Head of Learning & Professional Development

Festival of Work; Gateshead; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary up to £46,000 FTE

Hybrid/remote with travel

Generous annual leave

Employer pension contribution withenh

Job summary

Festival of Work seeks a Head of Learning & Professional Development to design and implement a nationwide learning strategy for members, partners and staff. You will lead a team, collaborate with stakeholders, and shape a modern, high‑impact learning offer across digital and live formats.

You will drive CPD strategy, mentoring, and recognition programmes, while exploring commercially viable learning products and ensuring a strong user experience across the LMS.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading Learning & Development functions or programmes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the organisation's Learning & Professional Development strategy.
• Design a professional development framework enabling members to plan and record CPD.
• Lead learning programmes, events and digital learning opportunities.
• Enhance LMS to deliver an outstanding user experience.
• Identify opportunities to grow commercially focused learning products and services.

Skills

L&D leadership

Strategy design

Stakeholder engagement

Commercial mindset

Hybrid working

Tools

Learning Management System (LMS)

Job description

* **Head of Learning & Professional Development**# Head of Learning & Professional DevelopmentMLC PartnersGateshead£47,000Full TimeNon CIPD member28 November 2026View more categories* Job Details**Head of Learning & Professional Development****Permanent | Up to £46,000 FTE | Hybrid/Remote (regular travel to Gateshead and occasionally across the UK)**MLC Partners is delighted to be partnering with a respected professional membership organisation to recruit a Head of Learning & Professional Development.This is a newly created leadership role offering the opportunity to shape the future of learning and professional development within a nationally significant sector. Reporting directly to the CEO, you'll have the autonomy to design strategy, influence organisational direction, and build a modern, engaging learning offer that delivers lasting impact.**The Opportunity**This is more than a traditional L&D role. You'll be responsible for creating and embedding a long-term learning and professional development strategy, ensuring members have access to innovative, high-quality development opportunities throughout their careers.Working closely with internal staff, volunteers, members and sector stakeholders, you'll help establish the frameworks, systems and programmes that support continuous professional development while identifying new commercial opportunities to enhance the organisation's offering.**Key Responsibilities*** Develop and deliver the organisation's Learning & Professional Development strategy.* Design a professional development framework enabling members to effectively plan and record CPD.* Lead the development of engaging learning programmes, events and digital learning opportunities.* Enhance learning management systems to deliver an outstanding user experience.* Develop and expand mentoring and professional recognition programmes.* Identify opportunities to grow commercially focused learning products and services.* Manage budgets, governance, reporting, policies and risk within your portfolio.* Contribute as a vital member of the institute to develop the wider organisational strategy.**Key criteria**We welcome conversations with ambitious Learning & Development professionals who enjoy building new initiatives and influencing organisational strategy.You'll bring:* Significant experience leading Learning & Development functions or programmes.* Experience designing learning strategies, frameworks or professional development pathways.* Knowledge of online learning platforms and digital learning solutions.* Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.* A commercial mindset with the ability to identify and pursue opportunities for growth.* The ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.* A collaborative and proactive approach, with a genuine passion for helping people develop.Experience within membership organisations, professional bodies, instructional design or project management would be advantageous, although sector experience is not essential.**Benefits*** Salary up to **£46,000 FTE** (with a salary review after one year).* Hybrid working with the flexibility to work predominantly remotely.* Applications welcomed from candidates seeking 4 or 5 days per week.* Generous annual leave.* Employer pension contribution with enhanced matching.* Professional membership funding and ongoing personal development.* Flexible working and excellent work-life balance.* The opportunity to shape a brand-new function and make a lasting impact nationally.If you're looking for a role where you can influence strategy, create meaningful learning experiences and help shape the future development of an entire profession, we'd be delighted to hear from you.