Learning & Development Manager / Senior Manager

We are recruiting a manager/senior manager to join our learning and development team within the human resources department.

About Macfarlanes

We are a distinctive London-based law firm with a unique combination of services built and shaped around the needs of our clients. Our unrivalled blend of expertise, agility and culture means we have the flexibility to meet their most challenging demands and adapt to the changing world around us. While many of our services can be found at other firms, the mix cannot.

We find, recruit and train talented people from all backgrounds, building careers for the long term, to one day shape and lead the firm. We know each other personally which means we work together with more cohesion, and less formality. Our culture is thoughtful, challenging and supportive, and we are a place where everyone, at whatever level, can thrive. We remain focused on equal treatment in recruitment, retention and promotion.  

Main purpose of job/the team

Macfarlanes has an established and highly regarded learning and development (‘L&D’) function that supports the ongoing development of all members of staff. The team is responsible for six role-specific development programmes as well as regular firm-wide initiatives and creating individualised learning opportunities. The L&D team provides professional development advice to their respective client groups on development approaches and initiatives to achieve business objectives and support each other in the delivery of large programmes and other projects. The team is led by our head of L&D and currently consists of one assistant, two advisers, one senior adviser and one business partner. This role is replacing the business partner.

We are looking to appoint an experienced learning and development professional to join the team at manager/senior manager level. The ideal candidate will be an experienced and enthusiastic learning professional with experience of people and operational management.

The role

Key areas of work will include:

• responsible for the operational management of the team, e.g. setting team priorities, curriculum planning and managing key L&D processes, working closely with the head of L&D;
• responsible for ensuring our main development programmes are delivered, including programme review and development;
• act as the learning business partner for:
  • senior lawyers (5PQE +/ senior counsel) and senior business services professionals; and
  • a number of practice groups and business services teams.
• line management of the L&D team assistant;
• raising the profile of learning and development and encouraging a development culture within the firm;
• maintaining the firm’s digital strategy for L&D alongside the head of L&D;
• ensuring the effective use of the firm’s learning management system to support delivery of learning;
• designing/re-designing and delivering training for all populations as required;
• working with external facilitators as required;
• working with HR colleagues to review development needs within fee earner populations and ensure programmes are effective and aligned to individual and business priorities and objectives;
• supporting on cross-departmental projects and firm wide career development and learning programmes as necessary;
• developing junior members of the L&D team;
• keeping up to date with the latest approaches to learning and development; and
• coaching employees 1:1 on development areas as part of the internal coaching faculty (desired but not essential).

This job description encompasses the main duties of the role and is by no means exhaustive. It is anticipated that duties may vary from time to time according to the needs of the department.

The candidate

The successful candidate will be passionate about excellence in L&D and will have a proven track record of delivery, innovation and building relationships with team members and senior stakeholders. In addition, they will be proactive, organised and forward-thinking. The ideal candidate will thrive in a small team and will enjoy shaping the future of learning at the firm.

Clear and confident communication skills are a must as the role involves liaison with senior stakeholders across the business, training delivery and dealing with external contacts on a daily basis.

The successful candidate will also ideally have some experience of leadership training.

Essential:

• experience working as a manager in a busy learning and development role within professional services;
• designing learning content and delivering training in a variety of contexts (including virtual and face to face) aimed at different levels within an organisation;
• experience managing or supervising others;
• experience of digital learning including delivery of standalone digital programmes and blended programmes;
• experience consulting with stakeholders to define development needs and recommend suitable and effective solutions (not limited to training courses); and
• experience of managing projects.

Desirable:

• experience in a law firm or professional services environment;
• experience administering psychometrics; and
• coaching qualification.

Skills:

• a genuine passion for L&D;
• excellent communication and presentation skills;
• efficient and effective working style;
• ability to build relationships;
• ability to quickly establish credibility with senior stakeholders and inspire confidence; and
• excellent attention to detail.

Our commitment to inclusion

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our employees and partners. Improving diversity is one of our key priorities and it is a goal we are actively working towards. We believe that an inclusive, forward-thinking culture is intrinsically important and enables us to provide innovative solutions to our clients.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, bringing different perspectives and experiences, making Macfarlanes an exciting and stimulating place to work. We seek to recruit the best candidates, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, social or economic background, religion, disability, sexual orientation or any other characteristic.

As part of this commitment, we will ask you certain diversity questions. We would really appreciate you and/or your recruiter completing these questions when submitting an application to Macfarlanes as this data enables us to measure our progress towards improving the diversity of our applicants, and ultimately, our hires. This data is anonymised to maintain the privacy of applicants. If you have any questions relating to how this data is used, please contact a member of the recruitment team.

Should you require any adjustments during the application and/or interview process, please do not hesitate to inform your recruiter or a member of the recruitment team. Please note, the job description is available in other accessible formats (for example, large print).

Strictly no agencies. Direct applications only.