Head of Learning and Development

National Oceanography Centre; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 69,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

Pension scheme 10% employer contrib.

Death in Service (3x salary)

Job summary

National Oceanography Centre in Southampton invites applications for Head of Learning & Development. You will shape a comprehensive learning, leadership and talent strategy and drive organisation-wide development initiatives to strengthen performance and growth.

Reporting to the Director of People & Culture, you will lead the design and delivery of impactful solutions, identify future capability needs and ensure investment translates into meaningful outcomes for our people and the organisation.

Qualifications

• Seasoned learning and development leader with a strategic mindset.
• Proven track record delivering learning, leadership and talent strategies in complex organisations.
• Strong ability to build trusted relationships and influence across the organisation.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of an organisation-wide learning, leadership and talent strategy.
• Ensure access to high-quality development opportunities that build capability and support career growth.
• Oversee learning and development, leadership capability, talent management and succession planning.

Skills

Leadership

L&D strategy

Stakeholder management

Change management

People development

Tools

HR systems

Job description

• Job Description and Person Specification (PDF, 136.05kb)

Location

Southampton

Function

People and Culture

Group

Learning & Development

Salary

£69,411 - £76,356

Closing Date

17/11/2026

Job Reference

NOC12377

Documents

• Job Description and Person Specification (PDF, 136.05kb)

National Oceanography Centre, Southampton

Permanent

Full time (37 hours per week)

£69,411 – £76,356

Please note that we aim to complete first stage interviews between 23rd - 27th November, if we require second stage interviews they will be completed by 4th December.

Who are we?

We are the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) - the UK’s leading institution for integrated coastal and deep ocean research. Through our ground-breaking research, collaboration, and game-changing innovation we work to gain a deeper understanding of our ocean, helping every living thing on our planet flourish.

We are made up of a dynamic and vibrant community focused on solving challenging long-term marine science problems, underpinning international and UK public policy, business and societal outcomes.

The ocean has the potential to provide the solutions to so many of the social, economic and environmental challenges we face worldwide. To truly harness the value of the ocean, we put ocean research, science and discovery at the heart of our culture.

Join us in shaping the future of oceanographic research and contribute your unique perspective to our organisation.

About The Role

At the National Oceanography Centre (NOC), our people are at the heart of delivering world-leading science. As Head of Learning & Development, you will play a key role in shaping the skills, leadership and talent needed to deliver our ambitious strategy and future success.

Reporting to the Director of People & Culture, you will lead the development and delivery of an organisation-wide learning, leadership and talent strategy. Working closely with leaders across NOC, you will ensure colleagues have access to high-quality development opportunities that build capability, support career growth and strengthen organisational performance.

You will lead our approach to learning and development, leadership capability, talent management and succession planning, helping to create a culture of continuous learning and growth. Using insight and innovation, you will identify future capability needs, design impactful solutions and ensure our investment in development delivers meaningful outcomes for both our people and the organisation.

Through this work, you will help ensure NOC remains a great place to work, grow and build a career, enabling the talent and expertise that underpin our world‑class science.

About You

You are an experienced and strategic learning and development leader who is passionate about helping people realise their potential. You understand how learning, leadership and talent development can drive individual success, organisational performance and cultural change.

You have a strong track record of designing and delivering learning and talent strategies in complex organisations and are equally comfortable shaping long-term direction and delivering practical solutions. You build trusted relationships quickly, influence with confidence and work collaboratively to turn organisational priorities into meaningful development opportunities.

You are curious, forward-thinking and motivated by making a difference. Above all, you are committed to creating an environment where people can learn, grow and thrive, recognising that great organisations are built through investing in their people.

Why NOC?

We Offer a Generous Set Of Benefits, Including

• 30 days contractual annual leave, plus 3.5 extra closure days and bank holidays
• a 10% employer contribution pension scheme (with a 15% NI saving on employee contributions made above 5%, if in the salary sacrifice scheme)
• Death in Service (3 times annual salary) provided by Aviva from day one of employment, plus access to a range of other Aviva wellbeing services
• financial support for relocation
• a salary sacrifice scheme for electric / hybrid vehicles (qualifying period applies)
• access to our Employee Assistance Programme, offering free and confidential support on mental, physical, emotional, health and financial issues
• access to a flexible benefits portal offering online discounts, cashback and eGift cards
• a Cycle2Work scheme allowing employees to acquire bikes and accessories
• a great working environment with a number of social events, including summer and Christmas celebrations
• we are proud to be a Living Wage Employer

Location

This position will be based in Southampton.

The centre is well connected by public transport and has ample cycle parking in addition to free onsite car-parking with over 40 EV charging points.

We have a hybrid working approach where for most positions staff can work from home up to 2 days per week. If you are interested in this position, but require a more flexible working arrangement, please contact the recruitment team using the contact details below.

We are committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We actively encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply for this position, as we strive to create a supportive and equitable environment where all voices are valued and heard.

Those seeking employment at NOC are considered solely on their qualifications, skills and experience, without regard to gender, gender identity, age, race, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, relationship status, family status (including pregnancy / maternity leave) or any other protected characteristic.

There is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates who meet the minimum criteria of the position and declare a disability.

Closing date: 17/11/2026. This vacancy may close earlier depending on the number of applicants.

Please note we are not accepting applications via recruitment agencies for this position.