In 1973, Bryan became a teacher of chemistry in Boston, Lincolnshire then a Doctor of Philosophy in science education.
In 1978 he returned to teaching in Bury, Lancashire. In Cornwall he entered local government in 1980 working in Dorset and Devon.
Bryan became Director of Education for Norfolk in 1997. He was Vice Chair, and then Chair of the Association of Chief Education Officers during this time in Norfolk.
Since 2005 Bryan has operated as an independent management consultant.