Head of Learning and Professional Development in Gateshead

Permanent | Up to £46,000 FTE | Hybrid/Remote (with monthly travel to Gateshead and across the UK)

MLC Partners is delighted to be partnering with The Institute of Water, a respected professional membership organisation to recruit a Head of Learning & Professional Development. This is a newly created leadership role offering the opportunity to shape the future of learning and professional development within a nationally significant sector. Reporting directly to the CEO, you'll have the autonomy to design strategy, influence organisational direction, and build a modern, engaging learning offer that delivers lasting impact.

The Opportunity

This is more than a traditional L&D role. You'll be responsible for creating and embedding a long-term learning and professional development strategy, ensuring members have access to innovative, high-quality development opportunities throughout their careers. Working closely with internal staff, volunteers, members and sector stakeholders, you'll help establish the frameworks, systems and programmes that support continuous professional development while identifying new commercial opportunities to enhance the organisation's offering.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the organisation's Learning & Professional Development strategy.
• Design a professional development framework enabling members to effectively plan and record CPD.
• Lead the development of engaging learning programmes, events and digital learning opportunities.
• Enhance learning management systems to deliver an outstanding user experience.
• Develop and expand mentoring and professional recognition programmes.
• Identify opportunities to grow commercially focused learning products and services.
• Manage budgets, governance, reporting, policies and risk within your portfolio.
• Contribute as a vital member of the institute to develop the wider organisational strategy.

Key criteria

We welcome conversations with ambitious Learning & Development professionals who enjoy building new initiatives and influencing organisational strategy. You'll bring:

• Significant experience leading Learning & Development functions or programmes.
• Experience designing learning strategies, frameworks or professional development pathways.
• Knowledge of online learning platforms and digital learning solutions.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
• A commercial mindset with the ability to identify and pursue opportunities for growth.
• The ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.
• A collaborative and proactive approach, with a genuine passion for helping people develop.
• Experience within membership organisations, professional bodies, instructional design or project management would be advantageous, although sector experience is not essential.

Benefits

• Salary up to £46,000 FTE (with a salary review after one year).
• Hybrid working with the flexibility to work predominantly remotely.
• Applications welcomed from candidates seeking 4 or 5 days per week.
• Generous annual leave.
• Employer pension contribution with enhanced matching.
• Professional membership funding and ongoing personal development.
• Flexible working and excellent work-life balance.
• The opportunity to shape a brand-new function and make a lasting impact nationally.

If this opportunity excites you, please reach out to MLC Partners who is exclusively managing this recruitment campaign on behalf of The Institute of Water. If you're looking for a role where you can influence strategy, create meaningful learning experiences and help shape the future development of an entire profession, we'd be delighted to hear from you.

Key Dates

• Applications close: Monday 20th July
• 1st stage interview: 27th & 28th July
• 2nd stage interview: Week commencing 3rd August