Learning and Development Manager

The L&D Manager partners with the business and HR team (specifically Early Careers) members to deliver the firmwide learning strategy to support outstanding career development and retention so that strategic needs and goals are met. This will include identifying and addressing regional and local needs.

This role will work closely with line managers, Global Centres of Expertise teams, HR Business Partners and other functions and act as a trusted advisor to ensure that the learning agenda is reflected in all people decisions. It will work closely with colleagues across the wider HR team and external providers to deliver an exceptional career development experience for UK Trainees., The HR Centres of Expertise work directly with the business and with HR Business Partners to provide the right tools and frameworks to drive the people priorities through a regional based team.
The Talent team manages attraction, selection, onboarding, development, and retention through a combination of HR processes across the employee lifecycle.
The L&D function supports the firm's global vision through the delivery of best practice learning and development initiatives. The Early Careers team sits within the Talent function and are dedicated to the Talent activity in respect of UK Trainees (mostly pre-qualification as lawyers)
The team develops the business and interpersonal skills of fee earners and business services staff through the implementation of professional and personal development programmes covering a range of interpersonal and commercial skills.
Key responsibilities and deliverables

• Work closely the Head of Early Careers and Senior Manager, L&D UK on the following:

+ Providing input into the development of City Consortium Programme course materials, including core and technical skills. This includes working with chosen preferred suppliers.
+ Design and arrange for delivery of skills curriculum for UK trainees.
+ Support the design of the Legal Apprenticeship and Legal Skills Framework and ensuring alignment with the development curriculum.
+ Development of the Legal Apprentice Induction program and training for Supervisors.

• On a broader basis:

+ Partner with the business and HR Business Partners to understand legal practice development needs and ensure appropriate interventions are in place.
+ Understand existing talent challenges within region, including emerging capability gaps and skill requirements and how to provide support to resolve these.
+ Provide support for the delivery of flagship programs delivered in the UK.

• Ways of working:

+ Offers specialist consulting support to the wider team as an expert practitioner of Learning & Talent disciplines, such as facilitation, instructional design, team effectiveness, coaching, etc.
+ Develop and sustain close productive relationships with the business, HR community and external stakeholders
+ Works with L&D administration, part of our HR Operations team, who provide administrative support for local and regional training programmes
+ Manage the regional nomination process for global training programmes.
+ Working with external training providers to outsource training sessions, preparing detailed specifications, managing the vendor relationship and ensuring value and quality of service, where appropriate internal resources are not available.


• Proven experience as a Learning and Development professional with a specialisation in either instructional design or learning program management.


• Previous experience of working in a law firm, preferably within the UK trainee qualifications regime. Ideally also has experience of UK apprenticeships.


• Strong influencing skills combined with diplomacy and discretion


• Structured and organised approach, as well as delivery orientated


• Effective planning and project management capability


• Strong written and oral communication skills


• Positive, flexible, and enthusiastic approach


• Resilient and able to work under pressure and deliver on tight deadlines


• Excellent planning and project management capability.


• Bachelor's degree or equivalent


Desirable

• Experience of working with external suppliers


• Coaching qualifications
  
  The role is part of the global L&D team. The primary focus is to develop and implement L&D strategy for the UK region, whilst contributing to firmwide L&D projects. This includes planning for legal, technical skills, in addition to management and commercial skills.

Location Overview: London
Our London office is at the heart of our global network, in one of the most exciting world cities. London is arguably the world's greatest financial centre: all the world's leading financial institutions have a significant presence here. It is home to the headquarters of more than 100 of Europe's largest companies.
Our London team has a reputation that is second to none. They are the team the world's leading businesses turn to for help with their most challenging problems. They work with colleagues around the world on complex, cross-border deals, and disputes. Whether you join as a lawyer, a recent graduate or in a business services role, London is a great place to work.

You will have the opportunity to work on challenging, engaging work that will give you the opportunity to make your mark and progress your career. We believe there is no better place to work.
HR Function
The HR function partners with all areas of the business to deliver against our core strategic priorities of providing a culture we care about; outstanding career development; an inclusive working environment; and a rewarding deal for all. We promote a culture of continuous improvement and embrace innovative ways of working to ensure we keep pace and remain competitive within the rapidly evolving market we operate within., Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is a major international law firm, providing business law advice of the highest quality. We want to be the law firm that clients turn to for legal advice where it most matters, wherever in the world that may be. The Firm has over 2,400 lawyers in 28 offices around the world, providing a comprehensive service to national and multinational corporations, financial institutions, and governments.
Our people make our firm - we are a people business and want to create a welcoming and supportive environment where all can flourish. We see diversity as a strength which creates fresh perspectives and generates new ideas. We enjoy our work and are determined to do an outstanding job. We deliver best when working in teams. Our culture is a product of the combined mindsets and behaviours of our people which is through the Being Freshfields principles, outlined below:

• we show respect to everyone


• we are there for one another


• we are open with each other


• we are positive role models


We think and work globally - we do not just say we are one firm; we act like one firm right across the world. We work wherever our clients need us. This is how we define ourselves, not by reference to where we have offices. Cross-border work is not just what we do, it is what we excel at. We understand what it really takes to work across different legal systems and commercial environments and to bridge language and cultural gaps.
We aim to add value in everything we do - we are passionate about helping our clients succeed. We use our experience and creativity to help clients make judgements and achieve their goals. In everything we do, we seek to make a real difference to the communities in which we operate.
Freshfields is committed to promoting equality and diversity and to developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds make important and positive contributions to our business and how we service our clients.
Inclusion
Freshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applications received by the firm will be considered based on their merit alone and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background. All offers of employment will be conditional on the candidate having/securing the right to work in the UK and providing the firm with evidence of that right (as required by the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006) prior to employment commencing.
Freshfields is a Ban the Box employer. We ask applicants to disclose criminal convictions only when a conditional job offer is made. A conviction does not automatically lead to withdrawal of the offer: we make decisions on a case-by-case basis and take a number of factors into account (e.g. the role you are applying for and the circumstances of the offence). You would have the opportunity to discuss the matter with us before we make a decision.