Learning And Development Specialist in Watford

THE TEAM
The Learning, Development & Early Careers Lead sits within the People function and works closely with operational leaders, the Training Centre Manager, and the wider People team including People Partnering and Talent Acquisition. The role plays a key part in developing organisational capability by ensuring employees across the business have access to structured development opportunities. Working alongside the organisation’s training academy, the role ensures behavioural, leadership and professional development are embedded alongside technical training programmes. The position also leads the organisation’s approach to early careers development, supporting graduates, apprentices and emerging leaders as they progress through structured development pathways into operational and leadership roles.

SCOPE OF ROLE
The Learning, Development & Early Careers Lead is responsible for designing and delivering learning and development programmes that build capability across the organisation and support the development of early career talent. The role leads the development of structured programmes for graduates, apprentices and emerging leaders, ensuring individuals develop the technical, behavioural and leadership skills required to support the organisation’s long-term growth. Working closely with operational leaders and the Training Centre Manager, the role ensures learning, development and behavioural capability are embedded alongside technical training delivered through the organisation’s training academy.

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Learning and Development
  Design and deliver learning and development programmes that build management capability and support the development of employees across the organisation. Develop structured development pathways that support progression from early career and supervisory roles through to management and leadership positions. Facilitate workshops covering key capabilities such as communication, team leadership, performance management, safety leadership and professional behaviours. Work with senior leaders to identify capability gaps and develop targeted development initiatives. Support the embedding of organisational leadership behaviours and professional standards.
• Early Careers Development
  Lead the development and coordination of graduate and early careers programmes. Design structured development journeys supporting the progression of graduates and apprentices. Ensure early career employees receive appropriate professional and behavioural development alongside their technical training. Provide coaching and support to early career employees as they transition into operational roles.
• Apprentice Development
  Work closely with the Training Centre Manager to integrate behavioural and professional development into apprenticeship programmes. Deliver development modules covering teamwork, communication, professional behaviours and leadership fundamentals. Support apprentices transitioning into operational roles following programme completion.
• Programme Design and Delivery
  Design engaging and practical development programmes aligned with organisational and operational needs. Deliver in-person workshops and development sessions across the organisation. Implement blended learning approaches including workshops, mentoring, coaching and on-the-job learning, actively supporting the 70/20/10 learning model. Monitor and evaluate programme effectiveness and continuously improve content and delivery.
• Stakeholder Engagement
  Build strong relationships with operational leaders to understand capability and development needs. Work closely with People Partnering, Talent Acquisition and operational teams to ensure programmes support workforce planning and talent development. Act as a trusted advisor to leaders on learning, development and organisational capability.

HOW YOU'LL SUCCEED
Success in this role will be demonstrated through the successful design, delivery and embedding of development programmes that strengthen leadership capability and support the progression of early career talent. You will work collaboratively with leaders across the organisation to ensure learning and development programmes are practical, engaging and aligned with operational priorities. Success will look like: Structured learning and development programmes embedded across the organisation. Graduate and early careers programmes that attract and develop high-potential talent. Apprentices and early career employees successfully transitioning into operational roles. Leaders and managers demonstrating improved people management and leadership capability. Development programmes that are valued by operational leaders and aligned with organisational needs.

WHAT IT TAKES

• Qualifications
  Degree or equivalent professional experience in Human Resources, Learning and Development, Organisational Development or a related field. Professional qualifications in learning and development, coaching or facilitation are desirable.
• Experience
  Experience designing and delivering learning and development programmes. Experience supporting or managing early careers, graduate or apprenticeship programmes. Experience delivering learning within operational, technical or engineering environments. Strong facilitation and presentation skills. Experience working closely with senior leaders and operational managers.
• Leadership Competencies
  Capability development – designs and delivers programmes that strengthen organisational capability. Practical learning leadership – translates business needs into practical and relevant development programmes. Influence and credibility – builds trust with operational leaders and drives engagement with development initiatives. Talent and early careers development – supports the progression of graduates, apprentices and emerging talent. Stakeholder collaboration – works effectively with operational leaders, the people team and the training academy. Programme ownership – leads the design, implementation and continuous improvement of development programmes. Capability building mindset – focuses on strengthening skills, behaviours and professional development.
• Personal Qualities
  Credible and confident when working with operational leaders. Practical and solutions-focused approach. Strong communication and facilitation skills. Passion for developing people and building organisational capability. Organised, proactive and able to manage multiple development programmes simultaneously. Collaborative and partnership-focused.

Please note that we will also require some travel to our Barking office in this position. We are open to part-time employees for this role e.g. 3 days.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU
We truly value your work, time, and skills! In return, we will offer you a competitive salary and some additional benefits to support your professional growth, including: Participation in mentoring and coaching programmes, 28 days of holiday (excluding bank holidays), 2 paid volunteering days a year, Continuous training and development, in both technical and business skills.