Learning & Development Manager

Ashley Kate HR & Finance; Guildford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Private BUPA cover

Electric Vehicle salary sacrifice

Life Assurance (4x salary)

Enhanced maternity leave

Enhanced paternity leave

Job summary

Nicholas Associates Group is partnering with a leading law firm to recruit a Learning & Development Manager in Guildford. Hybrid working (4 days on-site) with a strong focus on building and embedding a modern L&D strategy that supports business growth and career progression.

You will own the L&D agenda, develop competency frameworks, and ensure learning activities align with SRA requirements while delivering measurable business outcomes and high-quality development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Learning & Development Manager or Senior L&D role.
• Strong understanding of SRA regulations, lawyer competency requirements and professional development frameworks.
• Experience designing competency frameworks and career development pathways.
• Expertise in Training Needs Analysis and organisational capability development.
• Experience supporting performance management and succession planning initiatives.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• The ability to move strategically while remaining hands-on in delivery.
• A passion for creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the firm's Learning & Development strategy.
• Conduct comprehensive Training Needs Analysis (TNA) across all business areas.
• Design and embed competency frameworks aligned to performance and development objectives.
• Support the implementation of a new performance review framework linked to competencies and career progression.
• Create clear career pathways and succession planning processes.
• Partner with business leaders to identify capability gaps and development solutions.
• Support and provide recommendations to the firm's Training Committee.
• Lead the design and delivery of learning programmes across both legal and business support functions.
• Develop blended learning solutions, including digital and online learning resources.
• Work closely with HR, Compliance and IT teams to enhance learning infrastructure and delivery.
• Support trainee development programmes and wider talent initiatives.
• Ensure learning activities align with SRA requirements and emerging best practice around supervision and competence.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Hands-on delivery

L&D expertise

SRA regulations

Job description

Learning & Development Manager

Guildford | Hybrid Working (4 Days On-Site) £60,000 - £65,000 + Excellent Benefits

Are you an experienced Learning & Development professional with a background in the legal sector? Do you have the expertise to build and embed a modern L&D strategy that supports business growth, develops talent, and strengthens career progression?

We are partnering with a well-established and highly respected law firm to recruit a Learning & Development Manager. This is a newly enhanced role, offering the opportunity to shape and drive the firm's people development agenda at an exciting stage of its evolution.

This position will suit someone who understands the regulatory environment within legal services and can translate learning initiatives into measurable business outcomes.

The Opportunity

Reporting into the HR leadership team, you will take ownership of the firm's Learning & Development strategy, ensuring colleagues at all levels have access to high-quality development opportunities that support both individual growth and business objectives.

You will play a key role in creating clear career pathways, enhancing capability frameworks, supporting succession planning, and embedding a culture of continuous learning across the organisation.

This is a highly visible role with significant scope to influence and make a lasting impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the firm's Learning & Development strategy.
• Conduct comprehensive Training Needs Analysis (TNA) across all business areas.
• Design and embed competency frameworks aligned to performance and development objectives.
• Support the implementation of a new performance review framework linked to competencies and career progression.
• Create clear career pathways and succession planning processes.
• Partner with business leaders to identify capability gaps and development solutions.
• Support and provide recommendations to the firm's Training Committee.
• Lead the design and delivery of learning programmes across both legal and business support functions.
• Develop blended learning solutions, including digital and online learning resources.
• Work closely with HR, Compliance and IT teams to enhance learning infrastructure and delivery.
• Support trainee development programmes and wider talent initiatives.
• Ensure learning activities align with SRA requirements and emerging best practice around supervision and competence.

About You

We are keen to speak with Learning & Development professionals who have experience within a law firm or professional services environment.

• Proven experience in a Learning & Development Manager or Senior L&D role.
• Strong understanding of SRA regulations, lawyer competency requirements and professional development frameworks.
• Experience designing competency frameworks and career development pathways.
• Expertise in Training Needs Analysis and organisational capability development.
• Experience supporting performance management and succession planning initiatives.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• The ability to move strategically while remaining hands-on in delivery.
• A passion for creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences.

What's on Offer?

• Salary of £60,000 - £65,000
• Hybrid working with 4 days on-site and 1 day from home
• 25 days annual leave plus the option to buy or sell up to 5 additional days
• 5% employer pension contribution
• Private BUPA cover for employees, with the option to add family members
• Electric Vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Life Assurance (4x salary)
• Enhanced maternity leave with 6 months' full pay
• Enhanced paternity leave with 3 weeks' full pay

About Us

We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. In line with our Diversity and Inclusion policy, we welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. As a Disability Confident Employer, and part of the Nicholas Associates Group, we are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities, and we're happy to discuss flexible working options.

We are committed to protecting the privacy of all our candidates and clients. If you choose to apply, your information will be processed in accordance with the Nicholas Associates Group of companies.