Learning & Development Senior Manager

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Learning & Development Senior Manager to join our Human Resources team, based in A&O Shearman's London office.

Human Resources team - London

The HR team at A&O Shearman provides a first class service to the business, offering strategic HR business advice and operational excellence through business partners and specialist teams in the full range of HR functions such as talent & development, resourcing, reward, employee relations, systems and HR administration.

The global Talent & Development (T&D) Centre of Excellence designs and delivers learning and development for all staff globally through business skills and personal development programmes for partners, associates and Business Team staff and other development support. At the senior end this is for our leadership partners and our directors. T&D provides leadership on identifying, developing and retaining our talent. We plan the overall delivery of development for the global firm and work closely with the Training Events (TE) team (based in Belfast & London) to ensure the smooth set up and running of each programme, whether this is virtual or in-person.

What you will do

The specific populations and programmes that the job holder is responsible for is subject to change over time as priorities evolve and work split is agreed between the team. At the current time, the planned main focus and responsibility is the leadership and business skills development for our lawyers globally at all levels. There is the opportunity to contribute to other programmes for our Business Teams and work with other members of the team on facilitation, delivery and observations. The firm is continually reviewing its T&D offering and part of your role will be to initiate reviews and refreshes programmes that we currently have and/or design and deliver new programmes that we should have. This includes integrating a more blended learning approach through the use of AI enabled learning.

The role involves influencing the business to 'buy-in' to the programmes, working with global colleagues to deliver programmes around the network. It also involves advising colleagues about the programmes and development issues more generally and working closely with the business on bespoke learning required which falls outside of the standard programmes and learning. There is also ad-hoc and project work to contribute to and responsibility for reporting and budgeting.

Some global travel will be required for this position.

Programme design and delivery

• To work closely with the business to define learning needs and the content of core programmes and to propose and agree overall approach to any agreed development programmes and workshops globally.
• To ensure that programmes have defined learning objectives, that the style and structure of sessions and the flow of learning appropriately meets these, that programmes employ effective techniques and to leverage our learning platform to deliver a blended approach maximises learning
• To champion the use of AI in the delivery of learning
• To deliver selected programmes and sessions, either virtually or in-person
• To build and manage relationships across the global network with key stakeholders and line colleagues to ensure that needs are understood and to cover key information on learning, programmes and new developments. This is to build understanding of how learning supports development in a broader context and ensure learning is delivering high quality skill development
• To add to, refresh and update learning as necessary to ensure continuous improvement and to reflect changing priorities and in response to feedback
• To project manage the delivery of programmes across the global firm, managing the relationship with relevant members of the Training Events team to ensure the effective organisation, delivery and follow up of all programmes
• To identify and select learning providers who have expertise that meets the particular requirements of a programme(s). To manage our on-going relationships and contracts with providers to ensure they are providing the highest quality of learning
• To work with internal experts to develop content and/or run sessions on programmes
• To create and maintain key documents, frameworks, materials and intranet sites as required. To manage key systems, intranet and databases that support consistent global standards of delivery of learning and compliance
• To deliver value for money on all programmes - and set and manage the budget to achieve this. The budget for the T&D team is circa £4 million and each senior manager would have responsibility for circa £1 million of this. To match demand to supply and ensure the appropriate number of programmes are delivered where and when required
• To work closely with the business on bespoke learning needs for specific groups of people, teams, departments or office, often with a need to handle sensitive and confidential information. This includes conducting 1:1 or team sessions
• To present to management teams or departments on current initiatives or deliver best practice, for example embedding learning tools
• To advise on team or department off-sites with regard to any learning objectives, advising on design, external expertise and related costs
• To facilitate and/or observe on programmes managed by other team members

What you will have

• Candidates must have substantial previous learning & development experience and a track record of working to design and implement successful development programmes (including at a senior level) and be experienced in delivering skills development programmes
• Strong understanding of modern learning methodologies and learning technologies
• Of particular interest is experience within the professional services sector (including law firms). Candidates need to be client focused and demonstrate understanding of the business context including aligning learning to business priorities and strategy. They need to be credible with senior management and adept at managing a range of stakeholders.
• Designing and implementing skills and leadership programmes (including at a senior level) and implementing changes to existing programmes
• Experienced facilitator who can deliver a range of skills development
• Working at all levels within the organisation and managing different expectations
• Excellent influencing skills, good communicator
• Ability to build relationships and credibility and have impact at a senior level
• Attention to detail
• Managing several different projects at any one time
• Experience of presenting to and facilitating groups
• Experience of coaching (coaching accreditation desirable) and mentoring
• Build strong relationships internally and with external providers

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing an onsite gym, wellbeing centre and GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, season ticket loans and online discounts and lifestyle management services.

Our approach to hybrid working seeks to combine and maximise the benefits of effective remote working with the benefits of being in the office. Our current hybrid working arrangements require office based working for a minimum of 60% of your time (i.e. three days per week for a full time role) in accordance with our hybrid working policy.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE - A&O Shearman does not accept unsolicited CVs. For further information, please see our UK Recruitment Agency Policy and our commitment to direct sourcing here.

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Additional information - External

A&O Shearman is a global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in nearly 30 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world's most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world's leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to an inclusive environment, and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.