Academy Lead (Corporate Functions) in Manchester

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About Us

At Booking.com, data drives our decisions. Technology is at our core. And innovation is everywhere. But our company is more than datasets, lines of code or A/B tests. We’re the thrill of the first night in a new place. The excitement of the next morning. The friends you encounter. The journeys you take. The sights you see. And the memories you make. Through our products, partners and people, we make it easier for everyone to experience the world.

Role Description

The Academy Lead (Corporate Functions – Finance, Legal, Business Operations, People, Marketing) will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for a specific L&D Academy area at Booking.com. This role is accountable for designing and delivering impactful learning experiences in line with the L&D strategy, which empower relevant communities with skills and behaviours necessary to execute their BU strategy effectively. The role involves partnering with senior leaders, HR Business Partners (HRBPs), subject matter experts (SMEs), and other key stakeholders to define and align the Academy curriculum with business priorities. It also includes managing the allocated budget and resources to execute these initiatives. In addition, the role will lead, coach, and develop an agile squad, ensuring efficient execution of the Academy’s objectives.

Key Job Responsibilities And Duties

• Leadership & Team Management
  • Lead, coach, and develop a high‑performing agile squad responsible for designing and delivering the prioritized annual curriculum.
  • Oversee the maintenance and optimization of the digital Academy learning experience and portfolio for the targeted community by continuously enhancing the digital Academy’s learning infrastructure using emerging technologies, such as AI, to ensure that content curation, instructional design, and operational efficiency are maximized.
  • Ensure the Academy’s annual budget is effectively managed, tracked, and reported.
  • Serve as the accountable budget holder and decision maker on individual, team, and Academy‑level learning requests.
• Strategic Direction
  • Chair the Monthly Academy Steer Co, including senior leaders such as the Senior L&D Manager, HRBPs, Craft Leads, and Business Leaders, to define the annual curriculum and appropriately allocate resources/ budget.
  • Develop and implement the Academy’s L&D Plan and guiding principles, prioritizing craft‑specific capabilities that support Booking.com’s strategic goals and critical business needs.
  • Use data insights, analytics, feedback and technology advancements to track the effectiveness of learning programs, simplify processes and provide innovative, compelling employee experiences that drive learning engagement and improve employee performance.
  • Focus on digital first, scalable offerings and ensure L&D solutions are inclusive, accessible, and aligned with industry best practices.
• Stakeholder Engagement
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with Craft leaders, HRBPs, SMEs and other key stakeholders to align learning initiatives with business needs.
  • Conduct regular focus sessions and interviews with key stakeholders and employees. The outputs from these sessions and interviews will be utilized to guide and inform decisions at the Steering Committee (SteerCo), helping to identify and address priority areas effectively.
  • Oversee the selection and management of third‑party vendors and external training providers to supplement the internal Academy curriculum.
  • Ensure the quality, relevance, and cost‑effectiveness of their offerings and integrate them seamlessly into the Academy’s learning strategy.
  • Foster a collaborative learning environment through initiatives like the craft Learning Community.
• Continuous Improvement
  • Stay updated on industry trends and best practices to ensure the academy remains innovative and forward‑thinking.
  • Implement feedback loops to enhance the quality and relevance of learning offerings.
  • Promote a culture of continuous learning by embedding opportunities into everyday workflow.

Qualifications & Skills

• Experience in a senior‑level L&D role, preferably in a large, global organization.
• Tech Experience: Strong background working in a tech environment, with experience in areas such as software engineering, data science, machine learning, or product management.
• Learning Experience: Expertise in designing and delivering impactful learning solutions, with proven experience in leading large‑scale strategic L&D initiatives within complex organizations.
• Knowledge of learning technologies, including LMS, e‑learning platforms, and virtual training tools.
• Business Acumen: Strong business acumen and ability to define and measure business impact and a proven ability to manage budgets and allocate resources effectively.
• Innovation: Strong understanding of emerging trends in learning technologies and methodologies.
• Data Literacy: Proficiency in data reporting, analysis, and interpretation of data to drive informed decisions.
• Collaboration and Team Management: Proven ability to work effectively across teams and functions, as well as proven leadership skills, including experience leading and developing a high performing agile team and effective stakeholder management.
• Experience leading organizational change initiatives in a dynamic environment.

Benefits & Perks

• Annual paid time off and generous paid leave scheme including parent, grandparent, bereavement, and care leave.
• Hybrid working including flexible working arrangements, and up to 20 days per year working from abroad (home country).
• Industry leading product discounts – up to €1,400 per year – for yourself, including automatic Genius Level 3 status and Booking.com wallet credit.

Inclusion

Inclusion has been a core part of our company culture since day one. This ongoing journey starts with our very own employees, who represent over 140 nationalities and a wide range of ethnic and social backgrounds, genders and sexual orientations. What our Chief People Officer, Paulo Pisano, says: “At Booking.com, the diversity of our people doesn’t just build an outstanding workplace, it also creates a better and more inclusive travel experience for everyone. Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. It’s a place where you can make your mark and have a real impact in travel and tech.” We ensure that colleagues with disabilities are provided the adjustments and tools they need to participate in the job application and interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Application Process

Let’s go places together: How we Hire. This role does not come with relocation assistance.

Booking.com is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We strive to move well beyond traditional equal opportunity and work to create an environment that allows everyone to thrive.

Pre-Employment Screening

If your application is successful, your personal data may be used for a pre‑employment screening check by a third party as permitted by applicable law. Depending on the vacancy and applicable law, a pre‑employment screening may include employment history, education and other information (such as media information) that may be necessary for determining your qualifications and suitability for the position.

Seniority level Not Applicable Employment type Full-time Job function Other Industries Software Development