Talent Development Specialist

TALENT & DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST - HEAD OFFICE

Grade: Grade 3

Reports To: Talent & Development Partner - Head Office

Department: HO HR

Contract: Full Time - Permanent

COMPANY

NEXT as a business continues to show excellent innovation and service for its customers both internally and externally. We have grown at pace into an industry leading fashion, homeware and beauty business. 

Our Head Office teams play an essential role in supporting NEXT's mission to create value for our customers, third-party brand partners, Total Platform clients and shareholders. The Talent & Development team always aims to ensure that our employees have the best possible learning & development opportunities, providing our managers and leaders with the tools and experience to be able to successfully lead high performing teams and continuously develop not only themselves but also their team members.

Due to expansion, our team is looking for a committed individual to join the Head Office Talent & Development Team. Top of our agenda is someone who is creative and passionate about the development of people, to assist in the delivery of our extensive learning programmes across the Head Office population.

EXPECTATION

The candidate will be required to demonstrate excellent facilitation skills and have the appetite to regularly deliver a wide variety of learning programmes, events and activities at our Head Office campus at Enderby in Leicestershire, and on occasion support at other locations. 

Working both independently and alongside the Talent & Development team, you can expect to engage not only with our new starters on their onboarding journey but also to facilitate exceptional learning experiences with new and existing managers as part of planned workshops or at team training events.

This role will suit professionals with previous experience of facilitation and training experience who understand the need to deliver a quality service in an environment where teams operate at pace and demands are high. 

Reporting to a Talent & Development Partner, the role of Specialist will be key to ensuring we can meet the increasing learning and development demands across all Head Office divisions. 

SUMMARY OF ROLE

As a Talent & Development Specialist, the key responsibilities are to help deliver and develop a suite of learning initiatives which make up the T&D offer across Head Office, as outlined below:

• New Starter and New Manager onboarding events
• Delivery of skills-based sessions across new to NEXT and existing management teams for all Head Office divisions
• Assist in the scope and design of team activities and wider social learning events
• Support seasonal projects to align with key business initiatives
• Delivery of virtual and  in-person products on a weekly basis
• Pilot new material where required with the ability to critically analyse success
• Understand at a professional level through qualification or experience how adult learning theories link to company training programme success

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ROLE

Knowledge and Skills

• Experience of working in a fast paced training team and working environment 
• Highly commercial with good business acumen
• Knowledge and experience in design and delivery of training through both face-to-face and digital learning
• Knowledge and experience of evaluation of training and learning events
• Experienced project sponsor with project management capabilities

Attributes

• A credible team player with a ‘can-do’ attitude, easily gaining the trust and support of peers and colleagues
• A genuine interest in engaging learners, with the ability to demonstrate a practical facilitation style
• Highly organised with excellent time keeping 
• Articulate communicator of business English, both verbally and in writing
• Proficient multi-tasker with the ability to work calmly under pressure
• Innovative, creative and self-motivated approach

MINIMUM LEVEL OF EDUCATION OR QUALIFICATIONS

Essential 

• L&D qualification or extensive experience supported by evidence of ability to deliver high quality learning events
• Technologically competent with the ability to demonstrate effective use of presentation programmes such as Google Slides/Microsoft PowerPoint, using a variety of in-person and virtual training techniques e.g. polls, chats,  breakout rooms, Google Jam Boards

Desirable 

• Experience of Learning Management Systems
• Knowledge and experience of interactive training tools and apps
• Knowledge of Apprenticeship levy