Senior Learning & Development Partner

Senior Learning & Development Partner
- Location:Agile / Home based - Central England
- Salary:Up to £51,000
- Employment Type:Permanent
- Hours per Week:36.25
- Grade:4
- Closing Date:5 July 2025

- Group Support Services
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Places for People, we hire People, not numbers. So, if you like the sound of one of our jobs, please apply - you could be just who we're looking for. Of course, experience and track record are important, but we're more interested in hiring someone that embodies our People Promises. That's someone that does the right thing, is enthusiastic and motivated to grow, believes in Community spirit, is respectful and enjoys their work. As the UK's leading Social Enterprise, we're dedicated to creating inclusive and thriving Communities for both our Customers and colleagues.
So, what are you waiting for? Join a community that cares about you!
More about your role
As part of the Talent and Development team, this role plays a critical part in shaping and delivering the talent and learning strategy across Places Leisure. It involves close collaboration with senior business leaders to design and implement initiatives that build leadership and technical capabilities, and addressing skill gaps through tailored learning pathways. The role leads on strategic learning and talent growth programmes, supporting both individual and team progression, while coaching managers to develop their teams through personal and professional development. A key focus is ensuring the workforce is equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to deliver exceptional customer service, both now and into the future, helping to embed a strong culture of continuous learning. This work is closely aligned with broader organisational objectives through partnerships with People teams and Centres of Excellence. Regular travel in the role will be required.
Essential Criteria:
- Proven experience in a learning and development, leadership development, or organisational development role within a Centre of Excellence or similar environment.
- Expertise in designing engaging, inclusive, and effective training materials and programmes that enhance people and leadership capabilities.
- Skilled coach and facilitator, comfortable delivering learning to senior stakeholders and diverse audiences.
- Track record of translating strategic L&D concepts into impactful, measurable programmes that deliver clear outcomes and ROI.
- Strong leadership experience, including managing a small team to deliver L&D initiatives.
- Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities: strategic business partnering, coaching and facilitation, project ownership, and team leadership.
- Proficient in leveraging data and analytics to inform learning strategies and foster a results-driven development culture.
- Proven ability to engage, influence, and build effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels, including senior leaders, to align learning and development initiatives with business priorities.
More about you
You'll need to demonstrate strong experience in influencing senior leaders and managing stakeholder relationships, with a clear understanding of the business partner mindset—proactivity, prioritisation, anticipation, and full accountability. You should be skilled in designing inclusive, engaging training materials that build leadership and people capabilities, along with the ability to coach and facilitate learning effectively. Experience in taking strategic concepts through to delivery is essential. Ideally, you'll bring a fast-paced, high-output approach, be confident working independently while collaborating with the Talent & Development team, and have some experience in people or line management. Qualifications such as CIPD Level 5/7, Project Management (Agile, LEAN, or Prince2), or Level 5/7 in Coaching or Leadership & Management are also preferred.
Benefits
We are a large diverse and ambitious business, which will give you all the challenge you could wish for.
We know that there's always more we can do to make you smile, that's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package with each role, yours will include:
- Competitive salary, with a salary review yearly
- Pension with matched contributions up to 7%
- Excellent holiday package – 35 days annual leave with the option to buy or sell leave
- Cashback plan for healthcare costs – up to £500 saving per year
- A bonus scheme for all colleagues at 2%
- Training and development
- Extra perks including huge discounts and offers from shops, cinemas and much more.
Armed Forces - We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant. Places for People will guarantee an interview for any candidate who is serving or has formerly served in the Armed Forces, as a reservist, armed forces veteran (including the wounded, injured and sick), cadet instructor and military spouse/partner and who meets the essential criteria for the vacancy.
Disability Confident - We are proud to be a member of the Disability Confident scheme certified as Level 2 Disability Confident Employer. This helps us to successfully employ and retain people with disabilities and health conditions. Disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for a vacancy will be guaranteed an interview. The Equality Act 2010 (Disability Discrimination Act 1995 for NI) defines a disabled person as someone who has a physical or mental impairment that has sa substantial and long-term negative effect on their ability to do daily activities.
Neurodivergent – Neurodiverse individuals have highly valuable skills, and we recognise that a traditional interview process sometimes works against them and doesn’t allow them to self-advocate. Neurodiverse applicants who meet the criteria for a vacancy will be guaranteed an interview.
