Manager, Learning & Development

Mcgillicuddy Hospitality; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent hospitality consultancy in Cape Town is seeking a Manager of Learning & Development. The role involves leading a team, designing impactful learning solutions, and managing projects to enhance client experiences. The ideal candidate will have 5-8 years of experience in learning design and a strong educational background in related fields. A competitive salary of R30K - R40K is offered, along with opportunities for career growth.

Benefits

Accommodation and meals for international assignments

Remote work flexibility after onboarding

Career growth opportunities

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of experience in learning design, program development, or related fields.
• Proven experience managing and coaching teams to deliver high-quality learning outputs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, confident presenter.

Responsibilities

• Lead the L&D team in the design, production, and delivery of learning programs.
• Manage team capacity and delegate effectively to meet project milestones.
• Provide feedback and coaching to team members and freelancers.

Skills

People Leadership & Coaching

Instructional Design & Visual Storytelling

Strategic Thinking

Digital Fluency

Operational Discipline

Client Gravitas & Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Education, Learning Design, Communications, or related field

Tools

ClickUp

Miro

PowerPoint / Keynote

Job description

McGillicuddy Hospitality partners with the world's leading hospitality and cruise brands to define their brand promises.

We develop and deliver programs to ensure every employee and leader is excited to deliver on that brand promise.

We are a multi-talented team, developing niche service programs, leadership development programs and other training initiatives, managing ship launches & hotel openings, procedural documentation, and much more for our clients.

Our team is growing, and we are searching for someone special who thrives on managing projects through their entire life cycle, developing learning solutions that have impact, and leading a team to deliver to the highest standards.

This person must be highly organized, structured, and committed to creating solutions that clients value and that ensures learners have a great experience.

They must be able to develop, implement, and manage processes while ensuring that execution remains seamless.

Position Description

The Manager, Learning & Development reports to the Managing Director and works in close partnership with the Manager, Client Success & Strategic Projects and the Manager, Operations & Integration.

They are responsible for leading the L&D function, managing a small internal team and a network of freelance contributors to deliver learning experiences that exceed client expectations.

This includes overseeing project timelines, allocating resources effectively, providing feedback and coaching to team members, and ensuring a culture of excellence, innovation, and hospitality within the team.

Our Values

• Authenticity: We always keep it real, and foster open and honest relationships
• Excellence: We are passionate about always doing our very best
• Impact: We move the needle by teaching meaningful skills to individuals and teams

The Practicalities

This role is based at our Cape Town office.

During the 90-day probationary period, this position requires full-time office presence for an accelerated onboarding program.

Thereafter, the role requires a minimum of three out of five days per week in-office.

The role includes some travel to project sites, with on-site commitments lasting 1–2 weeks per trip.

During these high-intensity phases, the role demands adaptability and a commitment to delivering exceptional results within tight timelines.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the L&D team in the design, production, and delivery of learning programs, toolkits, and digital resources that align with client and brand objectives.
• Manage team capacity, delegate work effectively, and ensure resources are allocated to meet project milestones and deadlines.
• Provide feedback and developmental guidance to team members and freelancers, conducting regular check-ins to uphold standards and encourage growth.
• Serve as the learning lead for assigned client accounts — shaping program strategy, maintaining communication, and ensuring a cohesive client experience.
• Collaborate with Client Success and Operations to ensure smooth project flow from briefing through delivery and post-program review.
• Facilitate occasional workshops or client sessions to present, test, or deliver learning content with impact and professionalism.
• Continuously innovate new learning formats, templates, and tools that enhance McGillicuddy's program portfolio and team capability.
• Oversee quality assurance processes, ensuring all materials meet McGillicuddy's creative, instructional, and operational standards.
• Manage and mentor freelance designers, facilitators, and subject matter experts, ensuring alignment with brand and delivery expectations.
• Foster a positive, values-driven team culture rooted in hospitality, creativity, and accountability.

Key Outcomes

• On-time, in-scope delivery: 95% of projects delivered on spec, within agreed timelines and budgets.
• Client NPS: Average 8.5; 70% response rate on post-program surveys, demonstrating consistent client satisfaction with learning design and delivery.
• Innovation cadence: Launch 6+ net-new learning assets per year (e.g., toolkits, videos, templates, digital modules) developed collaboratively by the team.
• Quality bar: 10% rework rate; % internal QC sign-off adoption and documented feedback cycles for continuous improvement.

Utilization – Maintain

• % billable / strategic work mix across team members; manage internal and freelance resources to balance workload and project flow.

Team Development

Provide regular feedback, performance coaching, and structured development opportunities to L&D team members.

Values Alignment

Ensure the L&D team models McGillicuddy's values of creativity, precision, and partnership in all interactions - both internal and client-facing.

Position Requirements and Rewards

Core Competencies

• People Leadership & Coaching: Builds a high-performing team environment by setting clear expectations, providing feedback, and fostering growth and accountability.
• Producer Mentality: Operates with an agency-style mindset — scopes, briefs, and orchestrates timelines with precision while ensuring the team maintains momentum and clarity.
• Instructional Design & Visual Storytelling: Leads the creation of engaging, clear, and visually compelling learning materials (slides, videos, toolkits, facilitator guides, and blended learning assets).
• Strategic Thinking: Translates complex client goals into structured learning journeys and ensures the team's creative output is aligned to measurable outcomes.
• Operational Discipline: Uses tools like ClickUp, 90.io, and Miro for project planning, task delegation, version control, and quality assurance.
• Client Gravitas & Communication: Demonstrates polished communication and facilitation skills, instilling confidence in both clients and team members.
• Digital Fluency: Leverages learning technology and creative tools (e.g., Articulate, Loom, Canva) to deliver scalable, modern learning solutions.
• Values-Based Leadership: Models integrity, empathy, and hospitality in all decision-making, maintaining high standards of professionalism and care.

Qualifications, Competencies & Experience Required

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Learning Design, Communications, or a related field.
• 5–8 years of experience in learning design, program development, or consulting / agency environments, including team leadership or project management responsibilities.
• Demonstrated portfolio of learning assets (e.g., e-learning, workshops, videos, toolkits, blended learning).
• Proven experience managing and coaching teams to deliver creative, high-quality learning outputs.
• Strong visual communication and storytelling skills, with a refined sense of brand and design.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; confident presenter and facilitator.
• Highly organized, process-driven, and detail-oriented, with strong time management and prioritization skills.
• Proficiency in PowerPoint / Keynote, Loom, Zoom / Teams, and project management tools (ClickUp, Miro, 90.io).
• Experience managing multiple projects in a fast-paced, client-facing environment.
• Understanding of hospitality or service-led industries is a strong advantage.

Employment Type

Full Time

Job Function

• Learning Design
• Program Development
• Client Partnership
• Project Delivery

Rewards & Compensation

• Competitive salary based on experience (Range of R30K - R40K)
• Accommodation, meals, and travel provided for international assignments
• Ability to work remotely after onboarding
• Career growth opportunities in a dynamic international business

How to apply

If you are a structured, execution-focused professional with a passion for Learning & Development, project management, and business process, and are eager to work with some of the world's leading hospitality brands, we encourage you to apply for this exciting role at McGillicuddy Hospitality.