Learning Design Consultant (Contract – UK)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Learning Design Consultant (Contract – UK)

Company: Curio Group

Location: London, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: Learning & Development Operations / Education Consulting

Date Posted: 2026-05-27T03:54:59

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Remote Solely

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop high-quality, learner-centered online learning experiences for university and corporate clients.

• Apply pedagogical expertise to curriculum, learning activity, and assessment design within digital environments.

• Collaborate closely with subject matter experts (SMEs), academics, and client stakeholders to build effective and engaging learning solutions.

• Manage multiple concurrent projects, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to stringent quality standards in line with UK higher education frameworks.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a contract position, requiring a flexible approach and the ability to deliver on a project-by-project basis. The focus on "learner-centred experiences" and "impactful learning solutions" indicates a strong emphasis on user experience (UX) principles within the learning design context, a key area for operations professionals in the L&D space. The requirement to align with "UK higher education standards" suggests a need for familiarity with regulatory and quality assurance frameworks within the education sector.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Partner with Curio project teams and clients to conceptualize, design, and develop exceptional online learning experiences.

• Leverage pedagogical expertise to craft effective curriculum structures, engaging learning activities, and robust assessments across diverse subject areas.

• Facilitate collaborative design sessions with subject matter experts, academics, and client stakeholders to co-create innovative and impactful learning solutions.

• Contribute to the successful delivery of multiple concurrent projects, diligently managing timelines, quality benchmarks, and client expectations.

• Produce high-quality, student-facing content meticulously aligned with relevant frameworks, particularly UK higher education standards.

• Provide strategic input into learning design strategy, foster innovation, and drive continuous improvement initiatives across the project portfolio.

• Operate effectively within a distributed team environment, utilizing digital collaboration tools to maintain seamless communication and workflow.

• Proactively identify potential project risks or challenges and contribute to the development and implementation of effective solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "co-design" and "collaboration" highlights the importance of strong interpersonal and facilitation skills, crucial for operations roles that bridge technical design with human expertise. The responsibility to "identify risks or challenges" and "contribute to solutions" points to a proactive, problem-solving mindset expected from operational consultants.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Postgraduate qualification in education, learning design, or a related field is desirable.

Experience: Demonstrated experience (typically 5+ years) in learning design, with a significant focus on higher education, online learning, or corporate learning environments.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in designing and developing online and blended learning content.

• Solid understanding of learning theories, pedagogy, and their practical application in digital learning environments.

• Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS) such as Canvas, Moodle, or Blackboard.

• Excellent stakeholder management abilities, with a demonstrated capacity to engage effectively with academics and senior client stakeholders.

• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and multiple projects concurrently.

• High level of written communication proficiency, demonstrated through the creation of clear, engaging, and learner-facing materials.

• Ability to work independently while seamlessly integrating into a broader project team.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with UK or European higher education institutions.

• Exposure to EdTech tools, interactive media, or innovative digital learning approaches.

• Experience contributing to proposals or early-stage solution design for educational projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of "5+ years" positions this as a mid-to-senior level consultant role. The specific mention of LMS platforms like Canvas, Moodle, and Blackboard indicates a need for practical, hands-on experience rather than just theoretical knowledge, which is common in operations-focused roles. The preference for experience with UK/European institutions and EdTech tools suggests a desire for candidates with a specialized understanding of the educational technology landscape.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase of successful online and blended learning projects, detailing design process from inception to delivery.

• Examples of curriculum design, learning activity development, and assessment strategies, highlighting pedagogical rationale.

• Evidence of stakeholder collaboration and co-design processes, demonstrating effective communication and integration.

• Case studies illustrating the application of learning theories and their impact on learner engagement and outcomes.

Process Documentation:

• Documentation of learning design methodologies employed, including instructional design models (e.g., ADDIE, SAM).

• Exemplars of workflow management and project planning for concurrent design projects.

• Evidence of quality assurance processes applied to learning content and design outputs.

