Job summary
The Interim Learning & Development Manager will lead the Learning & Development Team, providing a professional, colleague-focused learning and development service to HDFT, ensuring the organisation's workforce has the skills, capabilities, and knowledge to deliver high-quality patient care.
The role includes managing the Trust's Learning Management System (LMS) and ensuring it is utilised effectively to drive compliance and optimise learning across the organisation. The post holder will lead on the development, implementation, and evaluation of learning and development strategies and programmes aligned with the Trust's strategic goals.
This is an essential role in maintaining compliance with statutory and mandatory training requirements and supporting organisational development initiatives.
This role requires a presence at Harrogate District Hospital and cannot be conducted on a solely remote basis. Hybrid working is available on completion of a satisfactory induction period and in agreement with the Head of Education, Learning and Development.
Main duties of the job
Lead and manage the Learning & Development Team to deliver a high-quality, colleague-focused learning service across the Trust.
Oversee and optimise the Trust's Learning Management System (Totara), ensuring accurate data, effective functionality, and a positive learner experience.
Design, deliver and evaluate learning and development programmes that meet organisational needs and align with Trust strategy.
Monitor and report on statutory and mandatory training compliance, providing insight and support to directorates.
Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to develop and commission training and development opportunities.
Support organisational development initiatives, including leadership, quality improvement, and change management programmes.
Provide professional leadership to the Learning & Development Team, coaching and developing staff to deliver excellent outcomes.
Ensure learning activities meet governance, quality, and equality standards.
Deputise for the Head of Education, Learning and Development when required.
About us
At Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT), our purpose is clear, to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients children and communities. We are proud to deliver high-quality care across our hospitals and community services and equally proud of the people who make that possible. Our workforce is at the heart of everything we do, and we're committed to being the best place to work, where every colleague feels valued, supported and empowered to grow.
Guided by our People Plan and continuous improvement approach, HDFT Impact, we invest in developing our people and fostering a culture of collaboration, inclusion and compassion. Joining us means being part of a team that encourages innovation, values lifelong learning and celebrates success. Whether you're helping others to develop their potential, leading change, or shaping the future of education at HDFT, your work will make a lasting difference for our colleagues, our patients and our communities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. Learning Management System (LMS) Management
Lead the management, maintenance, and optimisation of the Trusts LMS (Totara), ensuring it is user-friendly, accessible, and fit for purpose. Manage, update and maintain the data interface between the Trusts LMS and ESR Oracle Learning Management (OLM). Collaborate with subject matter experts to identify educational and CPD opportunities and develop effective learning interventions to equip colleagues with the required skills and knowledge. Troubleshoot LMS issues and liaise with external providers to resolve technical problems and manage platform upgrades and migrations. Implement innovative digital solutions to enhance learning delivery and reporting capabilities. Provide training and guidance for LMS users, including administrators, trainers, Subject Matter Experts and learners. Support the Learning Technology Leads to create, upload, and maintain effective eLearning packages and other digital learning resources.
2. Learning and Development Strategy
Design, deliver, and evaluate learning and development interventions to meet organisational needs, including face-to-face, virtual, and digital learning. Work with key stakeholders to identify learning priorities and develop a training plan aligned with the Trusts strategic goals. Ensure all learning and development activities are evidence-based, high quality, and deliver measurable outcomes. Work collaboratively with other NHS Trusts, educational institutions, and external training providers to commission and deliver learning programmes. Lead the implementation of the Mandatory Learning Oversight Group to govern and review the efficacy of mandated learning at HDFT.
3. Compliance and Reporting
Use LMS reporting tools to provide accurate data on learning activity, compliance rates, and return on investment. Identify areas of compliance concern and support managers and teams to analyse training compliance and address areas of low compliance. Support the Mandatory Training Lead to monitor and report on compliance with statutory and mandatory training requirements, producing summary reports for senior leaders and external regulators as required.
4. Leadership and Management
Line manage and develop the Learning and Development Team, supporting them to deliver high-quality services. Provide leadership for subject matter experts delivering training across the Trust. Act as a Placement Manager and supervise NHS Graduate Management Trainee Scheme trainees when on placement with the Learning and Development Team. Deputise for the Head of Education, Learning and Development as required.
5. Governance and Quality Assurance
Ensure all learning programmes comply with relevant governance frameworks, including NHS standards and external accreditation requirements. Evaluate the effectiveness of learning interventions and implement improvements based on feedback and outcomes. Embed robust processes for assessing the knowledge, skills, and competencies of learners.
6. Organisational Development
Support organisational development initiatives, including leadership development, quality improvement and change management programmes. Promote a positive workplace culture aligned with the Trusts values through effective learning and development activities.
7. General Duties
Act as an ambassador for equality, diversity, and inclusion in all learning and development activities. Maintain professional development and knowledge of best practices in learning and development, including LMS advancements. Adhere to HDFT policies, including those on confidentiality, health and safety, and safeguarding.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. Learning Management System (LMS) Management
Lead the management, maintenance, and optimisation of the Trusts LMS (Totara), ensuring it is user-friendly, accessible, and fit for purpose. Manage, update and maintain the data interface between the Trusts LMS and ESR Oracle Learning Management (OLM). Collaborate with subject matter experts to identify educational and CPD opportunities and develop effective learning interventions to equip colleagues with the required skills and knowledge. Troubleshoot LMS issues and liaise with external providers to resolve technical problems and manage platform upgrades and migrations. Implement innovative digital solutions to enhance learning delivery and reporting capabilities. Provide training and guidance for LMS users, including administrators, trainers, Subject Matter Experts and learners. Support the Learning Technology Leads to create, upload, and maintain effective eLearning packages and other digital learning resources.
