Head of Training, Learning & Development

Early Years Wales; Pontypridd; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

23 days holiday

Company pension

Hybrid working up to 60%

Job summary

Early Years Wales is seeking a strategic Head of Training, Learning & Development to lead the organisation's training outputs and development strategy. Based in Wales with hybrid working, you will shape the learning portfolio and align it with workforce needs.

You will oversee a team, manage partnerships, and drive Welsh language improvements across the sector while contributing to leadership decisions at the senior level.

Qualifications

• Experience of writing learning / training materials for the early years workforce.
• Experience of managing local authority / Welsh Government / externally funded projects.
• Experience of working with disparate teams.
• Experience of working or volunteering in early years settings.
• Sound understanding of the links between play and child development, including the first 1000 days.
• Experience of quality assurance of training.
• Experience of delivering accredited qualifications is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop, plan, and implement a learning/training programme to meet the needs of the Early Years workforce.
• Identify current and future learning needs within the Early Years workforce.
• Monitor and evaluate all learning/training delivery.
• Coordinate freelance Training Associates to deliver learning/training programmes on an assignment-by-assignment basis.
• Create online training opportunities.
• Work with the administration team to set up, monitor and evaluate booking systems.
• Take the lead in strategic (and where needed) operational delivery of learning/training projects.
• Create a project plan for the design and implementation of the learning / training programme including timelines, dependencies, resources (human and financial), and milestones.
• Co-ordinate the process of receiving and signing off contracts (ultimate decision is by Chief Executive)
• Maintain Early Years Wales' in-house training portfolio and extend this over time

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Stakeholder management

Budget management

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Team management

Training materials

Welsh language

Education

Leadership/Management qualifications

CCPLD

Early Childhood Studies degree

Education Degree

PGCE

Childcare qualifications

Training/assessing qualifications

Job description

Job Title: Head of Training, Learning & Development

Location: Office base of Treforest or St. Asaph with hybrid working for up to 60% of the working week

Salary: £39,192.26 per annum FTE

Job Type: Full time, Permanent

Hours: 35 hours per week, 52 weeks of the year

About us:

For more than 60 years, Early Years Wales has been championing children, families and the early years sector. Today, we are Wales' leading membership organisation for early childhood play, learning and care, supporting providers, practitioners, volunteers, parents and communities to create the best possible experiences for young children.

About the role:

We are looking for a strategic and driven Head of Training, Learning & Development to join the team. As a Head of Training, Learning & Development you will provide leadership for all Early Years Wales' training, learning and development outputs.

Within this role you will influence the operational plan, including effective and honest self-evaluation and improvement setting as well as work with the Welsh team to coordinate and manage WESP responses and meet Cwlwm targets for Welsh language improvements in the childcare sector.

You will also contribute to the leadership group and drive actions related to strategic priorities.

Main Duties:

• Develop, plan, and implement a learning/training programme to meet the needs of the Early Years workforce.
• Identify current and future learning needs within the Early Years workforce.
• Monitor and evaluate all learning/training delivery.
• Participate in the selection and appointment of suitable freelance Training Associates to deliver learning/training programmes on an assignment-by-assignment basis.
• Create online training opportunities.
• Work with the administration team to set up, monitor and evaluate booking systems.
• Take the lead in strategic (and where needed) operational delivery of learning/training projects.
• Create a project plan for the design and implementation of the learning / training programme including timelines, dependencies, resources (human and financial), and milestones.
• Co-ordinate the process of receiving and signing off contracts (ultimate decision is by Chief Executive)
• Maintain Early Years Wales' in-house training portfolio and extend this over time

Other Key Aspects of the role:

• Project Management
• Stakeholder Management / Strategy
• Tenders / Bids
• Marketing / PR
• Personal Development
• HR
• Budget Management

About you:

Essential Skills, Qualifications and Experience:

• Experience of writing learning / training materials for the early years workforce
• Experience of managing local authority / Welsh Government / externally funded projects
• Experience of working with disparate teams
• Experience of working or volunteering in early years settings
• Sound understanding of the importance of the links between play and child development, including the first 1000 days of childhood.
• Experience of quality assurance of training
• Suitable qualifications to demonstrate competence to deliver against role objectives. This could include: Leadership / management qualifications (or suitable experience as a leader or manager) Childcare / training/ assessing qualifications. Transferable qualifications that demonstrate a suitability for the role, CCPLD, Early Childhood Studies degree or similar, Education Degree or PGCE
• Ability to work strategically, prioritise workflow, meet objectives, respond to tight deadlines and contribute to the leadership values of Early Years Wales.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing with people from a wide variety of backgrounds.
• Ability to develop engaging and informative training materials (lesson plans and resources)
• Ability to carry out research and engage with local communities.
• Ability to work independently and use your initiative
• Ability to work alone and as part of a team
• Competence to manage a team

Desirable Experience:

• Experience of delivering and assessing accredited qualifications and / or creating accredited training
• Experience of the development of and use of online learning programmes
• Experience of collating data and information
• Ability to speak Welsh / commitment to learning Welsh to A2 level (Can handle simple routine tasks and short exchanges).
• Experience of managing budgets
• Experience of tendering or bidding for grant funding

Benefits:

• 23 days holiday per annum plus bank holidays, increasing on length of service.
• Contribution to company pension.
• Hybrid working with up to 60% of allocated time available to work flexibly.

Additional Information:

• Applications Close: Sunday, 8 November 2026 at 11:59
• Interviews: Monday, 23 November 2026
• Interviews will be held in person

Candidates with the experience and relevant job titles of; Learning & Development Manager, Learning Manager, Head of Learning and Development, Learning and Development Lead, Senior Learning and Development Officer, Learning and Development Operations, Operational Planning Manager - Education may also be considered for this role