At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of a flagship learning academy in a world-class hospitality environment.
- Company: Join Sodexo Live! at the iconic Ascot Racecourse.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, and excellent health benefits.
- Other info: Flexible work environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape future talent and enhance guest experiences at prestigious events.
- Qualifications: Experience in designing large-scale training programmes and a passion for hospitality.
Ascot Racecourse, Ascot High Street, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7JX
c£47,000pa + Bonus and excellent benefits
40hrs pw Monday - Friday, flexibility essential for Events and Racedays
Job Introduction
At Sodexo Live!, we create extraordinary moments at some of the world’s most prestigious venues and few are more iconic than Ascot Racecourse. We are now seeking an ambitious and innovative Academy Learning & Development Manager to lead the next evolution of the Ascot Academy, our flagship learning and capability programme supporting both permanent and casual teams across this world-class hospitality environment. This is a unique opportunity to build and shape a market-leading academy that drives service excellence, develops future talent, and directly impacts guest experience and commercial performance at one of the UK’s most celebrated sporting and events venues.
You’ll thrive on working across a fast-paced operation. We’re looking for someone who combines creativity, operational understanding and people leadership with a genuine passion for hospitality and learning.
What You'll Do:
- Lead the continued development and delivery of the Ascot Academy, creating engaging and innovative learning experiences across all hospitality functions.
- Design and implement structured training programmes for both permanent and casual teams, ensuring consistent service excellence across the venue.
- Develop impactful blended learning content using modern digital learning platforms, including e-learning and facilitator-led sessions.
- Partner closely with Operations, HR, Culinary and staffing teams to align training initiatives with business goals and guest experience expectations.
- Drive engagement, participation and completion rates across all academy learning programmes and development pathways.
- Support operational delivery during racedays and events through observations, coaching, briefings and service feedback.
- Analyse guest feedback, service trends and operational performance data to continuously improve training effectiveness and standards.
- Build a strong culture of learning, capability and internal progression while ensuring all training supports compliance, operational consistency and commercial performance.
What You Bring:
Essential:
- Proven experience designing and delivering large-scale learning or academy programmes.
- Background within hospitality, events, retail or another high-volume service environment.
- Experience creating engaging training content and facilitating learning programmes.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
- Commercial awareness with the ability to measure training impact and ROI.
- A proactive, hands-on approach and the ability to thrive in fast-paced environment.
Desirable:
- Experience building or leading an academy or structured training function.
- Experience working with large casual or seasonal workforces.
- Knowledge of premium guest experience strategy.
- Familiarity with blended and modern learning methodologies.
What we offer:
Working with Sodexo Live! is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater. You’ll belong in a company and team that values you for you; you’ll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you’ll be able to thrive in your own way. In addition, we also offer a range of resources, rewards and benefits for our colleagues and their families:
- Unlimited access to an online platform offering mental health and wellbeing support.
- Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or larger problems where you may need additional support, including legal and financial advice, support with work related issues or personal issues such as bereavement.
- Access to a free health and wellbeing app that provides rewards for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and includes access to a 24hr virtual GP and various other services.
- The Sodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7 (also open to friends and family) and/or the prepayment cashback card.
- Money Insights and financial benefits via the Salary Finance Platform.
- Save for your future by becoming a member of the Sodexo Retirement Plan.
- A Death-in-Service benefit for colleagues who pass away whilst employed by Sodexo.
- Opportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo, including a variety of learning and development tools.
- Cycle to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fit.
- Volunteering Opportunities to enable all colleagues to help support worthwhile causes in our communities.
- Flexible and dynamic work environment.
Ready to be part of something greater? Apply today!
Sodexo reserves the right to close this advertisement early if we are in receipt of a high volume of applications.
About Sodexo Live!
At Sodexo Live!, our purpose is to create a better every day for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services. We are committed to being an inclusive employer. We are a forces friendly employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds, and identities. We encourage our employees to get involved with our Employee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Parents & Carers, Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins.
We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations.
Ready to be part of something greater? Apply today!
Academy Learning and Development Manager in Ascot employer: Sodexo
Sodexo Live! is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture at the iconic Ascot Racecourse, where you can lead innovative learning initiatives that shape the future of hospitality. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, professional growth, and a supportive environment, you'll have access to extensive resources, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities to make a meaningful impact in a world-class venue. Join us to thrive in your career while contributing to extraordinary guest experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Academy Learning and Development Manager in Ascot
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the hospitality and events industry. Attend local events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy to reach out to professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your previous training programmes or learning initiatives. This is your chance to demonstrate your creativity and operational understanding. Make it visually appealing and easy to navigate – first impressions count!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. At Sodexo Live!, they value passion for hospitality and learning, so think about how your experiences align with their mission. Be ready to share specific examples of how you’ve driven service excellence in past roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Sodexo Live! team. Keep an eye on our careers page for the latest opportunities!
We think you need these skills to ace Academy Learning and Development Manager in Ascot
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Learning:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for learning and development shine through. We want to see how your passion aligns with our mission at the Ascot Academy and how you can contribute to creating engaging learning experiences.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in hospitality or training. We’re looking for someone who understands the fast-paced environment we operate in, so share specific examples of how you've successfully led training programmes or developed talent in similar settings.
Be Creative!:Don’t be afraid to showcase your creativity in your application. Whether it’s through innovative ideas for training content or unique approaches to engaging teams, we love fresh perspectives that can help shape our academy.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sodexo
✨Know Your Academy Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the Ascot Academy's current structure and offerings. Familiarise yourself with their training programmes and think about how you can enhance them. This shows your genuine interest and readiness to contribute.
✨Showcase Your Creativity
Prepare examples of innovative training methods you've implemented in the past. Whether it's using digital platforms or engaging learning experiences, be ready to discuss how your creativity can elevate the academy's learning environment.
✨Align with Business Goals
Understand how the academy's training initiatives align with the overall goals of Sodexo Live! Be prepared to discuss how you would measure training impact and ROI, demonstrating your commercial awareness and strategic thinking.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would partner with various teams like Operations and HR. Prepare to discuss your approach to stakeholder management and how you would ensure that training supports operational consistency and enhances guest experience.
