Head of Learning and Development

Job Description

Job title: Head of Learning and Development
Department: Human Resources
Fixed Term: This is initially offered on a 12-month fixed term contract basis
Reporting to: Director of Human Resources
Grade: 2
Salary: £77,754 per annum + £5,577 per annum Car Allowance
Base: Gravesend, Kent
Closing date: 28th March 2024.

Interviews dates to be provided following successful shortlist.

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Who we are:

The Port of London Authority is the statutory harbour authority for the tidal Thames and responsible for 95 miles of the River Thames from the Estuary to Teddington Lock in West London. We work to keep river users safe, protect and enhance the environment and promote the use of the river for trade and travel.

The Directorate of Human Resources is responsible for all things people based and currently comprises of Human Resources Health, Safety and Wellbeing and Payroll and pensions.

The role:

This is an exciting new role, initially offer on a 12-month fixed term contract basis. As a new role you will have the chance to work with the organisation to build a structured and coherent Learning and Development capability. The role will work closely with the Director of Human Resources to support learning and development as well as talent and succession across the organisation.

The role will act as lead for learning and development; working collaboratively with the senior leadership team to develop a coherent training and development strategy and plan that supports the organisational business plan goals.

The successful candidate will work with the senior leaders and executive committee to determine business competence and capability requirements, to design, implement and oversee leadership development, to provide strategic leadership for apprentice, graduate and educational outreach programmes and work collaboratively as part of the leadership team within the Human Resources Directorate.

Key Accountabilities

• Work with the Executive Committee and Senior Leadership Team to determine business competence and capability requirements in the short, medium and long term.
• Work with the Director of HR to support the development and performance of the collective Executive Team and the individuals within it.
• Design, implement and oversee leadership and management development programmes and interventions that support business objectives and business performance requirements.
• Identify appropriate learning and development activity to support Talent and Succession Plans.
• Create structure and format for individual development plans for key management and leadership talent and measure, manage and monitor progress against the plans.
• To provide strategic leadership and operational management for Learning and Development, Apprenticeships and Educational Outreach
• To ensure the PLA is meeting all mandatory and statutory training requirements for all roles in the organisation.
• To deliver hands on learning and development sessions as required.
• Lead on the development of the PLA’s strategy for apprenticeship and graduate programmes.
• Manage the PLA’s relationships with relevant external organisations, including trade bodies, higher education establishments, external training, and funding providers.
• To provide line management and guidance to members of their training team
• To support PLA managers in identifying learning and development requirements for new roles and to lead on regular skills-based auditing.
• Lead on the provision and monitoring of mandatory and competence-based training, ensure.
• To work collaboratively with the wider Human Resources and Health and Safety functions to ensure a consistent and accessible approach is followed for all learning and development activities.
• To manage directly and indirectly, a number of learning and development budgets for the organisation
• To maximise opportunities for funding opportunities for learning and development and have oversight of the Apprenticeship Levy.

What we are looking for:

The successful candidate will have:

• Master’s degree level qualification or equivalent in Learning and Development
• Chartered membership of CIPD or equivalent, with evidence of continuous professional development
• Significant experience working at senior level in a learning and development team, working with a complex range of both occupational, mandatory, development and leadership training.
• Experienced in working at different levels from strategic to hands on delivery.
• Experience of working in an operational or safety critical environment.
• Experience of dealing with funding streams, and the Apprenticeship Levy.
• Experienced in the use and further development of learning management systems.
• Experience of challenging and changing existing learning and development practices to improve the learner experience and use of resources.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to persuade and negotiate confidently.
• An analytical mind set able to problem solve and develop solutions.

In return, we offer a competitive benefits package:

• 30 days annual leave + Bank Holidays
• Private Health Insurance
• Generous pension
• Onsite parking with electric charging
• Access to Occupational Health, Mindfulness, Counselling and Physiotherapy
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Access to MyGymDiscounts

For further information or if you would like to have an informal discussion about the position, please contact Karen Fuller, Director of Human Resources on 07783 776645 or Karen.Fuller@pla.co.uk within working hours. 09:00am – 17:00pm.

The PLA are not registered with the UK Home Office and do not sponsor candidates who require a visa or work permit to work in the UK, therefore an offer of employment cannot be made unless you currently hold the rights to live and work in the UK.