• Records of iterative design processes, including feedback integration and refinement cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: As this is a contract role, a robust portfolio is critical to demonstrate immediate value and capability. The emphasis on "process documentation" and "workflow management" is key for operations roles, showing an ability to not just design, but to manage and scale the design process efficiently. Highlighting experience with specific instructional design models will be advantageous.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a contract position, compensation will be project-dependent and negotiated based on experience, project scope, and duration. For a Learning Design Consultant with 5-10 years of experience in London, UK, contract rates typically range from £400 to £700 per day, depending on the complexity of the project and the specific skills required.

Benefits:

• Contract-based engagement offering flexibility and project variety.

• Opportunity to work with a leading education consulting firm on transformative projects.

• Potential for ongoing work across multiple projects based on performance and business needs.

• Remote working arrangement providing work-life balance and autonomy.

• Collaboration with a global team across the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.

Working Hours: The role is project-driven, offering flexibility. Standard UK working hours (approximately 37.5-40 hours per week) are expected during project delivery phases, with potential for some flexibility depending on client needs and project timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: For contract roles, the "benefits" often translate to flexibility, autonomy, and potential for continuous engagement rather than traditional employee benefits. The estimated daily rate is based on typical UK contract rates for experienced learning design consultants and takes into account the "5+ years" experience level and the London location, which generally commands higher rates.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Education Consulting and Learning Experience Design. Curio Group operates within the rapidly evolving EdTech and higher education services sector, focusing on digital transformation and the creation of impactful learning experiences. This sector demands innovation, adaptability, and a strong understanding of pedagogical best practices coupled with technological enablement.

Company Size: Curio Group is a growing firm with a global presence, likely employing between 50-200 professionals across its various regions (UK, Australia, New Zealand, Asia). This size suggests a dynamic, collaborative environment where individual contributions are highly visible and impactful, yet with established processes and structures to support project delivery.

Founded: Curio Group was founded with a mission to drive change through learning, specializing in educational transformation. While the exact founding date isn't provided, their focus on leading online learning transformation implies a history of adapting to and shaping the digital education landscape.

Team Structure:

• The Learning Design Consultant will be part of Curio’s Learning Services team, likely comprising fellow learning designers, project managers, and instructional technologists.

• The team operates in a distributed manner, requiring strong self-management and digital collaboration skills.

Methodology:

• Curio emphasizes a learner-centric approach, focusing on designing exceptional learning experiences.

• Data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement are likely core tenets, guiding strategy and project execution.

• The company's work involves a blend of strategic consulting and hands-on design and development.

Company Website: https://curiogroup.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's specialization in "online learning transformation" and "exceptional learning experiences" indicates a forward-thinking culture that values innovation and user-centric design. The distributed team structure is a key operational aspect, requiring candidates to be proficient with remote collaboration tools and methodologies.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior individual contributor level within the learning design and operations spectrum. It's for experienced professionals who can operate autonomously on complex projects, provide strategic input, and mentor others implicitly through their work. The "consultant" title implies a role that advises clients and internal teams on best practices.

Reporting Structure: The consultant will report to a Project Manager or a lead within the Learning Services team. Collaboration will be extensive with both internal Curio teams and external client stakeholders, including academics and subject matter experts.

Operations Impact: The Learning Design Consultant's impact is directly tied to the success of client projects in transforming their learning offerings. By designing high-quality, learner-centered experiences, they influence learner engagement, educational outcomes, and ultimately, the client's reputation and effectiveness in the education market. This role bridges the gap between pedagogical theory and practical, scalable learning delivery, a critical operational function.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of learning design, such as immersive technologies (AR/VR), advanced assessment design, or user experience for learning platforms.

• Project Leadership: Transition into project management roles, leading larger initiatives and managing teams of designers.

• Client Strategy: Develop skills in strategic consulting, advising clients on broader learning transformation initiatives beyond individual project design.

• Continuous Learning: Exposure to diverse client projects and emerging EdTech trends provides ongoing opportunities for professional development and staying current with industry best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities highlight a potential career path within Curio Group or the broader education consulting industry, moving from a hands-on design role to leadership or strategic advisory positions. The emphasis on "impactful learning solutions" and "learner engagement" underscores the operational goal of driving measurable results through effective learning design.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote contract position, meaning there is no physical office requirement. The "work environment" is virtual, centered around digital collaboration tools and platforms.

