Job Description

Post: Learning Manager – Maternity Cover Grade: 9 Ref: i9

Centre: WWT London Wetland Centre Directorate: Centre Operations

Reporting to: General Manager

Main function of the post: To be responsible for the implementation of WWT

formal and non-formal Learning for Life programmes at the WWT London
Wetland Centre (LWC). To contribute to the development of said programmes
in WWT collegiate fora and working groups.

Supervisory Responsibility: All LWC Learning Department staff and

volunteers. This position also involves duty management responsibilities.

Hours worked: 37.5 hours per week; occasional evening and weekend work
required. Fixed-term contract to cover maternity leave.

Main duties of the post:

General
1. To be responsible for the implementation of WWT Learning for Life
programmes (formal learning, non-formal learning, global CEPA
(communication, education and public awareness)) at the WWT LWC

2. To be responsible for the effective management of the WWT LWC

Learning Department including the management of staff, volunteers,
learning spaces, resources and budget. Staff management includes the
setting objectives and appraisals.

3. To be responsible for ensuring that WWT’s learning standards and

appropriate policy guidelines are met.

4. To be responsible for the management of the WWT LWC Learning

Department business planning process including strategic planning,
forecasting and zero-based phased budgeting.

5. To be responsible (with others) for ensuring that the LWC operates as a

learning environment. The aim being to maximise the effectiveness of
both cognitive and affective experiential learning for all visitors, staff and
volunteers.

6. To manage the training and development of WWT LWC Learning staff

and volunteers.
 7. To assist fundraising initiatives for LWC learning-related projects.

Non-formal learning
1. To be responsible for the effective management of non-formal learning-
based events and activities at the LWC in accordance with appropriate
WWT Policies, Learning Standards, five year Strategic Plan, and HQ
guidance.

2. To assist in the effective management of other LWC events and activities

(e.g. marketing or funding led etc.) as needed.

3. To be responsible for ensuring that all LWC interpretation meets WWT’s

agreed Standards.

4. To facilitate evaluative research programmes to assess the effectiveness

of WWT non-formal learning programmes (exhibitory, interpretation,
events, activities).

5. To be responsible for managing the design, installation and evaluation of

seasonal LWC activity trails.

6. To assist WWT participatory outreach programmes as and when they

arise.

7. To manage general conservation information enquiries to LWC.

8. To contribute to the overall development of WWT non-formal learning

programmes at centre and whole Trust level (e.g. through Learning
Manager meetings and other fora.

Formal learning
1. To be responsible for the effective management of formal learning
programmes at the LWC in accordance with appropriate WWT Policies,
Learning Standards, five-year Strategic Plan, and HQ guidance. This
includes preschool, primary, secondary and tertiary education provision
as well as data capture and reporting duties as directed by the Formal
Learning Programme Manager. May require direct teaching during busy
periods.

2. To be especially responsible for managing the Greater London Authority

(GLA) scheme to subsidise Greater London state school entry to LWC.
This includes appropriate budgeting, marketing and reporting as directed
by the GLA and WWT.

3. To facilitate evaluative research into the effectiveness of WWT formal

learning programmes.
 4. To contribute to the overall development of WWT formal learning
programmes at centre and whole Trust level (e.g. through Learning
Manager meetings and development workshops).

Global CEPA
1. To assist in the work of Wetland Link International (WLI) by ensuring
that WWT LWC is an active member and welcomes colleagues from
centres worldwide.

Miscellaneous
1. As agreed with the General Manager, act as Duty Manager and Site
Controller for the LWC as part of the operations rota. This will include
evenings and weekends.

In addition to the duties and responsibilities listed, the post holder is required
to perform any other reasonable duties that may be assigned by the supervisor
shown above, from time to time.

Date raised: 19 October 2009 Date Amended: 17

November 2009

Signed by Post holder:

Date of signature:
Person Specification

1. Qualifications

Essential:
Educated to degree level or equivalent
Post graduate learning qualification (e.g. teaching, museum
diploma). Equivalent experience will be considered

Desirable:
First aid qualification.

2. Experience

Essential:
Experience in a teaching and learning environment.
Management and development of staff and volunteers.
Sound understanding of teaching and learning issues in formal and
non-formal contexts.

Desirable:
An interest in nature conservation and environmental issues.
Experience working for a visitor attraction.

3. Managerial & Supervisory

Essential:
Ability to set objectives, define priorities and allocate duties within
the Learning Department.
Ability to build, motivate and manage a team.
Ability to set objectives, carry out staff appraisals and disciplinary
interviews for all London Wetland Centre Learning Department staff
and learning volunteers.
Ability to manage the training and development of Learning
department staff and volunteers

Type of staff Number

managed or
supervised
Permanent Staff 8
Supervised / Managed 4
Volunteers / Casual 10
Workers

4. Responsibility

Essential:
 Ability to act independently with a high degree of professional
competence.
The successful applicant should demonstrate ability to have a high
impact within the London Wetland Centre by influencing and
advocacy skills.
There will be opportunities for external impact by working with
partners within the education sector.
Ability to manage a budget of over £100,000 (including payroll)

Levels of financial responsibility

Type of Responsibility Level (£’s)

Expenditure (exc payroll) £1000
Cash Handling £1000
Assets (required for job, exc PC, telephone, use of a
buildings) photocopier & printer, 2 way
radio, office desk, WWT fleece,
T-shirt, set of centre keys.
Visitors (per annum) 220,000 total for the centre,
of which 23,000 are education
visitors

5. Creative Ability

Essential:
A high ability to originate ideas and bring creative thought,

6. Contact

Essential:
High ability to initiate and manage non-routine contact with
other departments dealing with issues of Education interest and
with outside bodies/public.
Communication skills and ability to present a prepared case to a
group.