We’re a large and growing professional services firm that still feels like a community. We employ over 750 people across the UAE and experiencing exciting growth! We truly care about our colleagues, our clients, and the communities where we work and live.
The Learning & Development Leader is responsible for the overall design, development, implementation and monitoring of all learning and organisational development programs and initiatives across the firm. This role will play a critical role in enhancing employee skills, and knowledge to align with the firm’s strategic objectives and the theme of “Unlocking Our People at Their Best.” Discover your purple and join our People & Culture Team today!
Let us paint a picture for you
Imagine being part of a team that puts “we before me”, where flexibility is a mindset, and where you trust your colleagues to have your back.
Imagine working for an organization that believes in the power of authenticity in everything that we do. Whether you're steering discussions in a client meeting, tackling your fear of heights at the top of the Burj Khalifa or ziplining across Jebel Jais – bring your true self to work. Be a part of a team driven by a purpose of shaping the world that we live in, based on trust and integrity in markets, dynamic businesses, and communities where businesses and people thrive.
Join us to expand your horizons, be inspired, face challenges, and most importantly, be yourself.
About the People & Culture team
Grant Thornton UAE’s People & Culture team is dedicated to creating a vibrant, inclusive workplace where top talent thrives through dynamic recruitment, innovative engagement, and continuous development, driving success for our people and clients.
As the L&D Leader some of your responsibilities will include:
Strategic Leadership
- Develop, execute and continuously refine the firm's overall learning and development strategy, aligned with the firm's strategy, talent development priorities and industry best practices
- Translate the overarching L&D strategy into impactful short term and long-term plans and roadmaps
- Conduct comprehensive and data-driven training needs assessments to identify critical skills gaps and prioritise learning initiatives accordingly
- Collaborate with business leaders to understand their training needs and co-create customized business-aligned solutions
- Stay informed about emerging trends, innovations and new technologies in learning and development
Program Design and Development
- Design, develop, and deliver a wide range of learning programs, including:
- Leadership development and succession planning programs.
- Onboarding programs for new hires
- Technical and industry specific skills training (e.g., accounting standards, auditing techniques, data analytics, compliance and risk)
- Professional development courses / Behavioural / Soft-skills training (e.g., project management, communication, negotiation etc.)
- Utilize a variety of learning modes, including instructor led training, workshops, e-learning, blended learning approaches, mentoring, and coaching
- Develop and maintain an efficient learning management system (LMS) to track and manage learning initiatives
Lead organisational development initiatives, such as:
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) programs
- Employee wellbeing initiatives
- Upskilling programs to align with technological and digital transformation goals
Program implementation and Evaluation
- Oversee the delivery of all learning programs, ensuring high quality execution and alignment with strategic objectives
- Implement robust evaluation frameworks to measure the impact of learning programs on employee performance, business outcomes, and return on investment (ROI)
- Analyse program data to identify areas for improvement and make adjustments as needed
Team Management
- Lead, mentor and coach a team of learning and development professionals, fostering a high performance, growth-oriented culture
- Delegate responsibilities effectively, provide regular feedback and create opportunities for the professional growth of the team
- Cultivate an environment of creativity, collaboration and accountability within the L&D function
Budget and Vendor Management
- Manage the L&D budget effectively, ensuring optimal resource allocation
- Explore cost-effective learning solutions and negotiate with vendors
Think you've got what it takes to join our People & Culture team? Like the color purple? Great. Here's a few more boxes we're also hoping you can tick:
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Education, Business, or a related field
- Relevant certification or qualification eg. CIPD, SHRM or a related field advantageous
- Minimum of 8 years of professional experience within the field of Learning & Development with a minimum of 5 years experience spent in a leadership role
- Strong understanding of learning principles and instructional design methodologies
- Proficiency in using learning technologies, including LMS, e-learning platforms, and virtual training tools
- Excellent project management, organisational, and communication skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders across all levels of the organisation
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal)
- Prior consulting or professional services experience preferred
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment
- Consultative approach toward internal & external clients
- Highly motivated, confident and solutions-focused, with a developed capability to work autonomously
- Strategic thinker with an ability to collaborate and brainstorm with team members on best practices and fun, innovative learning solutions
- Proficient Microsoft Office skills
At Grant Thornton we’re focused on making a difference in the lives of our clients, our colleagues, and our communities. That’s our purpose. Or, as we like to say, our purple.
Are you ready to Discover Your Purple?
We are committed to electronically confirm with all applicants when an application has been received. If your application is shortlisted, then a member of our Talent Acquisition team will be in touch.
