About Us: Transforming lives through learning for over 30 years. Our teams work in education consultancy, professional development, early-years & primary tutoring, digital learning and publishing to improve learning for everyone.
Director of Creative Innovation (Learning)
Salary: £65,000 – £70,000
Location: Hybrid
Cognition is seeking an ambitious and visionary Director of Creative Innovation (Learning) to lead creative, digital and product innovation across the group. This is a senior leadership role for an experienced innovator who can turn bold ideas into scalable, client‑ready learning solutions that deliver clear value and impact. Guided by our principles to Be agile, Be better, Be ambitious and Be impactful, you will shape the organisation’s approach to creative innovation, learning products and user experience—ensuring learning design, technology and commercial outcomes come together seamlessly.
The role
- Set the strategic direction for creative and product innovation across Cognition
- Lead and develop the Digital Design and UX teams, ensuring high‑quality, user‑centred learning solutions
- Oversee the Innovation Hub, empowering cross‑functional teams to experiment, prototype and scale ideas
- Translate emerging technologies (including AI, immersive and interactive learning) into ethical, practical and scalable learning products
- Work in close partnership with IT & Digital Transformation to ensure robust technical delivery
- Collaborate with Learning Experience Design, Commercial and Business Development teams to strengthen client‑facing solutions
- Represent Cognition in priority client engagements, proposals and innovation discussions
Requirements
What you’ll bring
- You will be a strategic and creative leader with:
- Senior‑level experience leading learning innovation, product development or creative innovation
- Strong expertise in digital learning design, UX and user‑centred design methodologies
- Experience building and leading digital design and UX teams
- A proven track record of taking concepts through to scalable, client‑ready products or services
- Confidence working across creative, learning, commercial and technical teams
- Strong communication, influencing and stakeholder‑management skills
- A passion for ethical, evidence‑led innovation that improves learning impact
Why join Cognition?
- Shape the future of digital learning and innovation at a group level
- Lead high‑impact products, services and intellectual property development
- Hybrid working with Manchester as your collaboration base
- A values‑led culture that supports experimentation, ambition and growth
How To Apply
Please submit your CV and a cover letter (maximum two pages) outlining how you meet the criteria set out in the Person Specification. All applications must be submitted via our application portal Cognition Learning Group - Director of Creative Innovation (Learning) in Manchester. We will not accept CVs emailed through any job boards.
Closing date: Friday 15 May 2026 at 5:00pm.
Interviews: Week commencing 25 May 2026.
Please note: the vacancy may close early subject to the volume of applications received.
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