People Development Lead

How do you create learning that makes a lasting difference across a complex, international organisation? At EMBL, our People and Learning Development Lead is responsible for leading our People Development function and translating the People Development priorities within the People Development and Equality strategy into high quality frameworks, programmes and services that strengthen organisational capability. As EMBL’s lead for People and Learning Development, you will provide expertise across learning and development, career development, coaching, talent development and capability building. Working in partnership with leaders and managers, HR colleagues and scientific training teams, the role ensures EMBL has a coherent, evidence-based and impactful approach to professional learning and development across all of EMBL’s workforce.

Reporting to the Head of People and Culture Development, you’ll translate our people development priorities into high-quality learning, frameworks and services. Your work will support employees, managers and leaders across scientific and operational roles, bringing a coherent approach to professional development throughout their careers.

Responsibilities include:

• Leading and developing the People Learning and Development team, setting clear priorities and supporting high-quality delivery.
• Maintaining oversight of key performance metrics delivery across all EMBL sites.
• Building essential skills and capability frameworks covering areas such as communication, collaboration, project management and leadership.
• Developing career pathways, resources and coaching approaches that support career planning, progression and internal mobility.
• Contributing to talent development, succession planning, and leadership and management programmes.
• Designing inclusive, accessible learning using digital, blended and experiential approaches.
• Using evidence, feedback and evaluation to understand impact and improve our development offer.
• Working with leaders, HR colleagues and scientific training teams, while overseeing learning technologies, external providers and budgets.

You have:

• Experience leading a professional development function or team within a complex organisation, alongside strong expertise in adult learning, learning design and career development.
• A deep understanding of how coaching, behavioural change, capability frameworks and talent development can help people and organisations succeed.
• Experience using psychometric or behavioural assessment tools appropriately in a development context.
• An understanding of talent development, succession planning and competency frameworks.

You may also have:

• Experience in a scientific, research, higher education or international setting.
• Experience implementing digital learning technologies.

Contract length: 3 years, renewable to a maximum of 9 years.

Location: This role can be located in either Hinxton, UK or Heidelberg, Germany. Please indicate your preference in your cover letter.

Salary: Grade 7, Monthly salary from £4,395.66 after tax, plus generous benefits and financial allowances based on individual circumstances. Excluding 12.99% personal pension and insurance contributions.

Why join us:

Do something meaningful. At EMBL-EBI you can apply your talent and passion to accelerate science and tackle some of humankind's greatest challenges. EMBL-EBI, part of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, is a worldwide leader in the storage, analysis and dissemination of large biological datasets. We provide the global research community with access to publicly available databases and tools which are crucial for the advancement of healthcare, food security, and biodiversity.

Join a culture of innovation. We are located on the Wellcome Genome Campus, alongside other prominent research and biotech organisations, and surrounded by beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside. This is a highly collaborative and inclusive community where our employees enjoy a relaxed atmosphere. We are committed to ensuring our employees feel valued, supported and empowered to reach their professional potential.

Enjoy lots of benefits:

• Financial incentives: Monthly family, child and non-resident allowances, annual salary review, pension scheme, death benefit, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances.
• Flexible working arrangements - including hybrid working patterns.
• Private medical insurance for you and your immediate family (including all prescriptions and generous dental & optical cover).
• Generous time off: 30 days annual leave per year, in addition public holidays.
• Relocation package including installation grant (conditions apply).
• Campus life: Free shuttle bus to and from work, on-site library, subsidised on-site gym and cafeteria, casual dress code, extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely).
• Family benefits: On-site nursery, 10 days of child sick leave, generous parental leave, holiday clubs on campus and monthly family and child allowances.
• Benefits for non-UK residents: Visa exemption, education grant for private schooling, financial support to travel back to your home country every second year and a monthly non-resident allowance.

For detailed information please visit our employee benefits page here.

What else you need to know:

• International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Please take a look at our International Applicants page for further information.
• EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we apply DORA principles to our recruitment and performance assessment processes here.
• Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL, we believe that diverse teams drive innovation and scientific excellence. We encourage applications from candidates of all genders, identities, nationalities and/or any other diverse backgrounds.

How to apply: To apply please submit a cover letter and a CV through our online system. Applications will close at 23:59 CET on the date shown below. We aim to provide a response within two weeks after the closing date.

Closing Date: 05/12/2026