Workplace Development Manager

Bradford District and Craven Mind; Bradford; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

BDC Mind in Bradford is seeking an experienced Learning and Development lead to shape and deliver the organisation’s learning offer for staff and volunteers. You will design career pathways, coordinate the LMS rollout, and establish clear volunteering roles and progression.

You will partner with leaders to implement the People Strategy, evaluate learning impact, and support development opportunities across the workforce and volunteer base.

Qualifications

• Experience in workforce development, organisational development, L&D, or related field.
• Experience designing or implementing training programmes, frameworks, or learning systems (e.g., LMS).
• Experience supporting volunteers, including recruitment, engagement, or development.
• Experience contributing to organisational change or strategy implementation.
• Experience creating pathways into employment for underrepresented or vulnerable groups.
• Experience in charity/health/social care sector (ideally mental health).

Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of the People Strategy focusing on workforce development, retention, and culture of learning.
• Lead the rollout and successful implementation of the learner management system.
• Ensure compliance with mandatory training (e.g. safeguarding, health & safety, information governance).
• Develop structured learning pathways for different roles and levels.
• Evaluate the impact and effectiveness of learning interventions.
• Strengthen leadership capability across the organisation through development programs.
• Provide advice to managers on learning and workforce capability matters.
• Develop and implement a volunteering framework aligned with the People Strategy.
• Develop clear volunteer roles and pathways and oversee volunteering lifecycle.
• Build relationships with training providers and partners.
• Identify opportunities to enhance employees and volunteering capacity.
• Represent the organisation in sector forums.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical skills

Communication

Independent work

Education

HR/LD qualification

Job description

• Base: Kenburgh House, 28 Manor Row, Bradford, BD1 4QU
• Probationary Period: Six months
• Closing Date: Wednesday 26th August 10am 2026
• Interview Date: First week of September 2026

Role Background

BDC Mind has experienced significant growth in recent years. We have responded to increasing demand across our communities, expanded our services and welcomed new colleagues into our growing organisation.. As our workforce of staff and volunteers has grown, we have recognised the need to invest more in their development, ensuring they have access to meaningful development opportunities in order to fulfil their potential and support our organisational goals.

Working closely with leaders, managers and subject matter experts across the organisation, you will develop career pathways, create innovative learning solutions and support a culture of continuous learning.

This new role will be vital in in shaping and delivering our learning and development offer across all levels of the organisation.

Role Purpose

To make sure the people delivering our work—both staff and volunteers—have the support, skills, and opportunities they need to thrive and help the organisation achieve its mission.

Role Outcomes

• Support the implementation of the organisation’s People Strategy that focuses on workforce’s development, retention, and creates a culture of continuous learning, reflection, and development.
• Lead the roll out and successful implementation of the organisation’s learner management system.
• Ensure compliance with mandatory training (e.g. safeguarding, health & safety, information governance)
• Develop structured learning pathways for different roles and levels.
• Evaluate the impact and effectiveness of learning interventions.
• Strengthen leadership capability across the organisation by delivering or coordinating leadership development programs.
• Provide advice and guidance to managers on learning, development and workforce capability matters.
• Develop and implement a volunteering framework aligned with the organisation’s People Strategy.
• Develop clear, meaningful volunteer roles and pathways.
• Oversee and improve the volunteer lifecycle, providing guidance and support to the Volunteer Coordinator to ensure effective recruitment, onboarding, development, engagement and recognition.
• Build relationships with training providers, networks, and partners
• Identify opportunities to enhance employees and volunteering capacity
• Support developing career progress and succession planning across the organisation
• Represent the organisation in relevant sector forums
• Fully participating in all relevant training to develop and maintain your performance in the role.
• Demonstrating an ongoing commitment to our values: Caring Always, Working Together, Supporting Everyone, Enabling All and Continually Improving.
• Performing other duties as reasonably required within the role.

Person Specification

BDC Mind is committed to promoting mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and improving the quality of life for people with mental health challenges. We value diversity, inclusion and lived experiences when recruiting our staff and volunteers.

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in HR, learning & development, organisational development, or a related discipline.

Experience

• Experience in workforce development, organisational development, learning and development, or a related field.
• Proven experience designing or implementing training programmes, frameworks, or learning systems (e.g., LMS).
• Experience working with or supporting volunteers, including recruitment, engagement, or development.
• Experience contributing to organisational change or strategy implementation.
• Experience in creating pathways into employment for underrepresented or vulnerable groups.
• Experience working in or alongside the charity, health, or social care sector (ideally mental health).

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to think strategically and translate vision into practical solutions.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• Ability to engage, influence, and build relationships across all levels of an organisation.
• Analytical skills, with the ability to use data and feedback to drive improvement.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgement.

Knowledge

• Understanding of workforce development principles, including career progression and succession planning.
• Knowledge of learning design and adult learning approaches.
• knowledge of best practices in volunteer management and engagement.
• Understanding of equality, diversity, and inclusion in workforce development.
• Awareness of the challenges and context of mental health services.

Attitude and Personal Attributes

• Values-driven, with a strong commitment to inclusion, equity, and empowerment.
• Proactive, innovative, and solutions focused.
• Empathetic and able to work sensitively within a mental health context.
• Resilient and adaptable in changing organisation.
• Commitment to the values and mission of the charity.