Head of Talent Development in Bristol

We are seeking a Head of Talent Development to lead and deliver the firm’s talent development strategy, ensuring our people have the skills, experience and support needed to succeed as we continue to grow and transform.

This senior leadership role combines strategic direction with operational delivery across three core areas: Apprenticeships and Early Careers, Workday Learning, and wider firm capability development. It plays a critical role in enabling long-term talent capability, supporting business performance, and embedding a culture of continuous learning across the firm.

The role sits within our People function and is key to aligning learning, development and career progression with firm-wide strategic priorities. You will lead a high-performing team, oversee governance and compliance, and ensure development activity delivers measurable value to the organisation.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Apprenticeships & Early Careers
  • Leading and delivering the firm’s apprenticeship and early careers programmes (c.200 apprentices)
  • Overseeing end-to-end delivery including induction, learning design, progress tracking and completion
  • Ensuring compliance with ESFA funding rules, Ofsted expectations and internal governance requirements
  • Working closely with Finance on levy utilisation, forecasting, reconciliations and audit readiness
  • Overseeing safeguarding arrangements in partnership with designated safeguarding leads
  • Leading ongoing development of the apprenticeship model in line with internal and external change
  • Manage and develop apprenticeship leads and support teams
• Workday Learning
  • Owning and continuously developing the Workday Learning platform
  • Ensuring effective governance, reporting and data integrity
  • Enhancing user experience and integration with wider HR, performance and talent processes
• Wider Firm Capability Development
  • Defining and delivering the firm’s learning and capability strategy
  • Identifying current and future skills needs in partnership with business leaders
  • Designing and commissioning development solutions using internal and external providers
  • Embedding learning within performance management and career development frameworks
  • Promoting a culture of continuous development across the firm
• Budget & Supplier Management
  • Taking ownership of development budgets across apprenticeships, early careers and learning
  • Managing third-party providers to ensure quality and value for money
• Leadership & Governance
  • Providing regular reporting and insight to senior stakeholders
  • Ensuring strong governance, audit readiness and risk management
  • Leading, coaching and developing a high-performing talent development team

What we are looking for:

• Significant experience in learning, talent or organisational development leadership
• Proven track record designing and delivering capability or talent strategies
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
• Experience managing teams, budgets and external partners
• Experience working with learning systems (Workday Learning desirable)
• Desirable: Experience within apprenticeships, ESFA funding or employer-provider models
• Knowledge of safeguarding and regulated learning environments

We are an award-winning certified Great Place to Work® provider of Audit, Accountancy, Tax and Advisory services in the South West and West Midlands. With a turnover of £48m, we saw growth of almost 15% over the last 12 months. We are also currently ranked fifth in the Accountancy Age Mid-Tier Power Index and are the largest provider of audit services to multi-academy trusts in the academy sector.

We offer a multifaceted benefits package, which includes:

• 30 days holiday, plus bank holidays
• Extra time off at Christmas - in addition to your annual leave entitlement, we close between Christmas and New Year
• Hybrid and flexible working
• A contributory pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Critical illness cover
• Simply Health cashback plan including access to 24/7 online GP service and counselling services
• Perkbox discounts and rewards platform with over 4,000 perks and discounts
• Social events with active social committees that plan internal and external events
• Numerous opportunities for development

We welcome applicants seeking flexible working arrangements, including part‑time working or working from home, to support responsibilities such as caring commitments, further study, or interests outside of work. We are committed to welcoming new people into an inclusive working environment, where everyone has equal opportunity to reach their full potential. We support a culture where people are valued and treated with respect, and where differences are understood and celebrated. The more varied our workforce, the broader the expertise within our business. The broader our expertise, the greater our chances of innovation and success. That's why we're committed to equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion at every level.

As part of our recruitment process and commitment to maintaining a safe and compliant working environment, we conduct background checks on all successful applicants. These checks will include verification of references, confirmation of right to work in the UK, and, where applicable, a standard or enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Further details will be provided during the recruitment process.