- Position: U.S. Head of Learning Development
- Company: Retail Client
- Location: Boston, MA
- Partners with: P&C functional leads and Global People and Organizational Effectiveness Team
BSG has commenced an executive search for U.S. Head of Learning Development for our client, a retail company. This individual will be responsible for leading successful implementation and delivery of local and global leadership, learning, development and organizational effectiveness programs to exempt and non-exempt employees.
Opportunity Overview
U.S. Head of Learning Development
COMPANY BACKGROUND & CULTURE
Our retail client is in the value sector, and operates in over 300 stores with locations in almost a dozen countries, and employs over 75,000 people worldwide. They are a subsidiary of a diversified international food, ingredients, and retail group with global sales of almost £16bn and employ over 130,000 employees in 50 countries.
In the past two years, our client has opened over 30 stores and created over 8,500 new jobs. Expansion into the United States has established 10 new locations in the Northeast. Our client has eight distribution centers globally and one headquartered in the US. Our client has a strong presence in the social digital market and has created a phenomenon where customers can share looks with likeminded fashion forward shoppers.
Our client offers high fashion at discounted prices for customers ranging in age, whom have a passion of setting style trends in home goods, clothing, beauty and gifts. Our client’s buying offices search the world to source the latest fashions that mirror today’s fashion trends.
Our client offers a fast-paced and value driven environment and includes their employees, community and supplies as part of their success. For instance, our client:
- Provides employees equal opportunities based on merit;
- Treats suppliers fairly;
- Supports local communities; and
- Takes environmental responsibilities seriously.
POSITION OVERVIEW
Lead successful implementation and delivery of local and global leadership, learning, development and organizational effectiveness programs to exempt and non-exempt employees. Oversee and drive talent succession planning and organizational effectiveness strategy with key business partners to build future leaders for US market.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As country Talent, Learning, and Organizational Effectiveness subject matter expert:
- Advise retail leaders on talent, learning, leadership, and organizational effectiveness strategies, risks, resources and programs to improve or deliver business results
- Plan, organize and facilitate Emerging Leaders Program, engaging with Executive Stakeholders regarding delegates, content and program dates
- Update all learning and development collateral or resources to ensure compliance with our client’s policy as well as local, state or federal law
- Facilitate and lead our client’s annual performance management program, ensuring Retail leaders are updated on processes and tools to effectively deliver program completion
- Facilitate and advise retail leaders on performance rating calibration process to ensure effective and consistent administration of our client’s annual performance management program
- Develop P&C Manager and team’s functional knowledge of talent, learning, leadership and organizational effectiveness through variety of methods, including but not limited to P&C Manager Meetings, store visits, conference calls, and in-person learning
- Evaluate and modify existing or proposed learning programs; recommends, designs, implements, and evaluates suitable changes to business stakeholders and global talent and learning partners
- Facilitate delivery of Train the Trainer programs, ensuring our client’s facilitators have the skills and aptitude to transfer knowledge and deliver learning experiences to diverse audiences
- As Global partner support global People and Organizational Development function with learning and leadership program design and implementation
- Act as Digital Learning Platform Country Admin, creating and editing content/learning as necessary
As Business Partner:
- Facilitate and lead quarterly talent review sessions, ensuring all Talent documentation and action items are completed and updated for Country leadership
- Facilitate and lead Store Manager and Assistant Manager succession planning meetings with Area Manager, ensuring all documentation and action items are completed and updated for Country leadership
- Deliver period updates to stakeholders on training/induction status and trends regarding successes and opportunities, with action plan as necessary
- Partner with P&C functional leads (Head of ER, Head of Talent Acquisition, and Performance & Reward) to develop cross functional solutions to meet current and future business needs
- Partner with Global People and Organizational Effectiveness Team to develop cross functional solutions to meet current and future business needs; provide US insights, recommendations, and solutions as required
- Actively participate in global projects as US Talent, Learning and Leadership Development partner, providing perspectives, content, or deliverables as necessary
- Support and oversee US New Store Coaching/Bolster program, acting as key US P&C contact with global partners (Global Resourcing & Global Mobility) to ensure all required country processes are executed for successful deployment of resources during assignment; Ensure completion of end of assignment reviews and feedback provided to incumbents
- Working with Store Managers and P&C Managers to identify areas in which learning, leadership development, or performance improvement is required and/or beneficial within their stores; provide resources to support training
- Support the creation and delivery of development plans through training, coaching and feedback with all business stakeholders
As Leader:
- Build a team to include 2 Learning & Development Managers, 2 Learning & Development Specialists and 1 P&C Coordinator who will be responsible for talent, learning and leadership development processes and programs for management and/or hourly colleagues
- Develop and assess the Instructional Design, project management and business acumen of the L&D team, ensuring performance expectations align with leadership and function competency framework
- Successfully influence and coach business leaders on talent and learning strategy, leadership development and organizational effectiveness best practices to continuously develop future talent pipeline
- Demonstrate learning and leadership agility by capturing feedback and lessons learned to continuously improve talent, leadership, and organizational effectiveness strategies to meet evolving business needs
- Demonstrate ability to lead through ambiguity and change, aligning and influencing leaders to understand and drive organizational change in their organizations
- Develop and manage department budget, staying in line with annual spending and savings targets
Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience (Minimum Requirements)
- 10 years of experience as a Learning and Development Manager, Specialist or similar role
- Experience with learning management systems
- Strong facilitation skills; excellent written and oral communication skills
- Sound decision making and organizational skills
- Experience with a variety of training methods (ILT, Virtual, Digital)
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Flexibility to travel and regularly visit stores
- BA or BS degree
The ideal individual will also have:
Experience demonstrating resilience, humility and curiosity as well as our client’s Core Behavioral Competencies which include: Working with Others, Decision Making Skills, Self-Direction and Agility, Customer Experience, and Innovation
To Submit Resume:
