At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and deliver impactful leadership development programmes to shape future leaders.
- Company: Join Matalan, a dynamic retail innovator with an inclusive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% staff discount, wellbeing support, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to influence from day one in a newly created role.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact by developing great leaders in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in leadership development and strong facilitation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
About Matalan: From humble beginnings to disruptive innovations in the retail industry, Matalan is ever-evolving. We know as a team, we are stronger together; we champion equality for all and make lasting connections that go beyond work. We thrive off our inclusive culture, encouraging our colleagues to bring their true selves to work and contributing to collective creativity, open-mindedness and growth.
We want to give every candidate the opportunity to perform at their best throughout the application and interview process and then ultimately in their role. If you require any adjustments during our recruitment process, please don't hesitate to let us know. In the event that a high volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.
About the role: This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of leadership and management capability across the business. As Leadership Development Lead, you will design, build and deliver a modern, high-impact leadership and management development offering that strengthens capability at every level and supports a high-performance culture. This is a newly created role with genuine scope to influence from day one. You will not simply deliver existing programmes; you will help design the architecture, embed best practice and ensure our leaders are equipped with the skills, confidence and behaviours needed to drive performance and growth.
Working closely with senior stakeholders and the wider People Team, you will create powerful learning experiences that translate directly into improved performance, stronger leadership accountability and measurable business impact.
You will:
- Design and deliver leadership and management development programmes aligned to business priorities
- Build blended learning journeys (workshops, coaching, mentoring, digital and on-the-job learning)
- Facilitate engaging, high-impact sessions across a range of audiences
- Coach and mentor leaders, including senior stakeholders
- Partner with the business to identify capability gaps and create targeted solutions
- Measure and continuously improve programme impact using data and insight
- Manage external providers and ensure quality, consistency and value
- Oversee programme delivery end-to-end, ensuring a smooth and professional experience
About You: You'll bring a strong background in leadership and management development, with the confidence to both design and deliver impactful solutions. You're comfortable working at pace, influencing senior stakeholders and translating business needs into practical, high-quality development experiences that make a measurable difference.
You’ll have:
- Proven experience designing and delivering leadership development programmes
- Strong facilitation skills able to engage, challenge and inspire
- Experience coaching and mentoring leaders (including senior stakeholders)
- A solid understanding of leadership frameworks and organisational development
- The ability to use data and insight to measure impact and drive improvement
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
- A practical, solutions-focused approach to diagnosing learning needs
- The ability to manage multiple priorities without losing quality or focus
Ideally, you'll also have a professional qualification in coaching, leadership development or talent management (e.g. CIPD or ILM), although this isn't essential. Most importantly, you'll be passionate about developing great leaders and motivated by the opportunity to build something that has lasting impact.
Benefits: In addition to competitive salaries, we also offer the below core benefits:
- 20% staff discount, which increases with length of service
- Thrive Recognition Scheme
- Wellbeing support provided by the Retail Trust
- Life Assurance
- Retail Rewards platform offering discounts for other retailers
- Pension Scheme
- Access to a wide range of career development
- Additional benefits may apply depending on your role and area of the business
Leadership Development Lead employer: Matalan
Matalan is an exceptional employer that fosters an inclusive and collaborative work culture, empowering employees to bring their authentic selves to the workplace. As a Leadership Development Lead, you will have the unique opportunity to shape impactful leadership programmes while benefiting from a supportive environment that prioritises personal growth and well-being. With competitive salaries, generous staff discounts, and a commitment to career development, Matalan is dedicated to nurturing talent and driving performance across the retail industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Leadership Development Lead
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Jumping into industry events or leadership conferences can really help boost your visibility. Not only will you meet potential employers, but you’ll also get the chance to connect with other leaders in corporate management. Look for local or even virtual events that focus on leadership—every connection counts!
✨Engage in Professional Networks
Join professional management associations relevant to your career goals. These networks often host workshops, panels, and networking events that can put you in front of hiring managers. Plus, they can give you the scoop on upcoming roles, such as the full-time positions with companies like Matalan.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
When reaching out to potential employers, particularly for leadership roles, demonstrate your leadership capabilities with real examples. Share stories from your previous positions that illustrate how you handled challenges and drove results. This will help you stand out when you apply to places like Matalan.
✨Tailor Your LinkedIn Presence
Ensure your LinkedIn profile is specifically tailored to corporate leadership. Highlight achievements, showcase relevant content and engage with posts in management groups. This not only builds your credibility but keeps you on the radar of companies looking for candidates like you as they post full-time opportunities.
We think you need these skills to ace Leadership Development Lead
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 Matalan.
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 Matalan. 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 Matalan
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with Matalan, 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 Matalan, 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 Matalan 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 Matalan as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
