Head Of Learning & Development in Manchester

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 leading them.

Learning and Development (L&D) is more than just a function; it’s a key enabler of our people strategy. It supports our ability to attract, develop and retain talented people who take pride in their work and successfully deliver for our business. Effective L&D underpins quality and productivity by supporting our people to develop the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their work, helping them reach their personal and professional potential.

Our firmwide L&D function works hand-in-hand with the business to pinpoint and address learning needs, developing and delivering innovative, high-quality and commercially viable learning and development opportunities that enable both individual growth of our people and achievement of our firm’s strategic priorities, all whilst adhering to the regulatory standards expected of us as a professional services firm.

Our goal is to cultivate a learning culture that equips our people with the knowledge and skills they need to achieve their personal and professional aspirations alongside delivering excellence for our clients. Our team of L&D professionals spans across a number of BDO offices, with a significant presence in our vibrant London office. Regular travel to London and other locations will be required.

Here is your chance to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of learning strategy by joining our leadership team. We are seeking a talented, high-performing and ambitious senior manager to join our team in one of our leadership positions.

The work we do is underpinned by quality. We deliver audits which are trusted and transparent which can be relied upon by companies and their stakeholders. You’ll be someone who is comfortable working proactively and managing your own tasks as well as confident collaborating with others and communicating regularly with Senior Managers, Directors, and BDO’s Partners. You’ll help deliver accurate and transparent reporting to all relevant stakeholders as you provide long term value.

Role overview

The Head of L&D role is a senior leadership role responsible for managing the firmwide L&D function. Initially, the role will primarily focus on supporting the Audit stream, with a view to expanding across other streams over time, with future activities informed by a detailed learning needs analysis exercise to be performed shortly. Reporting to the Director of L&D, this role involves collaborating with other central teams to deliver effective, high-quality learning aligned with strategic priorities.

Why Join Us?

• Strategic Influence: Play a key role in shaping L&D strategy, ensuring learning meets individual and business needs, supports strategic priorities and meets compliance requirements.
• Innovative Environment: Join a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Leadership Role: Work directly with senior stakeholders to achieve strategic and operational goals.
• Professional Growth: Coach and support the team and represent BDO at external events.

You'll be responsible for:

• Leading the day-to-day operations of the L&D function, collaborating with the Head of Professional Qualification, Head of Talent & Leadership and other people teams to ensure our learning offering is cohesive and aligned with strategic objectives.
• Developing and maintaining L&D curriculums (firmwide and stream-wide), informed by the learning needs analysis, including core technical learning, skill learning, milestone programmes and ad hoc programmes.
• Managing priorities to ensure delivery of agreed curriculums on time and to expected quality standards.
• Supporting with regulatory compliance including developing responses to formal and informal queries and directly engaging with the firm’s regulators where needed.
• Ongoing engagement with central teams and the individual streams to identify emerging L&D needs and develop effective responses.
• Maintaining quality assurance procedures for learning and development across BDO.
• Overseeing the operation of systems, controls and processes across the learning cycle.
• Establishing metrics to measure learning effectiveness and managing risk.
• Handling budgeting and ongoing financial management.
• Bringing innovation, tools and the latest design thinking into our learning offering.
• Providing insight into the latest thinking and best practice across L&D.
• Advocating L&D activities and promoting a strong learning culture.

Initial role responsibilities

Initial role responsibilities will be focused on leading delivery of the Audit required learning curriculum. Over time, the remit of this role will evolve, informed by the detailed learning needs analysis, and it is expected to broaden to include both firmwide and other stream learning.

You’ll be someone who with:

• Experience as a Senior Manager, preferably with a Learning & Development background.
• Strong understanding of Audit and the regulatory environment.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders and suppliers.
• Proven ability to influence and drive forward strategic projects.
• Strong project management skills and ability to prioritise.
• Critical thinking and pragmatic problem-solving skills.
• Commercial mindset with a focus on operational excellence.
• Commitment to quality and excellence in delivery.
• Strong leadership skills, including an ability to coach, develop and inspire people.
• Professionalism and gravitas to represent the firm among senior leaders.
• Collaborative mindset and alignment with BDO Values.
• Excellent analytical, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Understanding of business strategy and goals.

You’ll be able to be yourself; we’ll recognise and value you for who you are and celebrate and reward your contributions to our business. We’re committed to agile working, and we offer everyone the opportunity to work in ways that suit them, their teams, and the task at hand.

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 are 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.

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 and satisfying experiences at work, 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.