Learning and Development Specialist - Business & Leadership

Job title: Learning and Development Specialist - Business & Leadership

Location: London; Hybrid (2 days in the office)

Contract Type: Full-time; Permanent

Salary: C£48,000 plus civil service employer pension contribution of 28%. A higher base may be considered for exceptional candidates.

Close date: 16/03/2025

The National Audit Office (NAO) is an independent parliamentary body dedicated to scrutinising public spending and driving improvements in government efficiency and effectiveness. We audit government departments and public organisations, providing robust, evidence-based insights that ensure transparency, accountability, and value for money. Our work supports Parliament in holding the government to account while fostering innovation and best practice across the public sector. Through our audits and reports, we help shape services that have a real and lasting impact on citizens' lives.

Key elements of the role:

The NAO works in a complex and changing external environment. Public service delivery has become more complex and aims to be ever more digitally enabled, and public bodies are delivering services in new ways. In addition to the challenge of a changing government environment, we also operate in a highly regulated and evolving audit environment. The NAO needs our people to have the confidence to operate in this environment and the skills to enable us to deliver high quality audit services to our clients.

Reporting to the Head of Business & Leadership, you will be responsible for helping deliver the Learning and Development agenda in line with the NAO's overall business objectives and strategy. While this role involves all facets of L&D, the focus will be on delivering high-quality training sessions, both in-person and virtually, to a diverse group of staff across the organisation across a range of Business & leadership skills topics. You will champion continuous learning, ensuring programs align with organisational objectives and foster professional growth at all levels.

Responsibilities:

1. Programme management: Be responsible for our Experienced hire Induction programme along with other Business & Leadership programmes as they develop over time.
2. Learning Delivery: Facilitate a wide range of learning programmes, workshops, and training sessions in person and virtually, ensuring content is engaging, interactive, and relevant to participants' needs.
3. Programme Design: Support Senior L&D Specialists in the team to design and develop tailored training programmes, incorporating best practices and innovative methods.
4. Training Evaluation: Monitor and measure the effectiveness of learning interventions, gathering feedback to improve and adapt programs.
5. Learning Resources: Develop and maintain high-quality training materials, including slide decks, guides, and e-learning modules.
6. Stakeholder Engagement: Work closely with the Learning, Development and Talent Team, subject matter experts, and the People Leadership teams to identify training needs and align solutions with organisational goals.
7. Knowledge Sharing: Act as an advocate for lifelong learning and create a culture of development within the NAO by promoting available learning opportunities and encouraging participation.
8. Reinforce the desired culture and NAO 'brand' in all deliverables.

Relationships:

Reporting to: Head of Business & Leadership, Learning, Development and Talent

Internal/External relationships:

Key internal relations will include: Learning, Development and Talent Team, the rest of the People function and its leadership, Learners across the NAO, PDDs; Groups; FA Performance and Quality, FA Operations, Value for Money Performance and Quality; Analysis Hub; Internal Communications and other corporate service areas. Key external relations will include: suppliers (i.e. external training providers).

Key skills/competencies required:

Essential:

1. Proven experience in delivering both in-person and virtual innovative and engaging training sessions to varied audiences.
2. Knowledge of adult learning theories and current trends in L&D.
3. Strong facilitation skills with the ability to adapt content and style to suit different participant needs.
4. Proficiency with virtual learning platforms such as MS Teams, or similar, as well as Learning Management Systems (LMS).
5. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a collaborative approach to working with stakeholders.
6. Strong organisational and project management skills to manage multiple priorities.
7. Experience in the development and delivery of Business & Leadership skills capabilities.

Desired:

1. Professional qualifications or certifications in Learning and Development, such as CIPD Level 5 or similar.
2. Experience in the public sector or working within Professional Services or regulated industries.
3. Experience of managing procurement processes and supplier relationships.

Equal opportunities and diversity

Disability and Reasonable Adjustments: Applicants with a disability who wish their application to be considered under the Disability Confident scheme should confirm this when submitting their application. Under this scheme we guarantee an interview to an applicant with a disability who meets the minimum requirements for the role. You should also let our HR team know if you wish us to consider any Reasonable Adjustments at any stage of the process (HR Service Desk ( . Applicants will not be discriminated against on the grounds of any protected characteristic or any other extraneous factor. We are open to considering candidates who wish to fill posts on a part-time basis or as a job share. Part-time candidates should indicate their proposed availability, and any flexibility they would either want to have or be able to offer.

Interviews are expected to take place WC 24 March.