Approach: All interactions with learners should be supportive, encouraging, and focused on their development journey, reflecting a service-oriented operational mindset.

• Employer Engagement: Building strong relationships with employers to understand their needs and ensure the apprenticeship programme effectively meets them, requiring proactive communication and partnership.

• Feedback-Driven Improvement: An openness to constructive feedback from learners, employers, and colleagues, using it to refine curriculum, delivery methods, and operational processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: KnowledgeBrief's stated values directly inform the expected culture for operations professionals. An emphasis on authenticity, quality, and impact suggests a results-oriented yet supportive environment. Collaboration is key, requiring strong communication and a willingness to work across different functional areas to achieve shared goals in learner development.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Content Development and Coaching: Effectively managing time to develop high-quality curriculum while also delivering engaging coaching sessions and conducting learner reviews.

• Remote Engagement: Maintaining strong, personal connections and effective learning engagement with apprentices remotely, overcoming potential isolation or communication barriers.

• Keeping Pace with Industry Trends: Ensuring the service design curriculum remains current with rapidly evolving methodologies, tools, and best practices in the field.

• Navigating Apprenticeship Compliance: Adhering to the complex regulatory and compliance requirements associated with apprenticeship standards and funding.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen Service Design Expertise: Access to CPD time and potentially internal resources to explore advanced service design techniques, new tools, or emerging trends.

• Instructional Design & Digital Learning Skills: Opportunities to enhance skills in digital content creation, e-learning authoring tools, and innovative pedagogical approaches for online delivery.

• Apprenticeship Quality Assurance: Potential to gain further qualifications or experience in assessment and quality assurance, opening doors to more senior roles in programme management.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Opportunities to mentor junior coaches or developers, and potentially move into leadership roles within the curriculum or operations teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents challenges typical of specialized operational roles in education – balancing diverse responsibilities, managing remote teams, and staying current. However, the growth opportunities are significant for those looking to build a career in EdTech operations, specializing in apprenticeship development and delivery.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Curriculum Design Approach: "Describe your process for developing a new learning module for an apprenticeship, from understanding the standard to delivering the final content. How do you ensure it meets both the standard and learner needs?" (Focus on process, alignment, and learner-centricity).

• Coaching Philosophy: "How do you approach coaching apprentices to apply theoretical concepts like service blueprints in their actual workplace? Can you share an example of a challenging coaching situation and how you resolved it?" (Focus on practical application, adult learning, and problem-solving).

• Service Design Application: "Walk us through a service design project you led or significantly contributed to. What was the problem, what methodologies did you use, and what was the measurable impact?" (Focus on methodology, impact, and storytelling).

Company & Culture Questions:

• Values Alignment: "How do KnowledgeBrief's values (authenticity, high-quality learning, meaningful impact) resonate with your own work philosophy? Can you provide an example of how you've embodied these values in a previous role?" (Focus on personal alignment and behavioral examples).

• Remote Collaboration: "What strategies do you use to ensure effective collaboration and maintain strong relationships with colleagues and learners in a remote-first environment?" (Focus on communication, proactivity, and tool utilization).

• Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success of your curriculum development and coaching efforts? What metrics are important to you, and how do you report on them?" (Focus on data-driven assessment and operational reporting).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio by key skill areas (Curriculum Design, Coaching, Service Design Application) or by project. For each item, clearly state the context, your role, the challenge, your approach (methodologies, tools), and the outcome/impact.

• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your work. For coaching, this might be learner progression rates; for curriculum, it could be learner feedback scores or engagement metrics.

• Showcase Process: Highlight your thought process and methodology. For curriculum, show your outline and key content pieces. For coaching, describe your approach to assessment and feedback. For service design, use diagrams and user flows.

• Tailor to Role: Emphasize examples most relevant to the Service Designer apprenticeship and the operational aspects of curriculum delivery and learner support.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for this role should focus on demonstrating a blend of technical service design skills, pedagogical expertise, and operational execution. Candidates should be ready to articulate their processes, showcase past successes with quantifiable results, and demonstrate how they align with KnowledgeBrief's values and operational approach.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your CV via BambooHR through the provided link.

• Curate Your CV for Operations: Ensure your CV clearly highlights achievements related to curriculum development, adult learning, coaching, and service design. Use keywords from the job description and quantify your impact wherever possible (e.g., "Improved learner completion rates by 15% through targeted coaching").

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 strong examples that showcase your curriculum design process, coaching methodology, and application of service design principles. Be ready to discuss these in detail, focusing on process, challenges, and outcomes.

• Research KnowledgeBrief: Understand their mission, values, and approach to learning and development. Prepare to discuss how your skills and experience align with their operational goals and company culture.

• Practice Interview Responses: Rehearse answers to common interview questions, particularly those related to your experience in adult education, coaching, service design, and remote collaboration. Use the STAR method for behavioral questions.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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