Training & Development Specialist

Ask Acorn; Galway; Hybrid; EUR 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

Annual performance based bonus

Company pension scheme, sick leave, we

Sports and Social

Job summary

Ask Acorn in Galway (Head office with remote options) is seeking a Training & Development Specialist to design, deliver and measure learning initiatives across the group. You will identify development needs, create practical solutions, maintain training records and drive competence and career progression.

The role requires 5+ years in financial services training, experience with regulated audiences and proficiency in LMS, AI-enabled content creation and MS 365 tools.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in the financial services industry.
• Preferably experience in Life, Pensions and Investments in training, coaching, adviser-development or learning role.
• Experience preparing and delivering training for regulated financial services audiences.
• Experience maintaining CPD, qualification or training-completion records.
• Experience with Learning Management Systems or online learning platforms.
• Experience designing assessments, feedback tools and learner evaluation mechanisms.
• Experience in AI-enabled learning, digital content creation, Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of CPC, MCC/MCR, CPD requirements, IDR, GDPR and conduct standards relevant to financial services distribution.
• Experience working with sales management, branch structures, adviser networks or support functions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct training needs analysis across advisers, staff and management.
• Analyse output from surveys, manager feedback, compliance monitoring, business MI, quality reviews and strategic initiatives.
• Develop training programmes internally or identify suitable external providers where required.
• Design post-programme tools for attendees and line managers to support workplace application and behavioural change.
• Ensure programmes are developed and delivered within approved budget.
• Support the Training & Development Team with training delivery, facilitation and programme administration.
• Update and expand the current training library for targeted online completion, assessment and feedback.
• Use authorised AI tools to improve content development, learner support, assessment design and training administration, subject to governance and review.
• Design tailored training and development modules to support career progression, efficiency and capability development.
• Maintain up-to-date records for each relevant resource, including qualifications, CPD hours, in-person training, online modules, assessments and feedback.
• Prepare training MI and insight reports for managers and T&D leadership.
• Support induction, onboarding, regulatory change training, product training, system adoption and leadership/middle-management development where required.

Skills

Training needs analysis

Instructional design

Facilitation and coaching

Regulatory awareness

Stakeholder management

Analytical mindset

Organisation and governance

Tools

Learning Management Systems

AI-enabled learning tools

Microsoft 365

Teams

SharePoint

PowerPoint

Job description

The Training & Development Specialist will support the design, delivery, measurement and continuous improvement of learning and development activity across the Group. The role will work with managers, advisers and support teams to identify development needs, create practical learning solutions, maintain accurate training records and ensure learning activity supports competence, compliance, efficiency and career progression.

Location

Head office Galway with remote options

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct training needs analysis across advisers, staff and management.
• Analyse output from surveys, manager feedback, compliance monitoring, business MI, quality reviews and strategic initiatives.
• Develop training programmes internally or identify suitable external providers where required.
• Design post-programme tools for attendees and line managers to support workplace application and behavioural change.
• Ensure programmes are developed and delivered within approved budget.
• Support the Training & Development Team with training delivery, facilitation and programme administration.
• Update and expand the current training library for targeted online completion, assessment and feedback.
• Use authorised AI tools to improve content development, learner support, assessment design and training administration, subject to governance and review.
• Design tailored training and development modules to support career progression, efficiency and capability development.
• Maintain up-to-date records for each relevant resource, including qualifications, CPD hours, in-person training, online modules, assessments and feedback.
• Prepare training MI and insight reports for managers and T&D leadership.
• Support induction, onboarding, regulatory change training, product training, system adoption and leadership/middle-management development where required.

Essential Experience and Qualifcations

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in the financial services industry.
• Preferably experience in Life, Pensions and Investments in training, coaching, adviser-development or learning role.
• Experience preparing and delivering training for regulated financial services audiences.
• Experience maintaining CPD, qualification or training-completion records.
• Experience with Learning Management Systems or online learning platforms.
• Experience designing assessments, feedback tools and learner evaluation mechanisms.
• Experience in AI-enabled learning, digital content creation, Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of CPC, MCC/MCR, CPD requirements, IDR, GDPR and conduct standards relevant to financial services distribution.
• Experience working with sales management, branch structures, adviser networks or support functions.

Core Competencies

Competency

Description

Training needs analysis Able to identify, prioritise and evidence knowledge, skills and behavioural gaps.

Instructional design
Designs practical, engaging and measurable learning solutions.

Facilitation and coaching Confident delivering workshops, virtual sessions, coaching and post-programme support.

Regulatory awareness Understands the importance of competence, CPD, customer outcomes and evidence in a regulated environment.

Stakeholder management Builds credibility with advisers, managers, support teams, Compliance, HR and external providers.

Digital capability Comfortable developing online materials and using authorised AI tools to improve learning outcomes.

Analytical mindset Uses data, feedback and business MI to identify trends and measure impact.

Organisation and governance Maintains clear records, version control, budgets and reporting discipline.

Supporting this,
we offer excellent
benefits that includes:

• Flexible working options
• Annual performance based bonus
• Company pension scheme, sick leave, employee assistance programme.
• Sports and Social

To perform in this key role, you will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and a full clean driving licence.

Please note that all positions are located in the Republic of Ireland and that all applicants must have the necessary permits to work in the Republic of Ireland with immediate effect.