Learning and Development Lead in Howden

At PA Media Group, our People agenda is evolving in step with the business. As the Group grows, diversifies and welcomes new senior leadership, the need for consistent, high-impact development has never been more important. Learning & Development is already established, but as a dedicated function it is still in its early stages - with significant opportunity to shape how leadership, capability and performance are strengthened across the Group.

We are now looking for a commercially minded Learning & Development Lead to take clear ownership of learning across the business. This is a role for someone who enjoys building momentum, bringing structure and raising standards, translating strategic priorities into practical, high-quality delivery that makes a visible difference. This is not a purely strategic role. It requires someone equally comfortable shaping direction and rolling up their sleeves to implement, deliver and embed learning in a growing, evolving organisation.

The Opportunity

With new senior leadership in place and the business entering a period of continued growth and diversification, there is increasing focus on leadership capability, succession and organisational effectiveness. This role will play a central part in shaping how we develop managers and future leaders, bringing clarity, pace and measurable impact to learning across the Group. You will shape the L&D roadmap and crucially own its delivery. From leadership programmes to technical training coordination, you will ensure activity progresses at pace and delivers value. You will work closely with the Chief People Officer, Senior People Partners and business leaders, while maintaining clear ownership of priorities and delivery.

How you’ll add value

• High-Impact Delivery: Lead end-to-end design and delivery of leadership and management development activity. Ensure learning initiatives are well planned, well executed and clearly communicated. Manage programmes from concept through implementation and evaluation. Coordinate effectively with third-party providers and People Partners. Deliver approximately 9 days of facilitation per quarter.
• Shape Priorities & Influence Stakeholders: Proactively assess and prioritise learning requests. Provide clear recommendations, including where to sequence or push back, to ensure focus and impact.
• Project & Programme Management: Lead projects from concept through to implementation, delivery and evaluation. Develop clear plans, milestones and success measures. Coordinate delivery through third-party providers and People Partners. Track progress and regularly communicate updates across the business.
• Build Capability & Embed Learning Strategy: Translate business goals into a focused, practical L&D roadmap. Support succession planning, talent development and career pathways. Use data, insight and feedback to continually refine and improve impact. Maximise the value of our learning platforms and digital tools.

About You

You are confident operating in a growing, changing environment. You bring energy, clarity and a strong delivery mindset. You are comfortable creating structure where there is ambiguity and enjoy balancing strategic thinking with hands-on implementation. You will be comfortable engaging senior audiences, but equally happy managing the detail and ensuring activity lands successfully.

You bring:

• Demonstrable experience leading projects or programmes from concept through to evaluation.
• Strong prioritisation skills and the confidence to make clear decisions on what to progress and what to defer.
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders.
• A hands-on approach and comfort operating in a stand-alone or lean team environment.
• Strong communication skills, able to position priorities clearly and keep the business updated on progress.
• Intellectual curiosity about organisational performance and how people learn.
• Experience working with external providers and managing budgets effectively.
• A CIPD or L&D qualification is beneficial but not essential.

What Success Looks Like in your first 6-12 months

• Turn our L&D priorities into clear, coherent communications that colleagues understand and act on — driving uptake of key interventions (e.g., coaching) through a simple, predictable drumbeat of updates and reminders.
• Establish a practical internal delivery model for L&D (clear ways of working and roles/responsibilities), so activity is prioritised and delivered consistently.
• Establish a clear, prioritised L&D roadmap aligned to Group strategy.
• Deliver consistent, high-quality leadership and management development activity.
• Embed a structured, transparent process for assessing and progressing learning requests.
• Demonstrate measurable impact through feedback and data.
• Build strong, trusted relationships across the business.

What We Offer

• 25 days holiday + public holidays + holiday purchase scheme
• Annual bonus
• Life assurance (4x salary)
• A dedicated Wellbeing Day each year
• 8 hours of paid volunteering time annually
• Enhanced family leave
• Pension (4% employer contribution)
• Free secure on-site parking (Howden office)
• Wellhub fitness and wellbeing access