Learning and Development Planning Manager in Swindon

Learning and Development Planning Manager in Swindon

Swindon Full-Time 36000 - 60000 € / year (est.) No home office possible
First Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the delivery of onboarding and training solutions for new starters at GWR.
  • Company: Join Great Western Railway, a prestigious train company with over 100 million passenger journeys annually.
  • Benefits: Enjoy free rail travel, health care plans, and discounts on shopping and gym memberships.
  • Other info: This is an 18-month fixed term role based in Swindon with flexible working options.
  • Why this job: Be part of a passionate team transforming rail travel while driving impactful learning experiences.
  • Qualifications: Experience in L&D or HR, strong stakeholder management, and excellent planning skills required.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 € per year.

Be Part of a Journey Like No Other – Join GWR

At Great Western Railway, we\'re more than a train company - we\'re the proud custodians of Brunel\'s iconic railway, one of the most prestigious networks in the world. With over 100 million passenger journeys each year and more than 275 destinations across the South West, South Wales and London, we deliver travel experiences through some of the UK\'s most beautiful landscapes and top tourist spots.

We\'re not standing still. With a modern fleet and ambitious plans for growth, we\'re transforming the way people think about rail travel: relaxing, fast, efficient, friendly and fun.

Our team of 6,000+ passionate colleagues - from engineers to on-board hosts - play a vital role in this transformation. And their efforts are paying off with GWR\'s Customer satisfaction score of 92% - our highest in 20 years!

These results show what\'s possible when teamwork, pride and passion drive everything we do. We\'ve set a new standard. Now we\'re looking for more great people to help us keep raising it.

Ready to join something exceptional? Discover opportunities at GWR and be part of our journey.

About the Team

GWR\'s Learning and Development Team have a broad remit – welcoming all new joiners to the organisation, delivering training to customer-facing colleagues, developing managers and providing development programmes at all levels from apprentices to senior leaders.

About the jobAre you passionate about driving impactful learning experiences and shaping the future of workforce development? Join GWR as our Learning & Development Planning Manager and lead the organisation of the delivery of high-quality onboarding and training solutions.

Your main responsibilities will be to

  • Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders to capture and prioritise training needs.
  • Lead a small team to deliver seamless onboarding and training experiences for new starters.
  • Develop and manage annual training plans, ensuring alignment with business goals and resource
  • Monitor performance metrics (SLAs, KPIs) and drive continuous improvement in L&D delivery.
  • Champion consistency and best practices across training teams.
  • Investigate and resolve emerging issues, ensuring timely and effective solutions.

About you

  • Proven experience in L&D or HR environments.
  • Strong stakeholder management and customer service skills.
  • Excellent planning, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
  • Ability to analyse data, prioritise actions, and deliver innovative solutions.
  • High IT literacy and familiarity with training databases.
  • Experience in managing teams and fostering professional development.

About the location

The role will be based in Milford House, Swindon in our new Learning and Development Centre.

Working pattern

The role, working 37 hours per week, requires sufficient visibility and presence to manage a small team and build relationships with the training team and stakeholders across the business.

Additional Information

This is a fixed term role for 18 months. Interviews will be held in Swindon on 11th September.

The Reward

As well as a great team environment and comprehensive training, all GWR colleagues enjoy a range of benefits including:

  • on-going development,
  • defined benefit pension scheme with the Railways Pension Scheme,
  • free rail travel across the GWR network for you and your family,
  • company-sponsored health care plan,
  • discounted shopping and gym membership
  • employee assistance programme and much more.

We all belong at GWR. This is our vision for providing an inclusive environment for all our colleagues, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment.

We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA, ethnicity, religion and disability. We maintain zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent.

We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive.

We review all roles and job descriptions to ensure they are accessible and, where possible, we support and provide flexible working options; we recommend that you refer to each vacancy description for further details.

If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below. We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/neurodiversity/

https://www.healthassured.org/blog/neurodiversity/

INGWR

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Learning and Development Planning Manager in Swindon employer: First Group

At Great Western Railway, we pride ourselves on being more than just a train company; we are a community of over 6,000 passionate individuals dedicated to transforming rail travel. Our Learning and Development team plays a crucial role in fostering professional growth, offering comprehensive training programmes and a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion. With benefits like free rail travel for you and your family, a defined benefit pension scheme, and ongoing development opportunities, GWR is an exceptional employer committed to the well-being and success of its employees.

First Group

Contact Detail:

First Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Learning and Development Planning Manager in Swindon

Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with GWR's values and mission. Understanding their commitment to customer satisfaction and teamwork will help you align your responses during interviews, showcasing how your experience in L&D can contribute to their goals.

Tip Number 2

Network with current or former GWR employees on platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging with them can provide insights into the company culture and specific challenges they face, which you can address in your discussions.

Tip Number 3

Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed training programmes or teams in the past. Be ready to discuss metrics you've used to measure success, as GWR values data-driven decision-making in their L&D processes.

Tip Number 4

Stay updated on the latest trends in learning and development, especially in the rail industry. Being knowledgeable about innovative training solutions can set you apart and demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement.

We think you need these skills to ace Learning and Development Planning Manager in Swindon

Stakeholder Management
Training Needs Analysis
Team Leadership
Onboarding Experience
Performance Metrics Monitoring
Continuous Improvement
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role:Before applying, take time to thoroughly understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Learning and Development Planning Manager position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with their needs.

Highlight Relevant Experience:In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your proven experience in L&D or HR environments. Provide specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams, developed training plans, and improved learning outcomes.

Showcase Stakeholder Management Skills:GWR values strong stakeholder management. Include examples in your application that demonstrate your ability to build relationships and effectively communicate with various stakeholders to meet training needs.

Express Your Passion for Learning:Convey your enthusiasm for driving impactful learning experiences. Share your vision for workforce development and how you plan to champion best practices in training delivery within GWR.

How to prepare for a job interview at First Group

Understand the Company Culture

Before your interview, take some time to research Great Western Railway's values and culture. Understanding their commitment to customer satisfaction and teamwork will help you align your answers with what they are looking for in a candidate.

Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills

As a Learning and Development Planning Manager, you'll need to build strong relationships with various stakeholders. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed stakeholder expectations and delivered results.

Prepare for Data-Driven Questions

Since the role involves monitoring performance metrics, be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive improvements in previous roles. Think of specific KPIs or SLAs you've worked with and how you analysed them to inform your decisions.

Demonstrate Leadership Experience

You'll be leading a small team, so it's crucial to highlight your leadership skills. Prepare to discuss your management style, how you foster professional development, and any challenges you've faced while leading a team.