Learning & Development Officer

Waverley Borough Council; Old Woking; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 45,000; 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

Local Government Pension Scheme

Job summary

Waverley Borough Council is seeking an experienced Learning & Development Officer to help shape the future of our workforce across Guildford and Waverley. You will lead planning and coordination of corporate learning programmes, support leadership development initiatives, drive employee engagement, and evaluate impact using data insights.

Based in our People & OD service, you will line-manage the L&D Co-ordinator and collaborate with colleagues across the wider team, contributing to inclusivity,

Qualifications

• Experience designing and delivering learning and development interventions.
• Strong background in leadership development, organisational culture and employee learning.
• Ability to analyse workforce data and turn insight into meaningful action.
• Excellent communication, coaching, facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to manage multiple programmes and priorities while maintaining high standards of delivery.
• Passion about inclusion, wellbeing and continuous learning.
• Experience within local government or the public sector and a relevant L&D or coaching qualification would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead on the 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 collaborate across the People & OD service.

Skills

Leadership development

Employee engagement

Data analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Program management

Coaching

Inclusion & wellbeing

Education

L&D or coaching qualification

Job description

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.

• 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. 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.

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