At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the learning and development strategy to shape a culture of growth at Scottish Canals.
- Company: Join Scottish Canals, a unique organisation connecting communities through historic waterways.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, health cash plan, and a contributory pension scheme.
- Other info: Opportunity to drive change and support organisational transformation in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on workforce capability and foster continuous learning across Scotland.
- Qualifications: Degree level education and experience in learning and development required.
The predicted salary is between 57537 - 62872 £ per year.
Help Shape the Future of Learning at Scottish Canals
Scottish Canals is one of Scotland's most distinctive public organisations.
As custodians of 141 miles of historic waterways, we connect communities, protect nationally significant heritage and create lasting social, environmental and economic value.
As we continue our organisational transformation, we're looking for an exceptional Learning & Development Manager to join our People team.
This is a unique opportunity to influence the future capability of our workforce, helping to develop the skills, knowledge and leadership required to deliver our Corporate Plan while fostering a culture of continuous learning, growth and development across the organisation.
About the Role
Reporting to the Head of People, you'll lead Scottish Canals' strategic approach to learning and development across the organisation and with external partners.
You'll be responsible for identifying workforce development needs, designing and implementing our learning and development strategy, and ensuring our people have access to high-quality learning experiences that support both individual growth and organisational performance.
You'll provide expert advice and guidance on all learning and development matters, working closely with senior leaders, managers and external providers to drive capability development, address skills gaps and promote a culture where learning is valued and embedded at every level.
Key areas of responsibility include
- Developing, implementing and continuously reviewing Scottish Canals' Learning & Development Strategy.
- Supporting managers and Heads of Service to identify learning needs and develop service-specific learning plans.
- Managing and developing Scottish Canals' apprenticeship programme.
- Building and promoting a coaching and mentoring culture across the organisation.
- Commissioning and managing external learning and development providers.
- Leading the development of management and leadership capability.
- Evaluating the effectiveness and impact of learning and development interventions.
- Monitoring learning and development performance and producing reports and insights.
- Exploring and securing opportunities for external funding to support workforce development.
- Acting as an ambassador for learning, continuous improvement and professional development.
Working across the business, you'll play a key role in ensuring Scottish Canals has the skills, knowledge and capability required to meet current and future challenges.
About You
Qualifications and Professional Knowledge
- Educated to degree level or equivalent.
- Professional or postgraduate qualification in Learning & Development, Human Resources or a related discipline (e. g. CIPD).
- Strong knowledge of learning and development theory and practice.
- Understanding of apprenticeship frameworks and workforce development programmes.
- Awareness of learning technologies and digital learning solutions is desirable.
- Knowledge of funding opportunities and external support mechanisms for learning and development is desirable.
Skills and Experience
- Proven experience leading learning and development initiatives within a complex organisation.
- Experience undertaking learning needs analyses and evaluating learning outcomes.
- Experience procuring and managing external learning and development services.
- Strong relationship-building skills with experience engaging senior leaders, operational colleagues and external stakeholders.
- Excellent communication, presentation, facilitation and coaching skills.
- Strong analytical capability, using data and evidence to inform decisions and demonstrate impact.
- Ability to influence stakeholders and drive engagement with learning and development initiatives.
- Experience developing management and leadership capability programmes.
- Demonstrable experience managing multiple priorities and delivering results with minimal supervision.
- Experience of innovative and creative approaches to learning and development is desirable.
- Leadership Qualities and Personal Attributes
- A passionate advocate for learning, development and continuous improvement.
- Highly collaborative with the ability to build strong and trusted relationships across the organisation.
- Strategic and forward-thinking, able to balance immediate priorities with long-term workforce needs.
- Innovative and solutions-focused, with the confidence to challenge constructively and introduce new approaches.
- Committed to delivering excellent service and creating positive outcomes for colleagues and stakeholders.
- Resilient, organised and self-motivated, with the ability to work independently and drive change.
- An inclusive leadership style aligned with Scottish Canals' values of We Care, We Create and We Collaborate.
Why Scottish Canals?
This is an opportunity to
- Shape the future learning culture of a nationally significant organisation.
- Lead learning and development strategy across a diverse workforce.
- Develop leadership capability and support organisational transformation.
- Create meaningful career and professional development pathways.
- Expand and enhance Scottish Canals' apprenticeship programme.
- Build a coaching and mentoring culture that supports long-term success.
- Drive workforce capability and help deliver lasting social, environmental and economic impact across Scotland.
- Reward
Starting salary will be determined in accordance with Scottish Canals' pay arrangements and the successful candidate's experience.
Scottish Canals offer a generous annual leave entitlement of 224 hours, plus 6 public holidays, along with enhanced sick pay, discounted shopping vouchers, health cash plan and a contributory pension scheme with up to 10% employer contribution.
Scottish Canals reserve the right to close this vacancy before the closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received.
Learning and Development Manager in Falkirk employer: Scottish Canals
Scottish Canals is an exceptional employer that offers a unique opportunity to lead health, safety, and environmental governance across Scotland's historic waterways. With a strong commitment to sustainability and community impact, employees benefit from a collaborative work culture, generous annual leave, and professional development opportunities that empower them to shape the future of a nationally significant organisation. Join us in making a lasting difference while enjoying a supportive environment that values your expertise and leadership.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Learning and Development Manager in Falkirk
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Scottish Canals!
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Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Scottish Canals.
We think you need these skills to ace Learning and Development Manager in Falkirk
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Scottish Canals. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Scottish Canals and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Scottish Canals. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Scottish Canals's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Scottish Canals
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Scottish Canals.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Scottish Canals will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
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Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Scottish Canals and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
