Learning & Development Manager

Tiger Recruitment; Abu Dhabi Emirate; On-site; AED 300,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Tiger Recruitment represents a newly established government entity in Abu Dhabi seeking an experienced Learning & Development Manager to own the L&D function, craft the strategy, and drive delivery in a hands-on role.

You will build frameworks, implement infrastructure, and collaborate with senior leaders to align learning with growth and future capability needs.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of core L&D experience, establishing function, strategy and framework in SME.
• Strong expertise across Learning & Development, Talent Development and organisational capability.
• Proven ability to develop and implement L&D strategies, frameworks and programmes.
• Experience partnering with senior leadership and influencing stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to design and facilitate programmes and deliver learning initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Build and own the organisation's Learning & Development function.
• Manage the full L&D lifecycle from needs analysis to evaluation.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive L&D strategy and annual agenda.
• Conduct learning needs analyses and translate priorities into programmes.
• Partner with senior leaders to identify capability gaps and career paths.
• Establish L&D policies, processes, and governance frameworks.
• Design and deliver leadership, technical, and professional development programmes.
• Introduce modern learning modalities: digital, blended, experiential.
• Develop leadership and talent initiatives to support growth.
• Implement clear career pathways and progression frameworks.
• Identify external learning providers and training partners.
• Measure learning effectiveness with metrics and ROI reporting.
• Manage the L&D budget and resource allocation.

Skills

L&D strategy

Talent development

Stakeholder management

Programme design

Facilitation

Change management

Entrepreneurial mindset

Start-up environment

Strategic thinking

Education

CIPD or equivalent qualification

Tools

LMS / Learning platforms

Job description

Our client is a newly established government entity in Abu Dhabi, building its organisation and people infrastructure from the ground up. We are seeking an experienced Learning & Development Manager to take ownership of the L&D function and establish a best in class learning strategy aligned with the organisation’s growth and long-term objectives. This is a hands on, opportunity for an L&D professional who can develop the strategy, create the framework, implement the infrastructure, and personally drive delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and own the organisation’s Learning & Development function in its entirety.
• Managing the full L&D lifecycle, from needs analysis and programme design through to implementation, evaluation and continuous improvement.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive L&D strategy, roadmap and annual learning agenda.
• Conduct learning needs analyses and translate business priorities into targeted development programmes.
• Partner with senior stakeholders and business leaders to Partner with business leaders to identify capability gaps, future skills requirements, career frameworks, competency models and development pathways aligned with organisational and future capability requirements.
• Establish L&D policies, processes, frameworks, systems and governance.
• Design and deliver learning programmes across leadership, technical, functional and professional development.
• Introduce innovative and modern learning methodologies, including digital, blended and experiential learning.
• Develop leadership and talent development initiatives to support organisational growth.
• Implement career pathways across the organisation, creating clear progression frameworks, development requirements and learning opportunities for employees at different career stages.
• Identify and manage external learning providers, consultants and training partners.
• Establish appropriate metrics and reporting to measure learning effectiveness, ROI and employee development.
• Manage the L&D budget and ensure effective allocation of resources.

About You

• Candidates must currently be based and residing in Abu Dhabi.
• 5+ years of core L&D experience as a subject matter expert, establishing an L&D function, strategy and framework from scratch in an SME organisation.
• Strong expertise across Learning & Development, Talent Development and organisational capability building.
• Experience owning the L&D agenda rather than operating purely in a coordination or training administration capacity.
• Proven ability to develop and implement L&D strategies, frameworks, programmes and processes independently.
• Strong programme design and facilitation capability, with the confidence to personally deliver learning initiatives when required.
• Experience partnering with senior leadership and influencing stakeholders at all levels.
• A strong understanding of modern learning methodologies, talent development and organisational learning.
• Relevant professional qualifications in Learning & Development, HR, Organisational Development or a related discipline; CIPD or equivalent qualifications would be highly desirable.
• A proactive, entrepreneurial approach and the ability to operate effectively in a start-up environment where processes and infrastructure are still being established.
• The ability to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on execution.

Ref: TH205626