Description

About this opportunity

We are seeking a Head of Talent Development to lead and deliver the firm’s talent development strategy, ensuring our people have the skills, experience and support needed to succeed as we continue to grow and transform.

This senior leadership role combines strategic direction with operational delivery across three core areas: Apprenticeships and Early Careers, Workday Learning, and wider firm capability development. It plays a critical role in enabling long-term talent capability, supporting business performance, and embedding a culture of continuous learning across the firm.

The role sits within our People function and is key to aligning learning, development and career progression with firm-wide strategic priorities. You will lead a high-performing team, oversee governance and compliance, and ensure development activity delivers measurable value to the organisation.

Your Responsibilities Will Include

Apprenticeships & Early Careers

Leading and delivering the firm’s apprenticeship and early careers programmes (c.200 apprentices)
Overseeing end-to-end delivery including induction, learning design, progress tracking and completion
Ensuring compliance with ESFA funding rules, Ofsted expectations and internal governance requirements
Working closely with Finance on levy utilisation, forecasting, reconciliations and audit readiness
Overseeing safeguarding arrangements in partnership with designated safeguarding leads
Leading ongoing development of the apprenticeship model in line with internal and external change
Manage and develop apprenticeship leads and support teams

Workday Learning

Owning and continuously developing the Workday Learning platform
Ensuring effective governance, reporting and data integrity
Enhancing user experience and integration with wider HR, performance and talent processes

Wider Firm Capability Development

Defining and delivering the firm’s learning and capability strategy
Identifying current and future skills needs in partnership with business leaders
Designing and commissioning development solutions using internal and external providers
Embedding learning within performance management and career development frameworks
Promoting a culture of continuous development across the firm

Budget & Supplier Management

Taking ownership of development budgets across apprenticeships, early careers and learning
Managing third-party providers to ensure quality and value for money

Leadership & Governance

Providing regular reporting and insight to senior stakeholders
Ensuring strong governance, audit readiness and risk management
Leading, coaching and developing a high-performing talent development team

What We Are Looking For

To be considered for the role, you will need to demonstrate:

Significant experience in learning, talent or organisational development leadership
Proven track record designing and delivering capability or talent strategies
Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
Experience managing teams, budgets and external partners
Experience working with learning systems (Workday Learning desirable)

Desirable

Experience within apprenticeships, ESFA funding or employer-provider models
Knowledge of safeguarding and regulated learning environments

Why join us

We are an award-winning certified Great Place to Work® provider of Audit, Accountancy, Tax and Advisory services in the South West and West Midlands. With a turnover of £48m, we saw growth of almost 15% over the last 12 months. We are also currently ranked fifth in the Accountancy Age Mid-Tier Power Index and are the largest provider of audit services to multi-academy trusts in the academy sector.

From owner-managed businesses, SMEs, and large businesses; to entrepreneurs and private individuals; we offer full services across a diverse range of sectors.

With 9 offices, over 50 partners, and over 500 people, we have the capability and capacity to meet our clients’ needs.

We are also a member of Kreston Global, a global network of independent accounting firms in more than 100 countries.

We Also Offer a Multifaceted Benefits Package, Which Includes

30 days holiday, plus bank holidays
Extra time off at Christmas - in addition to your annual leave entitlement, we close between Christmas and New Year
Hybrid and flexible working
A contributory pension scheme
Life assurance
Critical illness cover
Simply Health cashback plan including access to 24/7 online GP service and counselling services
Perkbox discounts and rewards platform with over 4,000 perks and discounts
Social events with active social committees that plan internal and external events
Numerous opportunities for development

Please contact Sam Ford, Talent Acquisition Manager if you would like to discuss this opportunity further.

We welcome applicants seeking flexible working arrangements, including part‑time working or working from home, to support responsibilities such as caring commitments, further study, or interests outside of work.

We are committed to welcoming new people into an inclusive working environment, where everyone has equal opportunity to reach their full potential.  We support a culture where people are valued and treated with respect, and where differences are understood and celebrated. 

The more varied our workforce, the broader the expertise within our business. The broader our expertise, the greater our chances of innovation and success. That's why we're committed to equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion at every level.

As part of our recruitment process and commitment to maintaining a safe and compliant working environment, we conduct background checks on all successful applicants. These checks will include verification of references, confirmation of right to work in the UK, and, where applicable, a standard or enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Further details will be provided during the recruitment process.

For agencies: Please note that we do not accept unsolicited CVs. Submissions will only be reviewed where a role has been briefed by our Talent Acquisition team.

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Bishop Fleming Chartered Accountants

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Head of Talent Development