Head of Learning & Development
Permanent/Hybrid
London/Reading
£120,000-£140,000 per annum + bonus
Middlemore have partnered with a national leading, financial services firm, based in London, to appoint a Head of Learning and Development on a permanent basis. Our client is very much on a transformational journey and the Head of Learning & Skills development is a key leadership role responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing the organisation’s learning and skills development strategy. The successful candidate will drive the development of a skilled, knowledgeable, and future-ready workforce by leading the firm’s Academy, conducting comprehensive organisational training needs analysis, overseeing leadership development and technical training initiatives. Responsibilities will include:
Academy
- Direct and continuously improve the Academy, ensuring the delivery of high-quality learning pathways for employees at all levels.
- Collaborate closely with business leaders to align the Academy’s curriculum with organisational strategy and regulatory requirements.
- Measure and report on the effectiveness and outcomes of Academy programmes, adapting content to meet emerging needs.
Organisational Training Needs Analysis
- Develop and maintain robust processes for identifying and prioritising organisation-wide training needs ensuring we have a clear plan for building future skills such as Digital and leveraging reskilling opportunities where they are ‘sunsetting’ skills.
- Use data driven methods, including skills gap analysis, stakeholder interviews, and business performance metrics to assess and anticipate learning requirements.
- Produce actionable insights and training recommendations for senior leadership and business units.
Leadership Development
- Design, launch, and oversee leadership development programmes to cultivate current and future leaders.
- Partner with HR and executive leadership to identify high-potential talent and create tailored development journeys.
- Integrate coaching, mentoring, and experiential learning into leadership pipelines.
Technical Training
- Oversee the design and delivery of technical training for all relevant functions within the organisation.
- Ensure technical competency frameworks are up to date and embedded into learning solutions. Track and report on technical training effectiveness, adapting programmes to evolving industry standards and technologies.
Learning Strategy & Culture
- Develop and implement a forward-thinking learning strategy that empowers employees at every level.
- Promote a culture of continuous learning, curiosity, and professional growth across the organisation.
- Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in all learning initiatives.
Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
- Build strong relationships with senior leaders, business unit heads, and external partners to ensure alignment of learning initiatives with organisational objectives.
- Communicate L&D strategies and outcomes effectively to all stakeholders.
- Team Leadership & Management
- Lead and inspire the Learning & Skills Development team, setting clear objectives and enabling professional development.
- Manage the L&D budget and resources to maximise impact and efficiency.
We are seeking an experienced senior L&D professional with a proven track record in:
- Designing and executing organisational L&D strategies in complex, regulated environments (financial services experience strongly preferred).
- Building and scaling structured academies, graduate, and/or professional training programmes.
- Driving digitisation of learning solutions and leveraging technology to deliver at scale.
- Leading leadership development initiatives and succession planning frameworks.
- Influencing senior stakeholders and translating business needs into actionable learning interventions.
- Managing and inspiring a team to deliver high-quality outcomes.
If you would like to learn more or express your interest, then please share an updated cv with Charlie.garside@middlemore.co.uk or apply following the link.
