Learning & Development Specialist - Retail Sector, UAE

About Al-Futtaim Group

Founded in the 1930s, Al-Futtaim Group is a diversified and progressive privately-held business conglomerate headquartered in Dubai, UAE. It operates through five core divisions including automotive, financial services, real estate, retail, and healthcare, employing over 35,000 people across 20+ countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. The Group collaborates with more than 200 esteemed global brands and prioritizes entrepreneurial spirit and customer-centric growth to serve communities where it operates.

Committed to values of respect, excellence, collaboration, and integrity, Al-Futtaim Group strives to enhance customers' lives daily.

Role Overview

The Learning & Development Specialist plays a critical role in strategizing and delivering training programs across stores and regional levels, aligned with stipulated service level agreements (SLA). The position requires coordination with stakeholders including store management, HR business partners, facilitators, and subject matter experts to ensure timely and effective execution of learning initiatives supporting employee growth, compliance, and brand competency.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop annual and monthly learning plans aligning business needs with regional priorities and SLA targets.
• Schedule and communicate learning activities ensuring they meet timeframes within monthly, quarterly, and annual cycles.
• Manage end-to-end rollout of diverse training formats such as classroom, virtual, blended, and self-directed programs adhering to learning pathways.
• Ensure facilitator and buddy availability, maintaining an active resource pool to fulfill training commitments.
• Implement learning engagement strategies through campaigns, communications, and social learning to cultivate a strong educational culture consistent with IKEA’s values.
• Monitor and report on training participation, completion, and certification, ensuring data accuracy and SLA compliance through dashboards.
• Serve as a learning advisor to line managers, HR business partners, and subject matter experts, supporting development plans and performance cycles.
• Engage in continuous improvement by contributing insights and best practices to regional and retail learning projects.

Essential Skills and Competencies

• Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities to manage diverse priorities effectively.
• Proficiency with learning management systems (LMS) and digital tools for training tracking and coordination.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to build collaborative relationships with various stakeholders.
• Adaptability to thrive within a dynamic retail environment with evolving priorities.

Qualifications

• Diploma or Higher Diploma in Human Resources, Learning & Development, Business, or related areas.
• 1-3 years of experience in Learning & Development, HR, or supporting roles preferably in retail or operational sectors.
• Experience utilizing LMS and digital platforms for training delivery and management.
• Demonstrated capability in managing training calendars, timelines, and cross-functional coordination.

About Al-Futtaim Retail

Al-Futtaim Retail is a regional leader across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia with over 30 years of retail experience. Partnering with global brands like IKEA, ACE, Toys R Us, Inditex Group, and Marks and Spencer’s, the division operates more than 75 stores offering fashion and food options. The business is dedicated to agility and market adaptation through new launches like Watsons and B&Q and nurtures a diverse workforce representing over 100 nationalities in 12 countries.