2. Learning and Development Strategy
Design, deliver, and evaluate learning and development interventions to meet organisational needs, including face-to-face, virtual, and digital learning. Work with key stakeholders to identify learning priorities and develop a training plan aligned with the Trusts strategic goals. Ensure all learning and development activities are evidence-based, high quality, and deliver measurable outcomes. Work collaboratively with other NHS Trusts, educational institutions, and external training providers to commission and deliver learning programmes. Lead the implementation of the Mandatory Learning Oversight Group to govern and review the efficacy of mandated learning at HDFT.
3. Compliance and Reporting
Use LMS reporting tools to provide accurate data on learning activity, compliance rates, and return on investment. Identify areas of compliance concern and support managers and teams to analyse training compliance and address areas of low compliance. Support the Mandatory Training Lead to monitor and report on compliance with statutory and mandatory training requirements, producing summary reports for senior leaders and external regulators as required.
4. Leadership and Management
Line manage and develop the Learning and Development Team, supporting them to deliver high-quality services. Provide leadership for subject matter experts delivering training across the Trust. Act as a Placement Manager and supervise NHS Graduate Management Trainee Scheme trainees when on placement with the Learning and Development Team. Deputise for the Head of Education, Learning and Development as required.
5. Governance and Quality Assurance
Ensure all learning programmes comply with relevant governance frameworks, including NHS standards and external accreditation requirements. Evaluate the effectiveness of learning interventions and implement improvements based on feedback and outcomes. Embed robust processes for assessing the knowledge, skills, and competencies of learners.
6. Organisational Development
Support organisational development initiatives, including leadership development, quality improvement and change management programmes. Promote a positive workplace culture aligned with the Trusts values through effective learning and development activities.
7. General Duties
Act as an ambassador for equality, diversity, and inclusion in all learning and development activities. Maintain professional development and knowledge of best practices in learning and development, including LMS advancements. Adhere to HDFT policies, including those on confidentiality, health and safety, and safeguarding.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- oDegree or equivalent experience
- oProfessional qualification in a relevant field e.g. CIPD, CertEd, PGCE, etc.
- oEvidence of CPD to Masters level
Desirable
- oCoaching or mentoring qualification
- oProject management qualification
Experience
Essential
- oSubstantial experience of working in education, learning and development at a senior level, in a complex environment.
- oSubstantial experience of design, delivery and evaluation of training for multi-professional groups across a wide range of subjects
- oExperience of managing a Learning Management System
- oExperience of supporting change agendas and delivering a flexible and responsive service
- oWorking with internal and external stakeholders to determine learning needs, design interventions, and deliver education
- oExperience in competency-based learning and designing assessments of learning
- oWorking independently and managing own workload
- oChairing working/project groups
- oExperience of leading teams
Desirable
- oExperience of working in an education, learning and/or development function at a senior level in the NHS
- oDeveloping and monitoring service level agreements (SLAs) with internal and external providers
- oBusiness planning experience
- oDesigning of development activities and facilitation of bespoke learning with multi-professional teams
- oExperience of project management
- oExperience of technical testing of online platforms/systems
- oExperience of ESR and Oracle Learning Management (OLM)
Knowledge
Essential
- oUp to date knowledge of learning and development techniques and best practice methodology
- oBroad understanding of the L&D development agenda within the NHS
- oUnderstanding of appraisal processes and assessment of individuals' knowledge and skills
Desirable
- oAn understanding of change management theory
- oAn understanding of digital transformation theory
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- oDegree or equivalent experience
- oProfessional qualification in a relevant field e.g. CIPD, CertEd, PGCE, etc.
- oEvidence of CPD to Masters level
Desirable
- oCoaching or mentoring qualification
- oProject management qualification
Experience
Essential
- oSubstantial experience of working in education, learning and development at a senior level, in a complex environment.
- oSubstantial experience of design, delivery and evaluation of training for multi-professional groups across a wide range of subjects
- oExperience of managing a Learning Management System
- oExperience of supporting change agendas and delivering a flexible and responsive service
- oWorking with internal and external stakeholders to determine learning needs, design interventions, and deliver education
- oExperience in competency-based learning and designing assessments of learning
- oWorking independently and managing own workload
- oChairing working/project groups
- oExperience of leading teams
Desirable
- oExperience of working in an education, learning and/or development function at a senior level in the NHS
- oDeveloping and monitoring service level agreements (SLAs) with internal and external providers
- oBusiness planning experience
- oDesigning of development activities and facilitation of bespoke learning with multi-professional teams
- oExperience of project management
- oExperience of technical testing of online platforms/systems
- oExperience of ESR and Oracle Learning Management (OLM)
Knowledge
Essential
- oUp to date knowledge of learning and development techniques and best practice methodology
- oBroad understanding of the L&D development agenda within the NHS
- oUnderstanding of appraisal processes and assessment of individuals' knowledge and skills
Desirable
- oAn understanding of change management theory
- oAn understanding of digital transformation theory
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
