Learning and Development Manager – British Council

LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

To manage and produce timely, cost-effective and efficient learning programmes that are well tailored to business needs. To ensure, learning events are relevant, cost effective and accessible, utilising existing and new technology in appropriate and innovative ways. The role ensures that agreed skills required for the English and Exam businesses are developed and enhanced for optimum business performance through a variety of learning interventions. There is also a wider responsibility for customising and implementing L&D frameworks and approaches in support of the delivery of the corporate plan within the English and Exams businesses. The L&D Manager is also a member of the global L&D community in the British Council with a strong, collaborative relationship to colleagues in regions and businesses and to the Head of L&D overall. Activity streams would range from face to face training to online self-access learning and bespoke solutions for individuals or teams. This post line manages the L&D Coordinator (responsible for Learning Management System registration and processes, cost reporting, information provision, communications and logistics) The English and Examinations Strategic Business Unit (E&E) is one of three strategic business units in the British Council (the others being Arts and Education & Society) all of which have the remit to build trust for the people of the UK by building relationships through aspects of our language and culture. E&E achieves this by enabling people across the world to access the life-changing education and work opportunities that are created by learning English or gaining valuable UK qualifications. Promoting the English language also provides a medium for communication, helping break down barriers of misunderstanding or mistrust between cultures. The British Council’s 2020 vision for English & Examinations is to be the world authority in high quality English language teaching, learning and assessment, as well as the International distributor of choice for UK professional and school qualifications. Activities in English span a global English teaching centre network of 80 centres in 50 countries teaching 400,000 students each year; a portfolio of digital products and services (free and paid-for) reaching 120 million English learners or teachers annually, and a significant activity working with ministries of education worldwide to improve the quality of English teaching in education systems, benefiting millions of teachers and learners. In examinations, the portfolio spans English proficiency testing, including the world’s leading English test IELTS which is taken by 3 million candidates worldwide each year, and the British Council’s own Aptis test, as well as a wide range of UK school and professional qualifications. E&E also oversees the British Council bi-lingual K12 School in Madrid and a project to expand this concept into a global network. The E&E HR function partners with the E&E SBU to deliver good people practice with regards to resourcing, change management, organisational design, talent management, learning and development, operations, employee relations and reward. The talent and L&D team takes a global approach to Learning & Development (L&D), working with both the central and regional talent and learning and development teams. The L&D function will engage with both the English and the Exams global leadership teams to develop and deliver a global L&D programme for English and Exams colleagues to meet current and future individual and business needs.

Main opportunities/challenges for this role:

* Develop and implement a learning strategy and platforms to deliver various approaches to effective learning and development
* Set up and chair the L&D Steering Group to analyse and interpret the broader organisational context in line with the SBU requirements to ensure that skills and knowledge required for the business are clearly documented and transparent for all (e.g. Skills Directory). In addition ensure that these requirements are reviewed annually
* Engage, persuade. influence and gain consensus with senior stakeholders on an agreed range of training interventions
* Agree and plan with key stakeholders appropriate and cost effective training solutions. Identify potential internal and external sources and ensure the training and development programmes delivered are within an agreed timeframe and budget.
* Work on curriculum design where appropriate (including In-Service Training for Teachers (INSET) programmes) Establish criteria to guide the use of formal and informal learning and training methods
* Market the L&D activity effectively throughout the organization
* Maintain and build our Distance Delta Partnership role with International House to ensure business success and reputational value in the ELT sector.

Significant experience within the HR field, preferably with a focus on L&D management Experience of exams or English teaching management Shortlisting Experience of developing global L&D programmes to a wide ranging audience.

First degree level qualification or equivalent qualification / experience in HR or training and development.

Experience of developing global L&D programmes to a wide ranging audience.

Communicating and influencing – level 4: Uses formal and informal negotiating and motivation techniques to influence others’ behaviour and persuade them to think and act differently, while respecting difference of view and culture.

Managing projects – level 4: As above for medium-to-large and/or high risk projects, coordinates a diverse team with awareness of equality and diversity impact as part of the project specifications and handles changes in specification or plan to meet unexpected circumstances

Planning and organising- level 3: Develops and reviews the implementation of annual plans for a work group or function, taking account of business and customer requirements and reconciling competing demands.

* Analysing data and problems – level 3: Seeks out and examines a range of information to identify patterns, trends and options, to solve multifaceted and complex problems.
* Using technology – level 4: Commissions and successfully implements specialist technological or digital support to meet defined business or programme objectives.