Learning and Development Manager

Learning and Development Manager 
Hybrid- MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol
Band 4/ Up to £45,000 per annum plus benefits 
Start date- July 2025 

Serco are recruiting for a Learning and Development Manger to join the team on a hybrid basis. The key purpose of this role is to partner with the authority and SMEs to support in building a robust Learning and Development solution for the Armed Forces Recruitment Service (AFRS) . This is a diverse role in which you will be responsible for the design and delivery of learning initiatives and development programs supporting all AFRS staff both civilian and service personnel and growing capability across the AFRS programme. 

Managing and working closely with the wider Learning and Development team you will understand development needs that come into the department from the business or through the HR Teams. You will work with the team and the L&D Project Manager to understand and scope the requirement and then resource to the team using skills effectively to ensure the right development is delivered to our people in the right format.  Apprenticeships are a large part of our learning strategy, with programmes being delivered internally and externally. This role will need to have deep understanding and proven skills of managing high quality apprenticeships including creating and delivering content.  

At Serco, we are proud to partner with the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) in providing critical recruitment services for the UK’s Armed Forces. This new approach will, for the first time, see the Royal Navy, the British Army, and the Royal Air Force have a joint Armed Forces Recruitment Service (AFRS). Delivered through a partnership with the MOD, Serco, and our consortium of partners, this service will provide end-to-end support from candidate attraction to assessment, onboarding, and preparation for attending Phase 1 training. Our team brings together best-in-class integrated technology and specialist partners to offer a holistic recruitment and skills solution for the UK Armed Forces, designed to modernise and improve the overall candidate experience. We are driven by the values of doing the right thing for our people, the MOD, His Majesty’s Government (HMG), broader society and the candidates we source.

Main responsibilities of the role:

• Contribute to the development and delivery of the learning strategy through effective cross organisational communication, identification of synergies.
• Lead and manage the team, to ensure effective and timely development and delivery of the strategy plan.
• Ensure compliance with DSAT methodology 
• Scope and build a robust TNA (Training needs analysis) for the contract
• Design and delivery are in line with Ofsted’s education inspection framework and DSAT. 
• Understanding of the Defence Learning Environment (DLE).
• Responsible for the continued improvement of learning resources and delivery through direction of the quality team.
• Build strong relationships with a complex range of stakeholders, collaborating and challenging to ensure best learning solutions are delivered as per AFRS requirements.
• Contribute to the communication and promotion of the Serco core curriculum and management fundamentals to increase accessibility to development programmes for all colleagues.
• Management of the learning schedule including cohort planning for all development programmes including apprenticeships 
• Delivering on our quality and compliance KPIs to meet business expectations 
• Wider understanding of Learning trends and sector developments to continually improve service. 
• Ownership of content library within Learning and Development 
• Drive continued professional development to raise standards and learner outcomes.
• Manage risks identified across the team and put resolutions in place.
• Responsibility to match learner requirements to the right programme based on development need.  
• Report returns on investment and the impact our learning offer has on the business. 
• Lead on good practice and legislative compliance aspects for health and safety, equality and diversity, employment law and data protection.

What you’ll need to do the role:

• Able to achieve BPSS Clearance.
• Have experience with building TNAs
• A deep understanding of apprenticeship standards and requirements and experience of creating a range of programmes against these requirements. 
• Experience and knowledge of DSAT and ADDIE methodology, 
• Management and delivery of apprenticeship programmes and portfolio systems. 
• Knowledge of e-learning platforms and practices
• Creativity to design a fit for purpose, learning programme to support a blended delivery model.
• Proven experience in successful design of a diverse curriculum.
• Confidently applies data to deliver regular content improvements.
• Practical experience with Microsoft Office and Learning Management Systems (LMS), in particular the DLE (Defence Learning Environment) is desirable
• Effective communication skills with a good ability to build relations with employees and vendors.
• Strong organisational skills with business-oriented thinking.
• Previous line management experience essential with multi-layer teams. 
• Knowledge and understanding of Learning and Development models and theories. 

What we offer:

• Up to 6% contributory pension.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Annual leave purchase scheme.
• Access to the Serco benefits portal offering discounts across major high street brands in Retail, Leisure & Hospitality.
• Health and wellbeing support for you and your family, including an Employee Assistance Programme, Health Cash Plans, free flu jabs, and more.
• Comprehensive career development opportunities, including role-specific training, leadership coaching, and formal study to support your growth with Serco.
• A safe, inclusive, and supportive culture.
• A company passionate about diversity and inclusion.
• Serco actively encourages applications from veterans, military spouses and reservists.

To discover more about our careers in Defence, meet our team, and to find out more about what we offer, please follow this Link. We’re also a signatory of the UK Governments Women in Defence Charter, to find out more please click here.

Please click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and when that happens, we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment. 

At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. As a proud Disability Confident Leader and holder of the Silver Inclusive Employer Standard, disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview. 

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