At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage and improve talent and leadership programmes, ensuring high-quality delivery and participant experience.
- Company: Join BDO, a leading accountancy and business advisory firm with a people-centred culture.
- Benefits: Access to career development resources, agile working, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Dynamic workplace with opportunities for continuous learning and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of businesses while developing your own skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing learning or talent programmes and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
We’re BDO, an accountancy and business advisory firm, providing the advice and solutions entrepreneurial organisations need to navigate today’s changing world. We work with the companies that are Britain’s economic engine – ambitious, entrepreneurially-spirited and high growth businesses that fuel the economy - and directly advise the owners and management teams that lead them.
Our greatest asset is our people, so our HR team focus on ensuring we are all reaching our potential. They use their specialist expertise to help us attract great talent, enable our employees to succeed and inspire a unified culture of development across our firm. By playing a role in the recruitment and management of our people, they help change lives and influence the future of BDO.
Leading organisations trust us because of the quality of our advice. That quality grows from a thorough understanding of their business, and that understanding comes from working closely with them and building long-lasting relationships. You’ll be someone who is both comfortable working pro-actively and managing your own tasks, as well as confident collaborating with others and communicating regularly with senior managers, directors, and BDO’s partners to help businesses effectively. You’ll be encouraged to identify and draw attention to opportunities for enhancing our delivery and providing additional services to organisations we work with.
The Talent & Leadership (T&L) team plays a strategic role in developing and sustaining the firm’s leadership pipeline. As a Talent & Leadership Assistant Manager, you will play a pivotal role in the successful delivery and continuous improvement of the firm's Talent & Leadership portfolio of work - including but not limited to development programmes, assessment activities, and broader talent initiatives. Working closely with Programme Managers, Senior Managers and key stakeholders across the business, you will be responsible for the operational management and governance of the team’s portfolio, ensuring a seamless and high-quality experience for participants, stakeholders, and programme faculty.
This role leads the operational delivery of Talent & Leadership programmes from planning through to evaluation, ensuring initiatives are delivered efficiently, on time, within budget and to a high standard. It involves managing programme operations, stakeholder engagement and continuous improvement activities, while supporting the delivery of assessment and development initiatives that enhance participant experience and business impact. Working closely with colleagues across People, Culture & Purpose, the Partnership Office and the wider business, as well as external providers, the role builds strong relationships to ensure programmes are aligned, integrated and support broader business objectives.
The position also uses data, insights and feedback to inform decision-making, evaluate effectiveness and drive ongoing improvements across the Talent & Leadership portfolio. The role reports to the Talent & Leadership Programme Manager.
You’ll be someone with:
- Proven experience managing learning, talent, leadership or people development programmes, with strong project and programme management skills across planning, governance, risk management and delivery.
- Experience working within Learning & Development, Talent, Leadership or Centre of Excellence environments, supporting programmes involving senior leaders, executives and Partner-level stakeholders.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across the business and work collaboratively with external vendors, facilitators and coaching providers.
- Experience managing programme budgets, financial processes, reporting and learning technologies, with the ability to analyse data and translate insights into meaningful management information and recommendations.
- Highly organised and detail-oriented, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, sound judgement and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Continuous improvement mindset, using data, feedback and innovation to enhance programme effectiveness, operational efficiency and stakeholder experience.
At BDO, we’ll help you achieve your personal goals and career ambitions, and we have programmes, resources, and frameworks that provide clarity and structure around career development. Mutual support and respect is one of BDO’s core values and we’re proud of our distinctive, people-centred culture. From informal success conversations to formal mentoring and coaching, we’ll support you at every stage in your career, whatever your personal and professional needs.
Our agile working framework helps us stay connected, bringing teams together where and when it counts so they can share ideas and help one another. At BDO, you’ll always have access to the people and resources you need to do your best work. We know that collaboration is the key to creating value for the companies we work with and satisfying experiences for our colleagues, so we’ve invested in state-of-the-art collaboration spaces in our offices. BDO’s people represent a wealth of knowledge and expertise, and we’ll encourage you to build your network, work alongside others, and share your skills and experiences. With a range of multidisciplinary events and dedicated resources, you’ll never stop learning at BDO.
At BDO, we help entrepreneurial businesses to succeed, fuelling the UK economy. Our success is powered by our people, which is why we’re always finding new ways to invest in you. Across the UK thousands of unique minds continue to come together to help companies we work with to achieve their ambitions. We’ve got a clear purpose, and we’re confident in our future, because we’re adapting and evolving to build on our strengths, ensuring we continue to find the right combination of global reach, integrity and expertise. We shape the future together with openness and clarity, because we believe in empowering people to think creatively about how we can do things better.
Assistant Programme Manager – Talent & Leadership employer: BDO UK
As an Audit Learning and Development Assistant Manager/Manager, you will thrive in a dynamic work culture that prioritises innovation and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through tailored learning interventions and the opportunity to engage with diverse stakeholders across multiple locations, including regular travel to London. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive environment that champions professional development and operational excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Programme Manager – Talent & Leadership
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at BDO UK!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at BDO UK.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Programme Manager – Talent & Leadership
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at BDO UK. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to BDO UK and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at BDO UK. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to BDO UK's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at BDO UK
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with BDO UK.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at BDO UK will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact BDO UK and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
