Management Development Lead

Kids Planet Day Nurseries; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading early years provider in the UK seeks a Management Development Lead to enhance managerial capabilities through well-structured learning and development programmes. The ideal candidate will be responsible for designing and delivering effective training, evaluating development interventions, and collaborating with various teams to align management training with business needs. This role offers a hybrid working environment and includes a range of benefits, making it a unique opportunity for professional growth within a supportive team culture.

Benefits

80% Childcare Discount

Free breakfasts and lunches

Enhanced parental leave

Life insurance cover

Dedicated wellbeing package

Qualifications

• Experience in designing and delivering management development programmes.
• Knowledge of management and leadership competencies.
• Ability to build relationships and manage stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Design learning and development programmes that enhance management skills.
• Deliver training and develop a core team of co-facilitators.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of all learning interventions.

Skills

Designing management development programmes

Digital platforms proficiency

Stakeholder management

Excellent communication skills

Early years sector knowledge

Job description

Overview

Our people are what make our family great, we’ll always encourage you to take on new opportunities and challenges – we want our teams to be the best! Kids Planet Day Nurseries are thrilled to offer an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic individual to join our growing People Team at our central support office in Lymm as a Management Development Lead.

Reporting to: People Director

Role Purpose

Responsible for designing, delivering, and evaluating learning and development programmes focused on building strong management capability across all levels. This role is pivotal in supporting the growth and continuous improvement of our managers, ensuring they have the skills and confidence to foster a positive, high-performing culture that aligns to the Kids Planet CARE values and vision. Facilitate management development for effective succession planning throughout the group as growth continues through acquisitions.

Key Responsibilities

• Design learning and development programmes that enhance management skills and competencies across various career stages and organisational levels.
• Adapt core programmes to suit various learner groups, including those new to Kids Planet and fast-track learners.
• Determine effective development methods to support learning in various geographical regions, with consideration to nursery and departmental operations.
• Create engaging materials using the Kids Planet e-learning platform, in-person sessions, and other creative approaches.
• Deliver training and develop a core team of co-facilitators drawn from People team colleagues and the broader organisation, ensuring consistent delivery standards are maintained.
• Plan and prioritise programme creation and implementation utilising data and insights from nursery performance, People KPIs, succession plans and recruitment needs.
• Conduct regular training needs analyses to identify skill gaps and areas for development within the management population, ensuring that programme content remains relevant and future-focused.
• Work collaboratively with the Early Years Training team to ensure that management development initiatives are aligned with and consider Early Years knowledge and skills development.
• Collaborate with the Kids Planet Training Academy to determine how management development programmes and Level 5+ qualifications can effectively complement one another.
• Work collaboratively with the Leadership and People Team to drive continuous improvement.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of all learning interventions, gathering feedback and utilising data to continuously refine and enhance the management development offering.
• Advocate the Kids Planet CARE values and ensure they are embedded in all learning.

Key Skills and Experience

• Experience in designing and delivering management development programmes.
• Knowledge of management and leadership competencies.
• Experience designing and implementing learning solutions that address a range of learner requirements.
• Proficient in using digital platforms and blended learning methods to support engagement and knowledge retention.
• Experience in multi-site organisations.
• Practical approach with awareness of operational priorities in customer-facing roles.
• Ability to build relationships and manage stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and engagement skills.
• Experience of the early years sector is an advantage.

Why Become a Management Development Lead with Kids Planet?

• A supportive, friendly team.
• Great Benefits Package
• Fast paced growing business with lots of scope for progression
• Great Place to Work Certified 2025/26
• Ranked #1 UK Best Workplaces for Women 2025
• Crowned NMT’s Large Nursery Group of the Year, for the second year running
• 80% Childcare Discount – T&Cs apply.

What’s in it for you?

• Free breakfast, lunches and healthy snacks including fresh fruit.
• Accredited training with the KP Academy.
• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity Fertility and Adoption leave.
• Regular staff rewards.
• Team appreciation events.
• Long service awards.
• Dedicated wellbeing package.
• Highly discounted childcare.
• A day off for your birthday.
• Life Insurance cover and access to a health plan.

Location

Hybrid working with Lymm office-based part week. Some travel and flexibility in working hours are required for training delivery.