Learning & Development Manager

Role Overview

This opportunity is for a strategic Learning & Development Manager based in Reading/London, with travel across the UK. The position sits within a progressive hospitality business where staff development is a core part of commercial success. The successful candidate will help build leadership capability, strengthen hospitality and operational performance, and support a culture of progression, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

The role suits an L&D professional who can balance big-picture thinking with practical delivery. You will design and implement learning initiatives that improve management capability and operational effectiveness, while using business data, insight, and stakeholder input to refine and enhance outcomes.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary is up to £55,000 per year, along with a company car allowance.

• 28 days of holiday including bank holidays
• Your birthday off
• 3 volunteering days
• 3 days of grandparent leave
• 24 weeks of enhanced maternity leave
• Secondary carer leave
• Wedding or commitment day leave
• Free meals while on shift
• Tailored training and development opportunities
• Apprenticeship opportunities across all experience levels
• Pension and life insurance
• Discounts through the Perkbox app, including high street retail, holidays, and cinema
• Wellbeing hub
• Access to an employee assistance programme
• Cycle to work scheme

Key Responsibilities

You will own the learning and development agenda and align it with current business priorities and future capability requirements. Working closely with operational and functional leaders, you will identify skill gaps, set development priorities, and turn business insight and performance data into effective solutions.

The role involves creating and delivering programmes covering leadership, hospitality, management, onboarding, compliance, and service excellence. You will also encourage leaders to embed development within their teams and make learning part of everyday practice.

Another important part of the role is driving engagement with blended learning methods such as workshops, coaching, digital learning, and on-the-job development. You will work with subject matter experts and external partners to source, design, and implement learning solutions that support organisational goals.

You will track the effectiveness of training and development activity through data and feedback, using this information to improve future interventions. Building strong relationships across the business will be essential to create a high-performance learning culture.

Requirements

• Previous experience in Learning & Development, training, or people development, ideally in hospitality or another fast-paced service environment
• A strong history of designing and delivering development programmes that create measurable impact for managers and teams
• The ability to think strategically and commercially, and to translate business needs into practical learning solutions
• Confident stakeholder management skills, with the credibility to influence, challenge, and work effectively with leaders at different levels
• Good commercial awareness and understanding of what drives performance in a multi-location business
• Experience using blended learning, digital platforms, and data-led evaluation methods
• Strong organisational skills, a proactive approach, and comfort managing several priorities and projects at once
• Experience in large, complex matrix organisations is desirable
• CIPD or another relevant L&D qualification is desirable
• Insights Practitioner certification is desirable

Additional Information

For nearly 20 years, the organisation has delivered hospitality experiences across a wide range of locations, including offices, stadiums, cathedrals, and universities. The business focuses on creating appealing spaces, strong menus, and welcoming teams so customers receive the experience they deserve.

The company places strong emphasis on career growth and believes learning should remain central to the employee experience. It aims to support long-term development, build hospitality careers people are proud of, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Values and Culture

The business describes its values as visionary, positive, collaborative, and conscious. It aims to keep improving, stay optimistic and inspiring, work creatively with others, and act responsibly in support of the planet and local communities.

The employer encourages applications from people who are motivated and eager to learn, even if they do not meet every requirement. It is committed to inclusion, diversity, and equity, and welcomes candidates from all ages, abilities, gender identities, sexual orientations, races, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds.

The company also aims to build a truly representative workforce where everyone feels respected and able to perform at their best.