Learning and Development Officer

Waverley Borough Council; Guildford; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid and agile working policies

Training and development opportunities

Generous annual leave and flexi time

Employee assistance programme

Membership of the Local Government P­h

Job summary

Waverley Borough Council is seeking an experienced Learning & Development Officer to shape the future of our workforce across Guildford and Waverley. You will lead on planning and delivering a comprehensive learning and leadership development offer, embedding our People Strategy.

Reporting to the People & OD team, you will drive employee engagement, analyse workforce data to inform action, and line-manage the L&D Co-ordinator while partnering across the council to deliver high-quality

Qualifications

• Experience designing and delivering learning and development interventions.
• Strong background in leadership development, organisational culture and employee learning.
• Ability to analyse workforce and engagement data and turn insight into action.
• Excellent communication, coaching, facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to manage multiple programmes and priorities while maintaining high quality delivery.
• Passion for inclusion, wellbeing and continuous learning.

Responsibilities

• Lead on planning and coordination of corporate learning programmes.
• Support leadership development initiatives and drive employee engagement activities.
• Use data and insight to evaluate impact and continuously improve outcomes.
• Line manage the L&D Co-ordinator and partner with colleagues across People & OD.

Skills

Learning & development

Leadership development

Employee engagement

Stakeholder engagement

Coaching & facilitation

Data analysis & insight

Relationship building

Education

L&D or coaching qualification (advantageous)

Job description

At Waverley Borough Council, we believe in strong communities, excellent service, and creating a supportive workplace where people can thrive. Whether you’re building your career or bringing valuable experience, this is your opportunity to contribute to something meaningful.

About the Role

We're looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Learning & Development Officer to play a key leadership role in shaping the future of our workforce across Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils.

Working within our People & OD team, you'll help embed our People Strategy by developing leadership capability, strengthening employee engagement, and delivering a high-quality learning and development offer.

You'll lead on the planning and coordination of corporate learning programmes, support leadership development initiatives, drive employee engagement activities, and use data and insight to evaluate impact and continuously improve outcomes. The role also includes line management responsibility for the L&D Co-ordinator and close partnership working with colleagues across the wider People & OD service.

About You

We're looking for someone who:

• Has experience designing and delivering learning and development interventions.
• Has a strong background in leadership development, organisational culture and employee learning.
• Can analyse workforce and engagement data and turn insight into meaningful action.
• Has excellent communication, coaching, facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Can manage multiple programmes and priorities while maintaining high standards of delivery.
• Is passionate about inclusion, wellbeing and continuous learning.
• Can build effective relationships and influence colleagues at all levels of the organisation.

Experience within local government or the wider public sector and a relevant L&D or coaching qualification would be advantageous.

What We Offer

In return for your valued contribution, we offer a competitive benefits package which includes:

- Hybrid and agile working policies

- Training and development opportunities including apprenticeships

- Generous annual leave and flexi time

- An employee assistance programme

- Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme

You can find out more about working at Waverley and our benefits by visiting: Jobs | Waverley Borough Council

The closing date for application is 9am on the 31st August 2026 and we anticipate interviews being held on 9th September 2026.

Equality and Inclusion Statement

The district is home to many different people, and we want our workforce to reflect our diverse local communities. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences – we are a Disability Confident employer and appoint on merit. You can find out more about this scheme and check your eligibility here - Working at Waverley Borough Council | Waverley Borough Council

We are proud to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and welcome applications from serving or ex-members of the armed forces and their partners. We offer an interview scheme for serving and ex-military forces members when they meet the essential criteria for the role. You can find out more about this scheme and check your eligibility here - Working at Waverley Borough Council | Waverley Borough Council

Please note we do not accept applications after the stated closing time.

Right to work in the UK will be checked as part of the interview process.

Information

We understand that some applicants may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist with preparing their applications.

All submitted information, whether supported by AI or not, must accurately reflect the applicant’s own skills, experience, and qualifications.

Recruitment decisions will be based on how well applicants demonstrate these attributes during the interview and selection process.

From April 2027, Guildford Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council will become part of the new West Surrey unitary council, following the government’s confirmed plans for local government reorganisation across Surrey. This change will see the current twelve councils replaced by two new authorities, East Surrey and West Surrey, with West Surrey taking responsibility for the areas currently served by Guildford, Waverley, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath and Woking.

As we move towards this transition, our focus remains firmly on delivering high‑quality, value‑for‑money services and staying true to our shared organisational values of Collaboration, Wellbeing, Trusted, Value for Money and Professionalism.

We recognise that any period of organisational change can bring questions, particularly regarding future structures and working arrangements. Throughout this process, we are committed to supporting our colleagues with transparency and care prioritising wellbeing, maintaining a trusted and open dialogue, and ensuring continued access to learning and professional development opportunities.

While the exact shape of the new West Surrey Council beyond 2027 is still being developed, joining us now means becoming part of an organisation where collaboration thrives and where your contribution will directly influence one of the most significant local government transformations in decades. You’ll gain valuable experience, play an active role in shaping the future of public services across West Surrey, and work within a team committed to professionalism and delivering outstanding outcomes for our communities.

Together, we will ensure a smooth transition and continue to deliver exceptional services for residents both now and into the future.