Learning & Development Specialist

Salary & Enhanced Benefits:

• Annual leave entitlement starting at 23 days plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service up to 28 days plus bank holidays.
• Generous matched Pension Scheme.
• Life Assurance (4 times basic salary).
• FREE BUPA healthcare and Dental Plan.
• Long Service Awards at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 years.
• Hybrid available after 6 month probation.
• Employee Discounts.

We are looking for a dedicated and dynamic Learning & Development Specialist to join our team, focusing on managing the talent lifecycle and delivering impactful L&D initiatives for all employees across the organisation. This role will support a variety of development programs, including onboarding, induction, skills training, leadership development, talent progression, and the implementation of apprenticeship schemes. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in L&D and a deep understanding of the apprenticeship levy, with a passion for nurturing employee growth, enhancing performance, and aligning learning initiatives with business needs. A key aspect of this role will be partnering with the business to ensure that L&D programs are tailored to address specific departmental needs and support organisational objectives. Occasional travel may be required to support various initiatives across different locations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Talent Lifecycle Management: Design, deliver, and manage comprehensive learning programs to support employee growth and development at all stages of the talent lifecycle. Implement the apprenticeship levy effectively across the organisation, ensuring compliance and maximising the value of apprenticeship funding at all levels of the talent lifecycle. Collaborate with business leaders to assess the development needs of different teams and create tailored L&D solutions that align with departmental and organisational goals. Ensure employees have access to development opportunities that enable them to reach their full potential, including skills training, leadership development, and career progression pathways.
• Onboarding & Inductions: Develop and implement a comprehensive onboarding and induction program that provides new hires with the information, tools, and support needed for success. Ensure new employees feel welcomed, valued, and prepared to begin their roles from day one. Partner with business leaders to tailor the induction process to different employee groups, ensuring alignment with their specific roles and business needs. Continuously assess and improve the onboarding process based on feedback and best practices to enhance the employee experience and support retention.
• Learning & Development (L&D) Program Delivery: Design, deliver, and evaluate a range of L&D programs that focus on employee growth, from technical skills training to leadership development and soft skills training. Partner with the business to identify learning needs and create tailored development opportunities to close skills gaps and drive performance improvements. Develop and implement ongoing learning initiatives, ensuring they are aligned with business objectives and enhance both individual and team performance. Measure the impact and effectiveness of L&D programs through assessments, feedback, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Business Partnership: Work closely with business leaders, managers, and HR to ensure that L&D initiatives are strategically aligned with organisational goals and the needs of specific teams or departments. Provide guidance and support to leaders and managers in identifying developmental needs within their teams and implementing relevant training programs. Ensure that the learning strategy is communicated clearly across the business and that all employees are aware of the development opportunities available to them.
• Apprenticeship Levy Management: Manage the implementation of apprenticeship programs across the organisation, from identifying appropriate apprenticeships to tracking and reporting progress. Ensure the organisation complies with all apprenticeship levy requirements, maximising the use of the funding and aligning programs with business needs. Partner with internal teams and external providers to deliver apprenticeship training programs effectively, ensuring they are well-integrated into the broader L&D strategy. Monitor and evaluate the success of apprenticeship programs, making improvements based on feedback and changing business needs.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Essential: Proven experience in Learning & Development, with a broad focus on talent lifecycle management, onboarding, induction, skills development, and apprenticeships. Strong knowledge of the apprenticeship levy and experience in implementing apprenticeship programs at various levels of the organisation. Experience in designing and delivering tailored L&D solutions to meet the specific needs of different employee groups and departments. CIPD qualification (or equivalent) is highly desirable. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate with all levels of the organisation. Experience designing and delivering engaging L&D content and programs. Ability to assess and meet the development needs of individuals and teams.
• Desirable: Insights Discovery accreditation or equivalent psychometric tools certification. Experience with Learning Management Systems (LMS) and HRIS systems. Experience in leadership development and succession planning.