Our client, an ambitious and rapidly growing business engineering and business infrastructure consulting group is looking to recruit a Learning and Development Lead.  Reporting directly to CEO the Learning & Development Lead is responsible for designing, developing, and embedding learning solutions at all levels within the group, from entry-level roles and apprenticeships to senior leadership and executive team development.

Role Title: Learning and Development Lead
Location: Cheshire
Type: Permanent 
Salary: c. £70,000 plus benefits 

This role is key in aligning talent development strategies with business goals and fostering a culture of growth. A focus will be placed on driving inclusive talent development through partnerships with organisations that resource candidates from under-represented and underprivileged pools, ensuring access to development opportunities for all. The successful candidate will be both a strategic thinker and a hands-on implementer, capable of delivering impactful learning initiatives across a growing business.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement a comprehensive learning strategy that supports all levels of employee development, with a focus on entry-level roles, apprenticeships, and frameworks that promote long-term career progression.
• Build partnerships with organisations that resource talent from diverse and underrepresented candidate pools, creating opportunities for talent acquisition and development that support social mobility and inclusivity.
• Lead the development and continuous improvement of scalable learning programs that address the evolving needs of the business and anticipate future skills gaps.
• Define and embed learning frameworks that provide clear development pathways for employees at all levels, from entry-level through to senior leaders.
• Develop and manage professional development initiatives for high-potential employees, including career transition programs, to ensure a smooth and supportive journey through all stages of their careers.
• Lead the design and delivery of senior leadership development programs, including tailored coaching, executive learning journeys, and succession planning initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the relevance and impact of learning solutions, driving innovation across a matrix environment.
• Leverage digital learning tools and modern methodologies to create engaging, accessible, and future-focused learning experiences for all employees.
• Evaluate the effectiveness and business impact of learning initiatives through data-driven analysis and present actionable insights to senior leaders.
• Support the embedding of a culture of continuous learning and growth by promoting ongoing learning opportunities, feedback mechanisms, and a focus on personal development.
• Measures of Success
• Successful implementation of a learning strategy that aligns with both business needs and inclusivity Evidence of measurable improvements in employee capability, engagement, and readiness for career progression, with particular focus on diverse and underrepresented groups.
• High adoption and satisfaction rates for learning programs, as reflected in stakeholder feedback and employee engagement metrics.
• Demonstrated ROI and business value from learning programs, evidenced through evaluation metrics and measurable impact on performance.
• Increased leadership readiness and effectiveness across all levels, driven by strong, data-backed development initiatives.

Person Specification

• Significant experience in learning and development, talent development, or organisational development roles, ideally within a growing business environment.
• Strong understanding of learning principles, instructional design, and modern learning technologies, with experience in creating scalable learning solutions at all levels.
• Proven ability to design and deliver inclusive talent development programs, including apprenticeships and leadership development, particularly for underrepresented or underprivileged groups.
• Experience managing complex learning strategies and initiatives at scale, with an ability to think Demonstrated success in building partnerships with external organisations to resource and develop Proficiency in digital learning tools and platforms, including Learning Management Systems (LMS).
• Strong communication skills with the ability to facilitate learning, build relationships, and present to senior leaders.
• Data-driven with experience in using program evaluation and metrics to drive continuous improvement.
• Relevant certifications in coaching, talent assessment tools (e.g., Strengths, MBTI, Hogan, DiSC), or other professional development qualifications.

Lily Shippen is a leading business and executive support recruitment agency in the UK. We recruit top-tier talent across HR, executive support, and business operations roles, ensuring organisations can access the expertise needed to thrive.

We recruit for a broad range of positions, including Executive Assistants, Personal Assistants, Office Managers, Chief of Staff, and HR roles. Our services span across Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester, London, and the wider UK, including remote and international roles. Whether you’re hiring for permanent, temporary, or fixed-term contracts, we offer tailored recruitment solutions to meet your needs.