Office Location(s): While the role is UK-based (remote), collaboration may occur across time zones with teams in Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. This necessitates flexibility in working hours to accommodate intercontinental communication.

Workspace Context:

• The primary workspace will be the consultant's own home office, requiring self-discipline and a conducive environment for focused work.

• Access to digital collaboration tools (e.g., video conferencing, project management software, shared document repositories) is paramount for team interaction and project execution.

• The environment fosters autonomy and a results-oriented approach, with success measured by project deliverables and client satisfaction.

Work Schedule: The role is contract-based and project-driven. While flexibility is a key feature, consultants are expected to be available during core UK business hours for essential meetings and collaboration, and potentially outside these hours to accommodate global team interactions or urgent client needs. This requires effective time management and scheduling skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature of this contract role places a high emphasis on self-management, digital literacy, and proactive communication. The "workspace context" points to the need for efficient use of technology and a disciplined approach to managing one's own work schedule and environment to meet project demands.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of CV and portfolio to assess alignment with requirements.

• First Interview: Likely a video call with a hiring manager or senior team member to discuss experience, motivations, and suitability for contract work. Focus on pedagogical approach and project management experience.

• Portfolio Presentation/Case Study: A practical exercise where candidates may be asked to present a selected project from their portfolio, detailing their design process, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and outcomes achieved. This could also involve a short, hypothetical design task.

• Final Interview: May involve meeting with additional team members or a senior leader to discuss fit with Curio's culture and approach, and to finalize terms of engagement.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your experience in higher education or corporate online learning design.

• Highlight Process: For each project, clearly articulate your role, the problem statement, your design methodology (pedagogy, instructional design models), the tools used, the challenges encountered, and the solutions you implemented.

• Showcase Impact: Quantify results where possible (e.g., improved learner engagement scores, successful completion rates, positive feedback). If quantitative data is unavailable, provide qualitative evidence of success.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: If applicable, show examples of how you worked with SMEs, stakeholders, or clients, emphasizing your communication and co-design skills.

• Content Quality: Ensure all presented materials are polished, professional, and error-free.

Challenge Preparation:

• Pedagogical Foundation: Be prepared to discuss your understanding of learning theories and how you apply them practically in digital environments.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Think about common challenges in learning design (e.g., engaging remote learners, working with reluctant SMEs, meeting tight deadlines) and how you would address them.

• Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your experience with LMS platforms and other EdTech tools.

• Contractual Engagement: Understand the nature of contract work and be prepared to discuss your availability, preferred project types, and rate expectations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review and potential case study highlights the practical, results-oriented nature of this role. Candidates should prepare to not just list their skills but to demonstrate them through concrete examples and a clear articulation of their design process and impact. Understanding the nuances of contract work is also crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Learning Management Systems (LMS): Proficiency with platforms such as Canvas, Moodle, and Blackboard is essential. Experience with others like D2L Brightspace or Coursera for Campus would be a plus.

• Authoring Tools: Experience with e-learning authoring tools like Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, or simpler tools for content creation.

• Digital Collaboration Platforms: Tools such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom, Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides), and project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with LMS analytics to track learner progress, engagement, and completion rates.

• Understanding of how to interpret data to inform design improvements.

CRM & Automation: (Less directly applicable to this role, but awareness is beneficial)

• While not a primary requirement, understanding how learning platforms integrate with broader CRM systems or how automated communication within LMSs functions can be advantageous for seamless client integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specific mention of LMS platforms is critical. Candidates should be ready to discuss their level of expertise and experience with each platform listed. Familiarity with a range of digital collaboration and project management tools is also a core requirement for effective remote operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Learner-Centricity: A deep commitment to designing experiences that prioritize the learner's needs, engagement, and success.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Valuing teamwork, open communication, and the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders (internal teams, clients, SMEs).

• Innovation & Quality: A drive to explore new approaches in learning design while maintaining high standards of quality and pedagogical soundness.

