Learning and Development Specialist - Retail

AlFuttaim; Dubai; On-site; AED 100,440 - 156,240; Full time

Job summary

Al‑Futtaim Retail in Dubai invites a proactive Learning and Development Specialist – Retail to coordinate learning programs, translate business needs into development plans, and oversee training delivery across IKEA operations stores and regional teams.

The ideal candidate will manage training calendars, enrolments, attendance, and completion data, partner with store management and HRbp, and drive a culture of continuous learning aligned with brand standards and operational priorities.

Qualifications

• Diploma or equivalent qualification in HR, L&D, or related field.
• 1–3 years in Learning and Development, HR, or people support.
• Experience in retail or fast-paced customer environments preferred.
• Experience coordinating training calendars, enrolments, attendance, and records.
• Knowledge of LMS and digital learning platforms.

Responsibilities

• Convert business needs into annual, quarterly, and monthly learning plans.
• Coordinate learning activity across store management and regional teams.
• Manage training calendars, enrolments, attendance, and completion reporting.
• Ensure sessions run on time with facilitators, venues, and resources.
• Prepare and issue monthly learning dashboards and compliance updates.
• Promote learning participation and align with IKEA values.

Skills

Learning and development

Retail training

Training coordination

Learning planning

Learning management systems

Digital learning

Virtual training

Blended learning

Classroom training

Training calendars

Facilitator coordination

Workplace buddy programs

Learning pathways

Compliance training

Mandatory training

Certification tracking

Learning dashboards

Completion reporting

Employee engagement

Stakeholder management

Individual development plans

Performance development

Training administration

Data accuracy

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Learning communications

Continuous improvement

Regional learning initiatives

Education

Diploma or higher diploma in Human Resources or Learning and Development

Tools

Learning management systems

LMS platforms

Job description

Learning and Development Specialist – Retail

Job Snapshot: Role: Learning and Development Specialist – Retail | Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Industry: Retail | Function: Training and Development | Experience: 1‑3 years in Learning and Development, Human Resources, or people support | Job Type: Full‑time

Salary: 9,000–14,000 AED (estimated based on similar jobs; final offer confirmed with the employer).

Overview

Learning and Development Specialist – Retail in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is a Retail opportunity focused on coordinating learning programs, improving employee capability, and supporting training delivery across stores and regional teams. Al‑Futtaim is hiring an organised learning professional to translate business needs into structured development plans, manage training calendars, and strengthen learning participation across IKEA operations. The role combines learning planning, stakeholder coordination, digital training administration, reporting, compliance monitoring, and employee engagement. The successful candidate will work with store management, HR business partners, facilitators, subject‑matter experts, and regional learning teams to ensure development activities are delivered accurately and on schedule.

