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- Tasks: Lead the development of skills and competency frameworks for various job functions.
- Company: Thales, a global tech leader in defence, space, and digital security.
- Benefits: Private medical insurance, annual bonus, employee discounts, and more.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to innovation and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Shape the future by fostering a skilled workforce and driving continuous learning.
- Qualifications: Experience in learning & development and strong project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Belfast, United Kingdom
Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.
Primary Purpose of the Role: The Work Package Manager Skills and Competency is responsible for maintaining and evolving the IAS Skills Referential, collaborating closely with Job Function Managers, key stakeholders, and Function Academies to define and articulate core capabilities for each Job Function within IAS. This role ensures the identification and continual assessment of function and domain-specific skills and competencies required at every level, delivering clear competency and skill roadmaps that guide role-relevant learning journeys. The Work Package Manager (WPM) balances strategic and hands-on delivery to design, coordinate, and embed structured learning pathways, fostering a skilled, competent, and SQEP (Suitably Qualified and Experienced Personnel) workforce aligned with current and future organisational capability needs.
Principal Relationships: The jobholder will report to the Academy Manager. The jobholder is required to develop networks & build key relationships to obtain buy-in and cooperation in order to achieve objectives and fulfil responsibilities. Interfaces and communication shall be with all stakeholders and include, but are not limited to:
- Key Stakeholders
- Academy and People Team
- Heads of Functions & Function leads
- Technical Directorate & Specialists & Experts
- Engineering Trainer
- SCP lead
- Operations Director
- UK TLC team
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead on IAS Skills Referential, assigning owners, gathering and structuring learning content for each skill from Level 1 beginner to Level 4 Mastery.
- Define core capabilities and competency requirements for each Job Function, detailing skills needed across all competency levels.
- Lead structured training needs analysis activities across job functions and translate TNA outputs into actionable learning and development plans.
- Guide and coach job function heads through the TNA process, ensuring they understand how to identify skills gaps and development priorities.
- Identify skill gaps and development needs at function and domain levels, driving strategies to develop and sustain SQEP within IAS.
- Create, publish and maintain a Knowledge Map for IAS to include S&Es, Skill owners, SMEs, PDAs, PLMs.
- Provide clear, visible competency and skill roadmaps to ensure employees at all levels have defined, role-relevant learning and development journeys.
- Align learning and development initiatives with business objectives, future capability requirements, and organisational standards.
- Monitor, track, and report on skill development progress and effectiveness of learning pathways, recommending continuous improvements.
- Engage proactively with cross-functional teams to foster a culture of continuous learning, capability building, and performance excellence.
- Support strategic workforce planning by identifying emerging skill requirements and advising on upskilling and reskilling priorities.
- Ensure all competency and skill management activities comply with relevant governance, policy, and quality standards.
- Manage learning and capability initiatives as structured projects, including timelines, dependencies, and stakeholder engagement.
- Design and coordinate life after induction learning experiences to support employees beyond onboarding.
- Partner with HR and People teams to integrate learning pathways into wider talent and performance processes.
- Ensure effective communication and alignment across IAS, multiple functions and academies.
- Establish standards, governance, and best practices for learning pathway design and capability development.
- Monitor the effectiveness of learning pathways and recommend improvements based on feedback and outcomes.
- Ensure training established on the learning pathway follows JSP822 standard.
- Use data and insight to track skills coverage, learning uptake, and capability maturity.
Skills:
- Proven experience in learning & development, training project management, or organisational capability roles.
- Strong understanding of training needs analysis methodologies and practical application.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain and develop competency frameworks, job role mappings, and learning roadmaps.
- Analytical and problem-solving capabilities with attention to detail and a methodical approach.
- Experience working with senior stakeholders to define skills, capabilities, and development priorities.
- Ability to translate skill gap insights and business needs into actionable learning and development solutions.
- Adaptable and proactive, with a commitment to continuous improvement and organisational capability building.
- Excellent project management, communication, and facilitation skills.
At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role.
We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring.
If this role isn't quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities.
Join Thales in the UK Innovate with us and shape the future!
Work Package Manager - Skills & Competency in Newtownabbey employer: Thales UK Limited
Contact Detail:
Thales UK Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Work Package Manager - Skills & Competency in Newtownabbey
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more connections we make, the better our chances of landing that Work Package Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Thales and understand their values and projects. We want to show that we’re not just a good fit for the role, but also for the company culture. Practice common interview questions and think about how our skills align with their needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows our enthusiasm for the role and keeps us on their radar. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why we’re the perfect fit for the Work Package Manager position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we can keep track of our applications and any updates directly from there. Let’s make sure we’re putting our best foot forward!
We think you need these skills to ace Work Package Manager - Skills & Competency in Newtownabbey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Work Package Manager role. Highlight your experience in learning and development, and how it aligns with the skills and competencies mentioned in the job description.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; provide examples of how you've applied them in previous roles. This will help us see your practical experience in action, especially in areas like training needs analysis and project management.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically. This makes it easier for us to understand your qualifications and how you can contribute to our team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your details reach us directly and allows you to explore more about Thales and our values while you’re at it!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thales UK Limited
✨Know Your Skills Referential
Before the interview, dive deep into the IAS Skills Referential. Understand the core capabilities and competencies required for the Work Package Manager role. This will not only show your enthusiasm but also help you articulate how your skills align with their needs.
✨Prepare for Training Needs Analysis
Brush up on training needs analysis methodologies. Be ready to discuss how you've identified skill gaps in previous roles and how you translated those insights into actionable learning plans. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and problem-solving capabilities.
✨Build Relationships in Your Answers
Since this role involves collaboration with various stakeholders, think of examples where you've successfully built relationships in a professional setting. Highlight your communication and facilitation skills, as these are crucial for engaging with cross-functional teams.
✨Show Your Commitment to Continuous Improvement
Thales values continuous learning and capability building. Prepare to share instances where you've implemented improvements in learning pathways or training initiatives. This will showcase your proactive approach and dedication to organisational development.