Learning & Development Manager

Learning & Development Lead - Newry - High-Growth Organisation

MCS Group is delighted to be partnering exclusively with a rapidly growing, award-winning organisation to recruit a Learning & Development Lead on a full-time, permanent basis. The business has experienced exceptional growth, tripling its turnover within the last two years.

This is a standalone L&D opportunity, offering the successful candidate the chance to shape and drive learning, talent and development initiatives across a growing operational workforce.

Reporting to the Head of People, the Learning & Development Lead will lead the delivery of the organisation's people development strategy, with a particular focus on early careers, apprenticeships, leadership capability and end-to-end learning initiatives across both site-based and corporate teams.

The Role

• Developing and delivering the organisation's L&D strategy across multiple sites and functions
• Leading apprenticeship, graduate, emerging talent and early careers initiatives across NI and ROI
• Designing and facilitating bespoke internal training programmes, workshops and development activities
• Partnering closely with operational leaders and the People team to identify development needs and succession opportunities
• Supporting talent planning, career pathways and management capability initiatives
• Managing and enhancing digital learning initiatives
• Coordinating external learning providers and building preferred supplier relationships
• Tracking learning effectiveness, ROI and business impact through KPIs and reporting metrics
• Supporting onboarding, mentoring and employee engagement initiatives
• Promoting a culture of continuous learning and development across both operational and white-collar workforces

The Person

• Proven experience managing the full L&D lifecycle within a fast-paced environment
• Strong experience within early careers, apprenticeships, talent planning and workforce development
• Experience designing and delivering internal training programmes and facilitated workshops
• Ability to engage credibly with senior stakeholders and operational teams
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously
• Experience using digital learning platforms, LMS systems and e-learning tools
• Ability to tailor communication and training approaches across site-based and office-based employees
• Experience measuring learning outcomes and demonstrating ROI/business impact

Desirable Criteria

• Experience within manufacturing, engineering, industrial or construction environments
• Understanding of compliance and training requirements within operational settings
• Knowledge of apprenticeship and early careers pathways across ROI and NI
• Existing relationships with universities, colleges or external training providers
• Familiarity with Insights Discovery or similar development tools
• Exposure to Investors in People or Skills for Growth initiatives

The Package

• £45,000 - £50,000 salary with flexibility for the right candidate
• Full-time permanent opportunity
• On-site role based in Newry
• Working hours of 8am - 5pm or 8:30am - 5:30pm with early finish Fridays
• 31 days annual leave
• Health cash plan after one year's service
• On-site gym facilities

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious L&D professional to join a business during a significant phase of growth and play a key role in shaping the future capability, leadership and talent agenda across the organisation.