Lecturer & Programme Lead: Esports (Gaming)

Location:

Sunderland

Salary:

£30,168 to £39,338 per annum pro rata

Post Type:

Part Time

Hours per Week:

29.6

Contract Type:

Permanent

Closing Date:

23.59 hours GMT on Monday 24 November 2025

Reference:

R2

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 recognize 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 an innovative and dynamic educator with a strong background in Esports, Digital Media, and related technologies, capable of inspiring and supporting learners across Level 2, Level 3, and Higher Education. The successful candidate will be a confident and engaging teaching practitioner who can deliver both practical and theoretical content, promoting excellence, progress, and professionalism within a rapidly growing and future-focused sector.

You will demonstrate strong industry awareness and an understanding of the performance, business, and digital ecosystems that underpin Esports. The ideal candidate will be passionate about developing employability, digital fluency, and teamwork skills through the delivery of an engaging and industry-relevant curriculum.

About the Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a passionate and skilled Lecturer and Programme Lead in Esports to deliver and lead on our expanding provision across Level 2, Level 3, and Higher Education.

Teaching will be based at our Bede Campus within the Arts Academy and at the National Esports Performance Campus (NEPC) in Sunderland city centre — a purpose-built facility that connects education, training, and the professional Esports industry.

The successful candidate will teach, assess, and lead high-quality programmes exploring Esports performance, production, event management, and the wider digital sector. You will play a key role in shaping the future of Esports education at Sunderland College, working closely with industry partners, professional teams, and digital specialists to ensure learners gain the most relevant skills and experiences for progression into employment or higher study.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Design and deliver engaging, industry-focused learning experiences within Esports and digital technologies.
• Support learners to develop technical, strategic, and organisational skills aligned with the professional Esports environment.
• Contribute to curriculum development, assessment strategies, and enrichment activities that reflect current and emerging industry trends.
• Collaborate with colleagues and industry professionals to enhance learner employability and progression pathways.
• Provide constructive feedback, mentoring, and academic guidance to support learner achievement and confidence.
• Participate in programme review, quality assurance, and continuous improvement activities.
• Maintain a strong awareness of developments across the Esports, gaming, and digital media industries.

Essential Skills

• A background in Esports, Games, Sport, Business or Digital Media, demonstrated through industry experience or a relevant qualification
• Ability to deliver creative, inclusive, and inspiring teaching across a range of levels and learner abilities.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
• A proactive and reflective approach to teaching, ensuring learners receive outstanding support and challenge throughout their studies.

Qualifications

A teaching qualification is desirable but not essential; applicants without one must be willing to work towards it.

What's in it for you?

Join EPNE and you'll be part of a culture that prioritizes your development and wellbeing, which is why all employees receive an extensive benefits package.

• Enjoy a generous holiday allowance days per year, plus public holidays).
• Generous family leave and flexible working options (dependent on role)
• LGPS or Teacher Pensions Scheme, (dependent on role 15.7% %)
• Access to myLifestyle benefits platform providing retail discounts and more.
• We offer dental, eye care & health cash plans.
• Extensive wellbeing support through a digital Wellbeing Hub that offers a broad range of support for physical, mental, and financial wellbeing.
• Free parking on most campuses.

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 - should you wish to have an informal chat about the role.