L&D Course Designer and Instructor
Posting Start Date: 8 Sept 2026
Location: BRISTOL, Gloucestershire, GB, BS34 8JH
Company: Serco Plc
L&D Course Designer and Instructor
Serco - Armed Forces Recruitment Service
FTC 12 months, Full Time
Hybrid Working - MOD Abbey Wood base location, with travel to Army HQ in Andover, and working from home 2-3 days a week.
Up to £40,000 per annum + Corporate Benefits Package
At Serco, we are proud to partner with the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) in providing critical recruitment services for the UK’s Armed Forces. This new approach will, for the first time, see the Royal Navy, the British Army, and the Royal Air Force have a joint Armed Forces Recruitment Service (AFRS). Delivered through a partnership of the MOD, Serco, and our consortium of partners, this service will provide end-to-end support from candidate attraction to assessment, onboarding, and Phase 1 training. Our team brings together best-in-class integrated technology and specialist partners to offer a holistic recruitment and skills solution for the UK Armed Forces, designed to modernise and improve the overall candidate experience. We are driven by the values of doing the right thing for our people, the MOD, His Majesty’s Government (HMG), broader society, and the candidates we source.
We are recruiting for a Learning & Development Course Designer and Instructor to join our Armed Forces Recruitment Service (AFRS) contract. This is a diverse role where you will be responsible for designing, developing, delivering and maintaining high-quality learning solutions for AFRS civilian and service personnel. This role creates engaging blended learning—eLearning, videos, guides, workshops, and systems training—while ensuring alignment with Defence Systems Approach to Training (DSAT), business needs, and external quality standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and deliver blended learning solutions including face-to-face, virtual instructor-led training (VILT), digital, and workplace learning
- Translate business needs and subject matter expert input into structured, learner-focused designs aligned to Defence Systems Approach to Training (DSAT)
- Produce high-quality design documentation including storyboards, scripts, lesson plans, and facilitator guides
- Collaborate with digital designers and developers to create engaging, accessible learning content
- Partner with stakeholders to shape learning requirements, challenge assumptions, and ensure relevance and accuracy
- Support delivery planning, quality assurance, and continuous improvement using learner feedback and performance data
Skills & Experience
- Strong knowledge of course design, LMS platforms, and digital learning tools.
- Instructional/Teaching qualification (preferably DSAT aligned) to a minimum standard of a L3 recognised qualification.
- Understanding of L&D models, blended learning, and user-centred design.
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and organisational skills.
- Ability to work creatively, manage priorities, and drive continuous improvement.
- Commercial L&D experience desirable.
- Experience of DSAT is desirable.
- The ability to gain BPSS and SC clearance is required; UK travel as needed.
Why Serco
We support essential public services. In AFRS, your work directly improves capability, readiness, and performance for service personnel and civilian employees. You’re not just designing learning - you’re strengthening national defence outcomes.
Vetting and checks:
This role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance, which involves verifying your identity, employment history, nationality, and criminal record to meet government security standards. In addition, depending on the nature of the role, you may need to obtain formal Security Clearance (such as CTC or SC), which includes more detailed background checks on employment, criminal record, and financial history to ensure suitability for working in secure environments. Please note that UK residency requirements may apply for certain levels of clearance. You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire so we can identify and provide any support you may need to undertake the role effectively.
Discover all you need to keep growing
We’re one of the top 1% of international employers, so you can have confidence you’ll be part of a highly supportive culture with leaders you can count on to help you achieve your goals. From mentoring and training to our focus on internal progression, we’re proud to offer clear development opportunities – and the support and tools to help you seize them.
What we offer
- Holidays: 25 days plus bank holidays
- Pension: Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
- Training and development: Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships, mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression
- Health and wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
- Discounts: Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
- Charity: Paid volunteering day, tax-free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity
- Employee networks: Our networks support inclusion and connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, veterans, and people from all cultural backgrounds
Let’s impact a better future, together. Apply today.
A little bit about us:
At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure and Citizen Services, we’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on. Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation and Pride, our people make meaningful impact, every single day.
Our inclusive recruitment commitment:
We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, the Top Great British Employer of Veterans 2026, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.
- Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.
- Ban The Box: We also support fair access for those with unspent criminal convictions through our ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some roles may have security exemptions).
For support with your application, please contact recruitmentuk@serco.com.
Let’s impact a better future, together. Apply today.
defencejobs