• Agility & Adaptability: The capacity to respond effectively to changing project requirements, client needs, and evolving educational technologies.

• Accountability & Professionalism: Taking ownership of projects, delivering on commitments, and maintaining a high level of professional conduct, especially in a contract capacity.

Collaboration Style:

• Remote-First: Embracing digital tools and asynchronous communication where appropriate, while also valuing synchronous virtual meetings for deeper collaboration and relationship building.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Working seamlessly with project managers, subject matter experts, and client teams to achieve shared project goals.

• Feedback-Driven: Openness to constructive feedback on design work and a willingness to iterate based on input from peers, clients, and learners.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "learner-centricity" and "collaboration" aligns with modern operational best practices, where user experience and effective teamwork are paramount. The "agility and adaptability" value is particularly important for contract roles, which often require quick pivots and resourcefulness.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Remote Collaboration: Effectively coordinating with distributed teams and clients across different time zones can be challenging.

• Balancing Project Demands: Juggling multiple concurrent projects with varying deadlines and client expectations requires strong organizational and time management skills.

• Aligning Diverse Stakeholders: Navigating the varying perspectives and requirements of academics, SMEs, and client leadership to achieve consensus on learning design.

• Keeping Pace with EdTech: Continuously learning about new digital tools and pedagogical approaches to maintain cutting-edge design solutions.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Exposure to Diverse Projects: Working with a range of clients (universities, vocational providers, corporations) offers broad experience across different educational contexts.

• Staying Ahead of EdTech Trends: Curio Group's focus on innovation means consultants are exposed to and encouraged to explore new technologies and methodologies in learning design.

• Professional Networking: Opportunities to build relationships with professionals across the global education sector.

• Skill Enhancement: Potential to develop expertise in specialized areas of learning design or project management through varied project assignments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlighted are typical for senior roles in consulting and operations, emphasizing the need for strong soft skills alongside technical expertise. The growth opportunities are framed around continuous learning and broad exposure, which are significant benefits of contract roles in dynamic companies.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex learning design project you managed from conception to completion, highlighting your specific contributions and the pedagogical principles you applied." (Focus on process, pedagogy, and project ownership.)

• "How do you approach collaborating with subject matter experts who may have limited experience with online learning design or digital tools?" (Focus on stakeholder management, communication, and co-design.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Curio Group's mission and your role as a Learning Design Consultant within our organization?" (Focus on alignment with Curio's values and understanding of the company.)

• "How do you ensure your learning designs are learner-centered and meet the specific needs of the target audience?" (Focus on user empathy and design philosophy.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with an executive summary of the project, then delve into the problem, your role and approach, key design decisions, challenges and solutions, and finally, the outcomes and lessons learned.

• Storytelling: Frame your portfolio pieces as narratives that showcase your problem-solving skills and impact, rather than just a list of features.

• Metrics: Be prepared to discuss metrics related to learner engagement, satisfaction, or completion rates, even if they are qualitative. Explain how you would measure success.

• Conciseness: Respect the interviewer's time; be clear, direct, and avoid unnecessary jargon.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice emphasizes demonstrating both technical/pedagogical expertise and strong operational/consulting skills, such as problem-solving, stakeholder management, and strategic thinking. Preparing a compelling narrative for portfolio pieces is crucial for showcasing impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Curio Group careers website.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most impactful learning design projects that best represent your experience in higher education or corporate online learning. Ensure these examples clearly demonstrate your design process, pedagogical approach, and ability to collaborate with stakeholders.

• Optimize Your CV: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords such as "Learning Design," "Pedagogy," "Instructional Design," "Online Learning," "Blended Learning," "LMS Management" (mentioning specific platforms like Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard), "Stakeholder Management," and "Project Management." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your experience and portfolio projects. Be ready to discuss your design philosophy, your approach to challenges, and your comfort working in a remote, contract capacity.

• Research Curio Group: Understand the company's mission, values, and the types of clients they serve. Familiarize yourself with their approach to learning experience design and online learning transformation.

⚠️ 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.