At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and deliver impactful learning initiatives for our Support Centre teams.
- Company: Join Whitbread, a top employer in the hospitality industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, health benefits, and pension contributions.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of learning and development in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Significant L&D experience and strong stakeholder management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 90000 £ per year.
Location: Dunstable (LU5 5XE), hybrid working 3 days in the office, 2 days working from home/another location
Function: People (Learning & Development)
Salary/Package: £80,000 - £90,000 dependant on skills and experiences + £5,650 car allowance (per annum, pro rata) + health + up to 10% matched pension + benefits
Duration: 6-month FTC (October ’26 to March ’27)
At Whitbread, we’re building the capability that will shape the future of the UK's leading hospitality business. As Senior Learning & Development Manager, you'll play a pivotal role in designing and delivering learning initiatives that help our Head Office (known as Support Centre) people, leaders and teams develop the skills they need to succeed today and tomorrow.
Reporting into our Talent, Development & Inclusion Director, this is a highly visible role, partnering closely with senior leaders, HR Business Partners and specialist HR teams across our Support Centre. While you'll contribute to long-term capability agendas, this is first and foremost a delivery-focused role for someone who enjoys turning ideas into practical, impactful learning solutions and seeing programmes through from concept to implementation.
You’ll lead the development and delivery of key capability programmes, including the next phase of our AI capability agenda, functional and technical skills frameworks, leadership and management development, and broader professional skills such as influencing, organisational effectiveness and critical thinking. You'll also help shape learning priorities emerging from career development conversations and changing business needs. You’ll manage one direct report and manage a significant learning budget.
Forming relationships with internal stakeholders and external providers to deliver high-quality, measurable learning experiences that drive capability, performance and career growth will be key.
What we’re looking for:
- Significant Learning & Development experience within a large corporate or head office environment.
- Proven experience partnering with HR Business Partners, Centres of Excellence and senior stakeholders.
- Strong track record of designing and delivering management, leadership and professional skills programmes at every level of Support Centre.
- Experience managing external learning providers and budgets.
- Previous experience within retail, hospitality, travel, airlines or other multi-site customer-focused businesses would be highly advantageous.
- An engaging, pragmatic and commercially minded approach, with the ability to navigate complexity and deliver results.
If you’re an experienced L&D professional who enjoys creating practical learning solutions, influencing senior stakeholders and delivering programmes that make a measurable difference, we’d love to hear from you.
Join Whitbread and help develop the skills, leaders and capabilities that will power our future success.
Support Centre L&D - Senior Support Centre L&D Manager employer: Whitbread PLC
Whitbread PLC is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture where fun and hospitality thrive. As a Restaurant Team Member at The Warrener in Thetford, you'll enjoy competitive pay, comprehensive training, and valuable employee benefits, all while being part of a supportive team that values your growth and development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Centre L&D - Senior Support Centre L&D Manager
✨Get Involved in Local Edu-Tech Meetups
Dive into some local edu-tech meetups or webinars related to digital learning. These gatherings are prime spots to connect with professionals in the field, and you might just bump into someone from Whitbread PLC looking for temporary support like a Support Centre L&D - Senior Support Centre L&D Manager. Plus, you’ll get to see what’s trending in education tech!
✨Volunteer for Online Educational Events
Look for opportunities to volunteer at online events or workshops—these can help you gain experience and get your name out there. Your contributions may catch the eye of companies like Whitbread PLC when they’re on the lookout for talented folks for temporary roles in digital learning.
✨Leverage Social Media Groups
Join social media groups focused on digital education, like Facebook or LinkedIn groups. These communities often share job postings for temporary roles and can help us connect with current members at Whitbread PLC who can potentially put in a good word for you.
✨Make Your Passion for Teaching Visible
Consider creating content that showcases your knowledge of digital learning—maybe a blog or a series of helpful videos. This not only builds your portfolio but establishes your credibility in the field. Plus, you never know who from Whitbread PLC might stumble upon your work while looking for a Support Centre L&D - Senior Support Centre L&D Manager!
We think you need these skills to ace Support Centre L&D - Senior Support Centre L&D Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Digital Skills:In the digital learning and education sector, it's crucial to highlight your tech-savviness. Make sure your CV includes any experience with e-learning platforms, digital content creation, or learning management systems. This tech flair helps us see you're ready to thrive in our digital landscape at Whitbread PLC.
Let Your Passion Shine Through:For a temporary role, we want to know why you’re excited about digital learning! Your cover letter should reflect your enthusiasm for education technologies. Talk about any projects or initiatives you’ve been part of that showcase your passion. This gives us insight into how you can contribute to our team, even for a short stint.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any certifications related to digital education—like teaching online or instructional design—make sure you highlight those in your application. They can really set you apart from other candidates and show us you're knowledgeable and committed to the field.
Tailor Your Portfolio:If you’ve created any digital learning materials, this is the perfect time to showcase them! We love seeing examples of your work, so include a link to your portfolio that features your best creations relevant to the temporary role at Whitbread PLC. This hands-on evidence can speak volumes about your creative capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at Whitbread PLC
✨Show Off Your Creativity in Digital Learning
When preparing for your interview with Whitbread PLC, think about how you can showcase your creative approaches to digital learning. Bring along examples of projects or modules you've designed, especially those that highlight your ability to engage students remotely. It’ll help demonstrate your hands-on experience, which is essential for this role.
✨Know Your EdTech Tools
Get familiar with the latest in educational technology tools that are popular in the digital-learning field, like learning management systems and online assessment platforms. Being able to chat fluently about tools such as Moodle or Google Classroom during your interview could give you a real edge and show that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Flexibility is Key for Temporary Roles
Since this role with Whitbread PLC is temporary, it’s super important to convey your flexibility and adaptability during the interview. Be ready to discuss how you can quickly acclimate to new environments and seamlessly integrate into existing teams. It shows you’re a team player and can handle the ebb and flow of temporary work.
✨Demonstrate Passion for Lifelong Learning
In the digital learning space, showing a passion for education and personal development can really set you apart. Be prepared to chat about how you stay current with trends in digital education and any extra courses or resources you’ve explored. It’ll highlight your motivation and potential value to Whitbread PLC as they seek to innovate in their teaching approaches.
