Head of Learning & Development

We are recruiting for a Head of Learning and Development to join the firm’s Knowledge and Learning Department. The Head of L&D is an existing role, with the vacancy created through the promotion of the previous post holder in 2024. As a result, the successful individual will be joining an established team. Based in the London office, the new Head of L&D will manage a team of around 14 people with various levels of experience and seniority, including a small group of IT training specialists. The role will report to the Director of Knowledge and Learning and will operate as part of the K&L leadership team.

The L&D function is not only fundamental to the technical excellence synonymous with Slaughter and May, but also in providing developmental support to the talent across our business services teams. The Head of L&D will work closely with the Director of Knowledge and Learning – taking the lead on the strategic approach to the training and development of our people across the firm, both in London and elsewhere. They will also be responsible for day-to-day management of the L&D team.

As distinct from the role of L&D in some law firms, the L&D team is responsible for legal training in a number of key practice areas; an essential part of the role is therefore ensuring the delivery of legal training of an exceptional quality, as well as providing best-in-class learning and development opportunities for the wider population of the firm. Crucially, the successful individual will continue the evolution of our legal and skills training strategy to meet the development needs of all our people. They will need to be strategic in their outlook, and effective at building strong relationships with partners and business services directors to provide a variety of high quality, creative and cost-effective approaches to L&D.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Working with the Director of Knowledge and Learning, as well as with partners and business services directors, to shape and implement the firm’s learning and development strategy, ensuring all our people are developed in line with, and in support of, the firm’s overall objectives.
• Identify the future needs and capabilities of the firm’s people, recognising relevant training requirements and developing programmes to address these.
• Keeping up to date with industry trends and developments in learning, through a strong network of external contacts, both within and outside the legal sector, and making recommendations for change within the firm.
• Overseeing the firm’s training programmes, including the development of new initiatives, to ensure design and delivery of sessions in line with practice driven learning objectives.
• Working with Knowledge Lawyers to ensure the delivery of impactful, progressive and timely legal training in each of our practice groups.
• Managing the design and delivery of training by the L&D team to support skills, professional behaviour and IT/technology capability across legal and business services groups.
• Working with the firm’s Commercial team to support client training programmes and initiatives run with our European relationship firms.
• Ensure compliance of our training programmes with the regulatory requirements of the SRA.
• Leveraging innovative and blended delivery methods and developing the effectiveness of the firm’s training programmes, to drive and maximise engagement.
• Designing and/or delivering training sessions, as required.
• Providing clear and inspirational leadership, and effective performance management, to develop and maximise individual, team and organisational capabilities to ensure the delivery of an exceptional training offering.
• Leading and fostering a positive working environment through creating, building and sustaining open and collaborative relationships.
• Working with the K&L department’s Senior Operations and Projects Manager to coordinate the flow of work through the team and, with the Director of K&L, setting expectations and managing priorities within the wider firm and the L&D team.
• Overseeing the training aspects of the firm’s learning and performance management system.
• Ensuring that all risk/compliance-based training is run effectively and completed, with appropriate records being kept.
• Managing the L&D budget and ensuring compliance with financial procedures, ensuring that the L&D budget is set realistically and reviewed regularly.
• Reviewing the firm’s Risk Register on a regular basis and ensuring that L&D plays a key role in minimising risk for the firm.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

• Have significant experience of working at a senior level in L&D, at least some of which must have been developed within a law firm, partnership or professional services environment.
• A legal qualification is desirable, as is a good understanding of the SRA’s regulations and expectations in relation to L&D.
• Have substantial training design and delivery experience, with a strong understanding of effective learning methodologies, blended learning approaches and familiarity with a range of digital learning technology.
• Experience of leadership training, coaching and psychometrics, ideally with related qualifications, is also anticipated.
• Demonstrate the ability to tailor approach to meet the firm’s objectives and the requirements of the team or population requiring development.
• Be forward thinking and future focused, with the ability to think strategically, particularly in light of global operating conditions and technological developments.
• Have considerable experience of leading and managing the performance of direct reports, with the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team whilst in a leadership role.
• Be able to build strong business relationships with internal and external contacts at all levels.
• Significant supplier management experience, including negotiating terms and conditions, is also essential.
• Be confident, proactive and resilient, prepared to take a hands-on approach to managing workload through the use of initiative, as well as comfortable accepting instructions and guidance from a variety of angles, managing conflicting priorities appropriately where necessary.
• Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written, spoken and presentational), as well as strong influencing skills and outstanding attention to detail.
• Demonstrate excellent and proven organisational and project management skills, with the ability to multi-task, remain calm under pressure, work to tight deadlines and within budgets.