Key Responsibilities

• Convert business requirements and identified skill gaps into annual, quarterly, and monthly learning plans.
• Align training schedules with regional priorities, operational requirements, and Learning Service Level Agreement commitments.
• Coordinate learning activity across store management, HR business partners, facilitators, subject‑matter experts, and regional teams.
• Communicate training calendars, enrolment requirements, deadlines, and participation expectations clearly.
• Ensure planned learning activities are launched and completed within agreed service timelines.
• Coordinate classroom, virtual, blended, digital, and self‑directed learning programs.
• Manage the full training cycle from scheduling and invitations through attendance tracking and completion reporting.
• Ensure facilitators, buddies, venues, systems, materials, and digital resources are available before each session.
• Maintain an active pool of trained facilitators, workplace buddies, and learning‑support contacts.
• Support facilitator allocation and resolve scheduling conflicts that could affect delivery.
• Coordinate mandatory, compliance, behavioural, technical, and role‑based learning pathways.
• Promote learning participation through internal campaigns, reminders, communications, and social‑learning initiatives.
• Encourage employees and managers to take ownership of development and certification requirements.
• Reinforce a learning culture aligned with IKEA values, customer service standards, and ways of working.
• Monitor enrolment, attendance, completion, overdue learning, assessments, and certification results.
• Maintain accurate employee learning records within the approved learning management system.
• Prepare and issue monthly learning dashboards within agreed reporting deadlines.
• Track compliance targets and follow up with managers on incomplete or overdue learning.
• Validate training data before reporting to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Identify participation gaps, delivery risks, and recurring administrative issues.
• Recommend practical actions to improve completion rates and learning effectiveness.
• Act as a learning consultant for line managers, HR business partners, subject‑matter experts, and regional learning teams.
• Help managers identify development requirements during performance and talent‑review cycles.
• Support individual development plans by connecting employees with suitable learning resources and pathways.
• Provide managers with clear guidance on learning processes, available programs, and completion requirements.
• Collect stakeholder feedback and use it to improve future learning delivery.
• Contribute to regional and retail learning initiatives, pilots, and capability‑building projects.
• Share learning results, successful practices, operational insights, and improvement opportunities with regional stakeholders.
• Support updates to learning materials, communication plans, facilitator resources, and delivery processes.
• Participate in reviews of learning effectiveness and recommend adjustments based on evidence.
• Maintain organised records covering schedules, attendance, certification, feedback, and reporting.
• Protect employee learning data and follow approved privacy and information‑handling procedures.
• Adapt learning plans quickly when store operations, business priorities, or workforce requirements change.
• Support administrative and coordination tasks connected to broader people‑development programs.

Ideal Profile

• Diploma, Higher Diploma, or equivalent vocational qualification in Human Resources, Learning and Development, Business, or a related field.
• Between 1 and 3 years of experience in Learning and Development, Human Resources, training coordination, or people support.
• Previous experience in retail, hospitality, operations, or another fast‑paced customer‑facing environment is preferred.
• Practical experience coordinating training calendars, enrolments, facilitators, attendance, and completion records.
• Working knowledge of learning management systems and digital learning platforms.
• Ability to prepare accurate reports, dashboards, trackers, and compliance updates.
• Strong planning, organisation, prioritisation, and follow‑up skills.
• Confidence managing multiple learning activities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build constructive relationships with managers, HR teams, facilitators, and employees.
• Strong attention to detail when maintaining learning records and certification data.
• Adaptable working style with the ability to respond positively to changing retail priorities.
• Experience supporting engagement campaigns or internal learning communications is beneficial.
• Understanding of individual development planning and performance‑development cycles is advantageous.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, and collaboration tools.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to regional and store‑based teams.
• Customer‑focused and service‑oriented approach to internal stakeholder support.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and employee development.

Skills Set

• Learning and development
• Retail training
• Training coordination
• Learning planning
• Learning Service Level Agreement
• Learning management systems
• Digital learning
• Virtual training
• Blended learning
• Classroom training
• Training calendars
• Facilitator coordination
• Workplace buddy programs
• Learning pathways
• Compliance training
• Mandatory training
• Certification tracking
• Learning dashboards
• Completion reporting
• Employee engagement
• Social learning
• Stakeholder management
• Individual development plans
• Performance development
• Training administration
• Data accuracy
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Learning communications
• Continuous improvement
• Regional learning initiatives

Why Join Us

This role offers broad exposure to employee development, digital learning, store operations, and regional training initiatives within a large international Retail environment. The specialist will support learning programs that directly influence employee capability, service quality, compliance, and business performance. The position provides a strong foundation for career growth in Learning and Development, talent management, HR operations, and organisational capability. It is particularly suitable for an early‑career learning professional seeking structured development, regional exposure, and long‑term progression within Al‑Futtaim Retail.

About the Company

Al‑Futtaim Retail operates a diverse portfolio of internationally recognised brands across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Its partnerships include IKEA, ACE, Toys RUs, Marks and Spencer, and other established retail businesses serving customers across multiple markets. The division supports a multicultural workforce through operational training, leadership development, digital learning, and regional people initiatives designed to strengthen employee capability and deliver consistent customer experiences.