Learning and Development Manager

Weaver Vale Housing Trust; England; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK housing association is seeking a Learning and Development Manager to lead the design of innovative learning strategies and deliver key development interventions. The successful candidate will support organisational goals, drive performance, and enhance employee capabilities. This role requires a relevant qualification in learning and development, extensive experience in creating development frameworks, and familiarity with learning management systems. The position offers competitive benefits and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

12% employer pension contribution

Health and Wellbeing Allowance

Professional membership compensation

Cycle to work scheme

Free car park

Qualifications

• Strong evidence of ongoing professional development.
• Experience of working with business leaders to diagnose needs.
• Experience contributing to change, talent, and engagement projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of a strategic learning framework.
• Shape the L&D strategy and manage budgets.
• Champion a culture of continuous development.

Skills

Designing development interventions

Experience with learning management systems

Leading an L&D function

Professional qualification in L&D

Education

Relevant learning and development professional qualification

Job description

Job Title

Learning and Development Manager (Permanent)

Hours

37 hours per week (to be worked flexibly in line with business needs)

Salary

£53,000 (Full Time Equivalent based on 37 hours) per annum

Location

Based at Gadbrook Park, Northwich.

Flexibility to work from a variety of places

including our office at Gadbrook Park, Northwich and home (dependent on the job role and the needs of our customer, our organisation and our teams)

Overview

Weaver Vale Housing Trust has an exciting opportunity for someone who is looking to develop their career with a great company. Are you passionate about unlocking potential and creating learning experiences that truly make a difference? We’re looking for an inspiring Learning and Development Manager to lead the design and delivery of innovative, inclusive learning that empowers our people to thrive. This is a fantastic opportunity to shape our learning strategy, champion continuous development and work collaboratively across the organisation to build capability, confidence and future‑ready skills. If you love turning ideas into impactful learning and want to play a key role in driving performance and engagement, we’d love to hear from you.

What Will You Do?

You lead the design and delivery of a strategic learning framework that builds capability, drives performance, and supports organisational goals. You’ll shape L&D strategy, modernise training, manage budgets, and champion a culture of continuous development. Key areas include succession planning, induction, apprenticeships, and talent initiatives.

Minimum Requirements For This Role

• Relevant learning and development professional qualification, or working towards, or strong evidence of ongoing professional development.
• Full UK driving licence
• Experience of designing and delivering a range of development interventions.
• Experience of leading an L&D function within a small to medium organisation or holding a management position in a large organisation.
• Experience of working with business leaders to diagnose need and propose effective interventions.
• Experience of contributing to change, talent, succession and engagement projects.
• Experience of sound working knowledge of learning and development theory and good practice approaches.
• Experience of using and implementing learning management systems.

Due to the nature of the role, a full current driving licence and access to a car is essential. The role will also require the successful candidate to undergo a DBS check.

In line with the Trust’s Disclosure & Barring Policy, please confirm WITHIN YOUR APPLICATION if you have any current convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants will be subject to a DBS check.

Additionally, due to the flexible working arrangements with this role, you will need access to a room where you can work from and a suitable internet connection.

Please see Accountability profile for further information and requirements.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Generous annual leave entitlement – 29 days (for managers in ‘Leadership’ group) holidays plus UK public/bank holidays (based on level of service) (part‑time pro‑rata)
• Ability to buy up to 5 additional annual leave days (pro‑rata for part‑time) each year
• 12% employer contribution to our Pension Scheme (minimum 2% employee contribution) with life assurance benefit.
• Contribution to the cost of nursery or afterschool care to help with childcare costs.
• Commitment to support your ongoing learning and development, with the opportunity to develop a range of transferable skills.
• Day off for your birthday to be taken during your birth month (based on contractual hours)
• One day’s paid leave (per year) to support a charity or community group of your own choice
• Candidate Referral Scheme
• An annual Health and Wellbeing Allowance or the option to enrol in a Health Cash Plan
• ‘Thank you’ gift for your continuous service starting at 5 years’ service, and every 5 years thereafter
• 24/7, 365‑day Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) including free counselling
• Compensation for professional memberships which are an expressed requirement for the role
• Free annual flu vaccines and free Eye Care Vouchers
• Discounts on a gym membership and phone contract
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free to use car park at our office on Gadbrook Park
• Involvement in regular health and wellbeing initiatives and charity fundraising activities
• Opportunities to give feedback and join various colleague forums, to help shape change at the Trust
• Benefits offered providing you meet the eligibility criteria

How To Apply

Closing date for applications: Thursday 22/01/2026 (12:00 noon)

Virtual first stage interviews: Wednesday 28/01/2026

Second stage in person and presentation: Thursday 05/02/2026

Please review the job information pack on our website for further information and submit your CV with a covering letter (maximum 2 pages) demonstrating how you meet the essential and desirable criteria in relation to the accountability profile.

Those applicants that consider themselves to have a disability and meet the essential criteria within the accountability profile for the role will be guaranteed an interview. Please confirm within your application if you consider yourself to have a disability and what reasonable adjustments may be required for you to attend an interview or assessment.

Disclaimer

• We may conduct social media checks from sources such as Google, Facebook and LinkedIn to assist us in our assessment of your suitability for the role.
• We reserve the right depending on application numbers to close or extend the closing dates for positions; we would therefore recommend an early application.
• Once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
• The recruiting manager will review your skills and experience to determine if there is a match with the position you have applied for. If there is, we will contact you by phone or email to schedule an interview / assessment. If not, you will not be contacted.
• We would love to respond to all unsuccessful applications but due to the number we receive this is unfortunately not possible. We will respond to all shortlisted applications within 3 weeks of a vacancy closing. If you haven’t heard from us during this time, we will not be pursuing your application any further.
• Successful applicants will be required to provide evidence of their Right to Work in the UK evidence of essential qualifications, complete a health questionnaire and undertake a DBS check (if relevant to the role).
• We reserve the right to refuse applications if they do not have an accompanying cover letter.

We appreciate your interest in Weaver Vale Housing Trust and the time you have invested in applying to us.

The Trust invites applications from all members of the community, irrespective of gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief, disability, age, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership.