Learning and Development Manager

Make a Real Impact

[Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] is a leading commercial law firm. Alongside our recognised expertise in housing, local government, and health and social care, we are specialists in the construction, energy and resource management, higher education and financial services sectors. Supported by our valued business services professionals, our award-winning and growing legal teams provide almost 2,000 organisations with commercial, corporate, property, finance, regulatory, employment and litigation (commercial and clinical negligence) legal and advisory services. As a responsible business, we embrace four values: Relationships, Reputation, Responsible and Results. These give us a sense of purpose. They influence the decisions we make and how we work with each other. Importantly, they motivate us to deliver meaningful outcomes for our clients and the communities that we're part of. Consistently recognised as one of The Times Best Law Firms and highly ranked across the legal directories, we are proud of our hard-earned reputation. Our 2024/25 financial results confirmed both revenue and profit growth for a twelfth consecutive year, ensuring our ability to continue investing in our people. Looking to the future, we're targeting ambitious growth and success. And we're looking for the best people to be part of it.

Join a team of experts and progressive thinkers

This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled and passionate Learning and Development Manager to join [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] as we embark on our new 5-year strategy to 2031. You will play an important role in bringing our five-year L&D strategy and plan to life - designing and facilitating high-quality learning experiences virtually and in-person at all levels across the firm. We are a growing, high performing learning and development function within the HR team. You will work closely with the wider HR team, build positive and productive relationships across legal and business services departments, and have genuine scope to be a part of how learning is designed and delivered at [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]. From early careers through to working with senior leaders in time, your work will make a real impact to the development of our people, and the growth of the firm. The role will report to our Senior Learning and Development Business Partner, and you will play a key role in mentoring junior team members, including our L&D Advisor, and L&D Co-ordinator. You will ideally be based in our Birmingham or Bristol office and there will be a requirement to undertake some travel to our other office locations (Bristol, Birmingham, London, Leeds) when needed. [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] operates a hybrid working model based on the needs of our clients, teams, and those of the individual. Wherever possible, we aim to offer our people flexibility to work their week in a way that suits them, provided they are still able to meet the needs of their clients, team, and role.

The role

• Play a key role in supporting the delivery of the L&D strategy and plan, supporting the creation and delivery of effective, high-quality learning programmes and initiatives.
• Design and facilitate engaging learning experiences across all levels of the firm, from early careers and in time to senior leaders using a variety of formats, methodologies, and modern learning models.
• Lead the design and delivery of a Business Services Pathway Development Programme aligned to the Business Services Career Framework, working collaboratively with key stakeholders to identify capability gaps, and create targeted solutions.
• Partner with our Early Talent team to continually evolve the firm's Early Careers Development Programme ensuring it supports the attraction, onboarding, and professional growth of our trainees, apprentices, and paralegals.
• Design an accessible and comprehensive Line Management Toolkit, providing managers at all levels across the firm with practical resources, frameworks, and guidance to support their people and teams effectively.
• Partner closely with the HR team to ensure L&D activity aligns with broader people initiatives and projects, including performance, talent, wellbeing, and inclusion.
• Build and maintain trusted and productive relationships with stakeholders at all levels across legal departments and business services functions, acting as a credible and approachable L&D Manager.
• Identify and proactively recommend improvements to existing learning programmes and processes, drawing on data, feedback, and best practice.
• Manage multiple workstreams, maintaining high standards of quality, organisation, timekeeping, and delivery within agreed timelines and budgets.
• Stay current with developments in learning theory, digital learning tools, and the legal sector to bring fresh thinking and innovation to L&D at [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal].
• Work closely with the Senior L&D Business Partner to agree key metrics, measure, and evaluate the impact and effectiveness of L&D interventions, using data and insight to continuously improve outcomes.

What we are looking for from you

• Previous experience in L&D within a law firm or large partnership environment (or similar) translating business needs into effective learning solutions.
• Highly skilled in facilitation and learning delivery at all career levels from apprentices and trainees, up to and including exposure to Partner and Director level.
• Experience of leading, designing, implementing, and evaluating highly engaging, innovative, blended learning interventions that deliver impactful behavioural change.
• Commercial nous and gravitas to quickly build strong working relationships with key stakeholders and to best represent the value of L&D to the business.
• A collaborative team player who works with others effectively.
• Positive and professional attitude with a high level of self and interpersonal awareness.
• Knowledge of up-to-date and cutting-edge learning solutions and technologies.
• The ability to think strategically and execute at an operational level.
• Creative, with a passion for creating practical solutions.
• Excellent organisational, time-management, and project management skills.
• High quality standards and strong attention to detail.
• Continuous improvement and an agile mind-set.

Work with approachable people

When we ask colleagues what makes [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] a great place to work, the most popular thing they say is "the people". The overwhelming consensus is that we make time for each other. We welcome questions and support each other. Naturally, we look for new colleagues who align with our values.

Supported to be your best

Hybrid working We operate a hybrid working model based on the needs of our clients, teams and people. Our core business hours are 9am - 5:15pm Monday to Friday, but we're open to our people working more flexibly around those times and welcome a conversation with you if you have any questions about this. We try to offer you the flexibility to work your week in a way that suits you.

Learning, Development & Progression We're committed to supporting your professional and personal development needs.This means that we offer a range of tailored training courses and you will have lots of opportunity to learn from those around you. We actively encourage progression and this is reflected in our annual review and promotion processes. You will be supported by your line manager to achieve your full potential.

Wellbeing As a [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] employee, you'll have access to a variety of services that support your wellbeing. We've pledged our commitment to The Mindful Business Charter and lots of our people contribute to our Wellbeing Responsible Business strand, which organises an annual calendar of wellbeing events and initiatives.

Benefits

• A minimum of 25 days holiday (plus the option to buy up to an additional 5 days)
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Generous pension scheme
• Private medical insurance through Vitality
• Biennial private health assessment through Nuffield Health
• Life assurance
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to work scheme

Embracing our differences and valuing inclusion

Our shared aim is that everyone is welcome and can feel comfortable being themselves at [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]. To support this, we actively value and promote equality, diversity and inclusion in everything that we do. You'll be empowered and supported through our employee led networks, diverse colleagues, and a broad range of firmwide initiatives. Recognising the unique contributions that a diverse workforce can bring to our business, we encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We take great pride in being a Disability Confident Employer. If you need any adjustments throughout the recruitment process or have any questions, please get in touch with our recruitment team by emailing [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal].

Acting responsibly, now and for the future

To us, being a responsible business is second nature; a core part of [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]'s identity. Our colleagues are heavily involved in shaping and delivering activity across the four pillars of our Responsible Business strategy: Community Engagement; Environmental Sustainability; Equality, Diversity & Inclusion; and Wellbeing. Our people deliver pro bono legal work for charities and not-for-profit organisations. We play an active role in our local communities and donated £100,000 across our four regional office charities last year. We are also proudly carbon neutral. We've achieved the UN's Climate Neutral Now accreditation and our environmental sustainability plan focuses on achieving our net zero carbon target by 2040. Collectively, the four pillars ensure we look after our colleagues' wellbeing; offer an environment in which everyone can progress on merit, give something back to the communities in which we work; and protect the environment.