Learning & Development Manager | Retail | Marks & Spencer Riyadh

Job Requisition ID: 160222 

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organization to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate. 

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration and integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day

Overview of the role 

The L&D Manager diagnoses learning needs, identifies appropriate solutions and develops strategic learning plans and frameworks to facilitate the achievement of business goals in partnership with our clients and internal stakeholders.

What you will do 

Training initiatives:

• Design, develops, implements & assesses training initiatives to ensure content is up to date and reflects best practice
• Ensures that content is up to date with group practices and processes in order to ensure alignment
• Researches and proposes blended training solutions 
• Assesses career pathways in line with development and recommends individuals identified with high potential 
• Drive Emiratisation development pathways and traineeships
• Engage when required with external consultants and specialists
• Deliver the core curriculum, training calendar and customised programs as scheduled
• Serve as a Learning and Development Trainer on key projects, cross functional teams and group rollouts    

Business solutions:

• Where required consult, recommend, design interventions and execute business solutions
• Ensures adherence to industry and government regulatory standards
• Identify and improve operational systems & processes
• Research and formally recommend best practice or international standards that drive AFTC vision
• Ensure delivery metrics are adhered to   

Consulting:

• Identify Learning and Development needs within the group for specific business units
• Manage internal & external customer expectations especially in regards to assessment practices & reporting
• Consult with businesses to provide solutions and options, measuring customer satisfaction
• Prepare proposals & quotations in line with business plan objectives (increase revenues, provide access, support performance, increase commercial outcomes)
• Work inclusively with HR Business Partners, business trainers, Line Managers and Executives to deliver to gain agreement, share workloads and meet expectations 

Communication:

• Communicate recommended solutions to the business in order to gain buy-in and approval
• Ensure all AFG businesses and key stakeholders are aware of the AFTC products & Services
• Utilise tools and resources that will discover training needs or assess capability standards 
• Maximise opportunities to communicate Group HR & AFTC achievements, initiatives and projects    

Reports:

• Maintain systems for collating and reporting on Development performance
• Manage & Analyse the Learning & Development performance 
• Collate and report AFTC performance metrics 
• Ensure key stakeholders in the business have up to date reports
• Providing Trainer delivery days and feedback data  

Projects:

• Manage projects to meet key objectives
• As required lead or partner AFTC, Group HR or business specific projects
• Ensuring project KPI's are met and exceeded    

Required skills to be successful 

Job-Specific Skills:
•    High level of analysis & problem solving
•    Consulting skills
•    Curriculum design
•    Assessment methodologies
•    Project Management skills
•    Analytical skills
•    Excellent ability to design and facilitate a variety of creative learning interventions which bring lasting value.
•    Deep knowledge of current training practices and methodologies.
•    Proven ability to deliver competently to senior /board level delegates.
•    Proactive thinking and problem solving skills.
•    Proven ability to run projects within time, cost and quality constraints.
•    Comprehensive knowledge and deep understanding of current leadership and management development techniques.
•    Experience in design across a whole range of programmes.
•    Experience in proposal design and client pitching.  
•    First class communication skills.
•    Ability to multitask. 
•    Ability to work under tight timelines.
•    First class relationship management skills.
•    IT skills- across major tools- Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Outlook.
•    Coaching/mentoring skills.
•    Commercial acumen and hunger for business success.
•    Behaviour in line with our values at all times.
•    Self starter and efficient time manager.

What equips you for the role

Education:
•    A bachelors degree and/or relevant Training certificates

Minimum Experience and Knowledge:  
•    Fluent written and spoken English
•    Curriculum design experience
•    Knowledge of Competency standards
•    A wide range of assessment design and delivery knowledge 
•    Program facilitation experience
•    A high level of computer literacy
•    Experience of blended learning
•    Business operations, project management and Customer Service experience would be a distinct advantage
•    Extensive Sales experience, Relationship Management experience, project management, Customer Service & Sales

About Al-Futtaim Retail

Al-Futtaim Retail has established itself as one of the leaders in Retail across the Middle East, Africa & Asia over the past 30 years. We have developed partnerships with some of the biggest and most respected Brands in the world including IKEA, ACE and Toys R Us in the Middle East and the Inditex Group of Brands (Zara, Mango, Bershka and P&B) across Asia. We are also one of the largest Global partners of Marks and Spencer’s in both regions with over 75 stores offering both fashion & food options.
 
Most recently we have been responsible for bringing brands to the Middle East for the first time with the exciting launches of Watsons and B&Q and we aim to continue to be agile and adaptive to our markets with new launches and further development. For this to be possible we aim to recruit the best talent from all backgrounds who will continue to challenge and develop our diverse workforce which includes over 100 nationalities across 12 countries. Join us today and make a difference…