Learning & Development Lead

Aventus Global Talent; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a Learning & Development Lead in Abu Dhabi. The role involves designing and implementing impactful learning solutions, driving performance excellence, and enhancing succession planning. Ideal candidates will have a minimum of 8 years in Learning & Development and extensive experience in performance management frameworks. This position requires strong relationships with stakeholders and offers an opportunity to shape the talent development strategy within the organization.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years experience in Learning & Development.
• Extensive experience in succession planning.
• Candidates preferred who are already in Abu Dhabi or willing to relocate.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of learning and development programmes.
• Conduct Training Needs Analysis using performance reviews.
• Oversee coordination of all training activities.
• Manage onboarding and orientation programmes for new joiners.
• Design and maintain a transparent career pathing framework.

Skills

Performance management frameworks

Leadership development

Succession planning

Training Needs Analysis (TNA)

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Title: Learning & Development Lead
Location: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Financial Services
Reporting Line: Manager of Talent Development & Rewards
Second Line: Chief Human Capital Officer

We are partnering with our exciting Abu Dhabi based client to appoint a Learning & Development Lead. This role is within the Human Capital function, responsible for building high‑impact learning solutions, driving performance excellence, and strengthening succession and talent pipelines across the organisation.

This role will suit a senior L&D or Talent professional with strong exposure to performance management frameworks, leadership development, and succession planning, ideally within a regulated or complex organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Learning & Development Strategy
  • Lead the design and delivery of end‑to‑end learning and development programmes aligned with organisational strategy
  • Conduct Training Needs Analysis (TNA) using job analysis, performance reviews and business priorities
  • Develop and implement the annual training plan and learning strategy
  • Design and deliver customised development programmes including: Leadership and executive development; Competency and capability frameworks; Talent and mentorship programmes
  • Lead the creation and rollout of career development programmes to support internal mobility and leadership readiness
  • Stay abreast of global L&D trends and continuously enhance learning methodologies and tools
• Training Operations & Delivery
  • Oversee coordination of all training activities including scheduling, communications, logistics and evaluations
  • Manage onboarding and orientation programmes for new joiners
  • Prepare, implement and track Individual Development Plans (IDPs)
  • Maintain accurate learning records, dashboards and training analytics
  • Manage summer internships and student placement programmes
  • Draft RFPs and manage vendor selection for external training providers
  • Review and evaluate training effectiveness and continuously optimise learning solutions
• Performance Management
  • Lead the design, implementation and continuous improvement of the end‑to‑end performance management cycle (policies, processes, timelines, scoring and calibration)
  • Manage the annual performance appraisal cycle across the organisation
  • Partner with managers to address performance gaps and improvement areas
  • Support the development and monitoring of Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs)
  • Support recognition and reward initiatives in collaboration with Compensation & Benefits teams
• Succession Planning & Talent Development
  • Design and maintain a transparent career pathing and internal mobility framework
  • Establish and manage the organisational succession planning framework
  • Identify critical roles and build internal successor pipelines
  • Work with business leaders to identify high‑potential talent
  • Define development pathways for successors to ensure leadership continuity
  • Ensure succession plans are aligned with wider talent and workforce strategies
• Stakeholder Management & Reporting
  • Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders across all business units
  • Partner with HR, Talent and Leadership teams to align development initiatives
  • Manage relationships with local and international training providers
  • Prepare accurate and timely reports, insights and analytics for leadership
  • Support positioning the organisation as an employer of choice through strong people development practices
• Leadership & Governance
  • Provide guidance, coaching and on‑the‑job development for junior team members
  • Promote organisational values, ethics and a high‑performance culture
  • Support policy development and continuous improvement initiatives
  • Ensure compliance with corporate governance, risk and business continuity frameworks

Mandatory Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree minimum qualifications
• Candidates preferred who are already in Abu Dhabi or willing to relocate
• Extensive experience in succession planning
• Minimum of 8 years experience in L&D