Head of Learning & Development in London

Head of Learning & Development in London

London Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Light Cinemas Group Limited

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and shape our learning strategy to enhance employee performance and growth.
  • Company: Join Searchlight Ventures, a dynamic group behind The Light Cinemas and All Star Lanes.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and fantastic employee perks.
  • Other info: Be part of an exciting business venture with excellent career development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while developing future leaders.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in Learning & Development within operational settings.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

Searchlight Ventures is the group company for The Light Cinemas, Light Entertainment and All Star Lanes. We operate a growing network of cinema, entertainment and hospitality venues across the UK, bringing together film, leisure activities, food and drink to create memorable experiences for our guests. As our business continues to expand this is an important stage for our business development so we are seeking an experienced and forward‑thinking Head of Learning & Development to lead and shape our learning strategy across the organisation.

The Head of Learning & Development is a key leadership role responsible for creating a high‑impact learning culture that supports business objectives, strengthens leadership capability, and enables employees to perform and grow. Reporting to the People Director, the role works closely with HR and Operations to address capability gaps, raise standards and improve consistency across sites. The Head of L&D is expected to stay close to operations, focus on what actually improves performance and challenge activity that doesn’t add value.

What you will be doing:

  • Own businesswide capability, with a focus on leadership and management effectiveness
  • Lead and evolve performance and development frameworks
  • Ensure leadership, management and compliance training is effective and consistent
  • Develop practical learning solutions for a fast‑paced, multi‑site environment
  • Align recruitment and development activity to support future capability needs
  • Drive internal progression, succession planning and high‑potential talent development
  • Own learning systems, content and engagement
  • Ensure learning content remains relevant, accessible and effective
  • Partner with HR and operational leaders on capability and performance priorities
  • Focus on high‑value interventions that improve performance
  • Lead the Recruitment Manager and create alignment across recruitment, onboarding and development

About You

You’ll be an experienced L&D leader who understands how to build capability in a fast‑moving, operational environment. You’re as comfortable shaping strategy as you are rolling up your sleeves to deliver practical solutions that make a real difference.

You’ll bring:

  • Strong experience leading Learning & Development within an operational or multisite business
  • A track record of improving manager capability, leadership effectiveness and performance
  • Experience creating practical learning frameworks that drive measurable results
  • The confidence to build strong relationships with HR and Operations, offering both support and constructive challenge
  • Experience managing learning platforms, systems and engaging content
  • The ability to turn insight and data into action that delivers impact
  • A pragmatic, commercially minded approach, with credibility and strong influencing skills

In return we offer:

  • Competitive salary
  • Employee perks, social events and discounts across venues
  • Private medical insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Wagestream – access to your earned £££ whenever you need
  • Up to 33 days holidays
  • Flexible working
  • The opportunity to be part of an exciting business venture
  • Employee assistance programme
  • Enhanced maternity and paternity
  • Career development opportunities in a growing company

Head of Learning & Development in London employer: Light Cinemas Group Limited

Searchlight Ventures is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where creativity and collaboration thrive across our cinema, entertainment, and hospitality venues. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide comprehensive career development opportunities, competitive benefits including private medical insurance and flexible working arrangements, and a vibrant culture that celebrates teamwork and innovation. Join us in shaping a high-impact learning culture that not only enhances leadership capabilities but also fosters personal and professional growth in a fast-paced, multi-site setting.

Light Cinemas Group Limited

Contact Details:

Light Cinemas Group Limited Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Learning & Development in London

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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Learning & Development in London

Leadership Development
Performance Management
Learning Strategy
Training Effectiveness
Capability Building
Succession Planning
Learning Frameworks

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!

Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to Light Cinemas Group Limited.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of Light Cinemas Group Limited. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!

Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!

How to prepare for a job interview at Light Cinemas Group Limited

Showcase Your Leadership Style

You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with Light Cinemas Group Limited, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.

Brush Up on Management Theories

Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at Light Cinemas Group Limited, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.

Craft Your Vision for the Company

Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for Light Cinemas Group Limited could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.

Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture

In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at Light Cinemas Group Limited as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.