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- Tasks: Lead the delivery of impactful onboarding and training solutions for new starters.
- Company: Join Great Western Railway, a prestigious train company with over 100 million passenger journeys annually.
- Benefits: Enjoy free rail travel, health care plans, discounts, and ongoing development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team transforming rail travel while shaping workforce development.
- Qualifications: Experience in L&D or HR, strong stakeholder management, and excellent planning skills required.
- Other info: This is an 18-month fixed term role based in Swindon with flexible working options.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 60000 £ per year.
Circa £50,000 depending on skills and experience
18 months Fixed Term
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 job
Are 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/
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Learning & Development Planning Manager employer: Great Western Railway (GWR)
Contact Detail:
Great Western Railway (GWR) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Learning & Development Planning Manager
✨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 employees of GWR 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 specific metrics or outcomes that demonstrate your impact, as this role heavily focuses on performance metrics.
✨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 show your commitment to continuous improvement.
We think you need these skills to ace Learning & Development Planning Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, take the time to thoroughly read the job description for the Learning & Development Planning Manager position. Understand the key responsibilities and required skills, and think about how your experience aligns with these.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in Learning and Development or HR environments. Emphasise your stakeholder management skills, team leadership experience, and any specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive impactful learning experiences.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for learning and development. Use specific examples from your past roles to illustrate how you have successfully managed training programmes or improved learning outcomes. Make sure to express your enthusiasm for joining GWR and contributing to their mission.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in a managerial role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Great Western Railway (GWR)
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Learning & Development Planning Manager. Familiarise yourself with GWR's training needs and how they align with business goals, as this will help you articulate your vision during the interview.
✨Showcase Stakeholder Management Skills
Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders. Highlight any past experiences where you successfully captured and prioritised training needs, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Emphasise Team Leadership Experience
Be ready to discuss your experience in managing teams and fostering professional development. Share specific instances where you led a team to deliver effective onboarding and training solutions, showcasing your leadership style and impact.
✨Demonstrate Data Analysis Skills
Since the role involves monitoring performance metrics, prepare to discuss how you've used data to drive continuous improvement in L&D delivery. Bring examples of how you've analysed data to inform decisions and implement innovative solutions.
