Training and Development Lead in North East

Post Title: Training & Development Lead

Reporting To: Director of Services

Location: The post will be based at Daisy Chain in Norton but will be required to travel across the North-East.

Salary: £37,500 pro rata (equivalent to £32,000 per annum)

Hours: 32 hours per week

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive sufficient suitable applications.

JOB OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Director of Services, the Training & Development Lead will play a key role in delivering, reviewing and growing Daisy Chain’s professional training offer. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced learning and development professional to take ownership of the next phase of our training journey, helping to continuously improve and expand our programmes, strengthen our approach and maximise our impact across the region and beyond. The successful candidate will bring expertise in learning design, facilitation and the development of engaging learning experiences. Whilst knowledge of autism and neurodiversity would be welcomed, comprehensive training and support will be provided to develop subject expertise and enable the postholder to work alongside Daisy Chain’s specialist teams to ensure our training reflects current best practice and lived experience.

The postholder will be responsible for delivering, reviewing and continuously developing Daisy Chain's established training programmes and resources, ensuring they remain high-quality, evidence-informed and impactful learning solutions that meet the needs of organisations and professionals. Working closely with colleagues and external partners, they will identify opportunities, develop new training programmes, build strong client relationships and support the sustainable growth of Daisy Chain’s training service. As an ambassador for Daisy Chain, the Training & Development Lead will play a pivotal role in advancing the charity’s mission to create a more neuroinclusive society. Through exceptional learning experiences, the postholder will empower organisations to move beyond awareness, challenge misconceptions and embed inclusive practices that create lasting, meaningful change for autistic and neurodivergent people.

KEY TASKS

• Training Development & Delivery
• Deliver, review and continuously improve Daisy Chain's existing training programmes and resources, ensuring they apply adult learning principles and meet the needs of diverse professional audiences.
• Facilitate impactful learning experiences across face-to-face and virtual settings, adapting content and delivery methods to maximise engagement, accessibility and impact.
• Evaluate and continuously improve training programmes and resources using participant feedback, learning outcomes and emerging best practice.
• Work with the Director of Services to review, adapt and further develop Daisy Chain's training portfolio, identifying opportunities to enhance existing programmes and develop new resources or commissioned training where appropriate.
• Maintain current knowledge of learning and development practice, autism and neurodivergence to ensure training remains evidence-informed, relevant and impactful.
• Business Development
• Build and maintain strong relationships with businesses, schools, public sector organisations and other partners to grow Daisy Chain's external training offer.
• Manage enquiries from initial contact through to commissioning, working with organisations to understand their needs and adapt existing training solutions or develop bespoke content where appropriate.
• Promote Daisy Chain's training offer through networking, presentations, stakeholder engagement and other opportunities to increase reach and impact.
• Develop long-term client relationships that encourage repeat business and support the sustainable growth of the training service.
• Work towards agreed income and activity targets, maintaining accurate records of opportunities, client relationships and training activity.
• Subject Expertise
• Develop and maintain a strong understanding of autism, neurodivergence and inclusive practice through ongoing learning and professional development.
• Work collaboratively with Daisy Chain's practitioners and specialists to ensure training content reflects current best practice.
• Represent Daisy Chain professionally as a trusted learning partner.
• Administration
• Maintain accurate records of bookings, participant attendance, evaluations and client communications.
• Produce reports and data to monitor training performance and impact.
• Undertake administration necessary for the effective delivery of the training programme.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Comply with the Charities’ Health and Safety policy in all employment practices.
• Maintain the integrity of the Daisy Chain brand in all internal and external communications.
• Work in ways, which promote equality of opportunity, participation and responsibility.
• Maintain a proactive approach to your role and responsibilities along with a commitment to contribute and maintain the positive working ethos within the Charity.
• Ensure attendance at staff meetings.
• Undertake any training and development deemed necessary for the pursuance of the post.
• Work in a way that contributes to the continuous improvement of the Charity’s services and embraces the organisations quality initiatives.
• Any other duties from time to time, commensurate with the level of the post.

This job outline is intended to indicate the broad range of responsibilities and requirements of the post. It is neither exhaustive nor exclusive but, while some variation can be expected in particular duties, the outline is considered to provide a reasonable general description of the post. This post is deemed to require a Standard Disclosure Check due to the fact that there is access to children and vulnerable adults.

Person Specification

Experience:

• Proven lead or senior-level experience in learning and development, professional training or workforce development, including responsibility for designing, developing and delivering high-quality learning programmes across a range of professional audiences – E
• Significant experience facilitating engaging adult learning and professional training sessions, both face-to-face and virtually, for workplace, corporate, NHS, public sector or other professional audiences, using effective learning and facilitation techniques – E
• Experience adapting learning content to meet the needs of different audiences and evaluating training effectiveness to support continuous improvement – E
• Experience building effective relationships with external stakeholders and contributing to the development and growth of a training offer – E
• Experience working with or supporting autistic and/or neurodivergent people, or knowledge of inclusive practice – D

Qualifications:

• A relevant qualification in Learning & Development, Education, HR, Organisational Development or a related field, or equivalent substantial professional experience in a senior learning and development or training role – E
• CIPD qualification in Learning and Development or equivalent - D
• Qualification or professional development relating to autism, neurodiversity or inclusion - D

Knowledge/Skills:

• Strong understanding of adult learning principles, learning design and effective facilitation - E
• Excellent presentation and communication skills, with the ability to engage, influence and adapt messages for diverse audiences - E
• Ability to design and deliver accessible and inclusive learning experiences - E
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple training programmes, priorities and deadlines - E
• Ability to evaluate learning impact and use insight to improve programmes and resources - E
• Ability to build positive relationships with clients, stakeholders and partners - E
• Ability to work independently, take ownership and proactively identify opportunities to develop the training offer - E
• Strong commitment to continuous professional development and keeping knowledge current - E
• Knowledge and understanding of autism, neurodiversity and inclusive practice - D
• Experience using digital learning platforms or virtual training technologies – D

Other:

• Commitment to Daisy Chain’s values, mission and vision of creating a more neuroinclusive society - E
• Full UK driving licence and access to own vehicle - E
• Ability to travel across the North-East region - E
• Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service - E