Group Head of Learning & Development

Department

Learning & Development

Reporting to

Executive Director

Location

UK Wide – Hybrid with Regular National Travel

Organisation

Optimo Care Group is a specialist provider of high-quality care and support services across the UK, supporting individuals with moderate to complex needs to live fulfilling and independent lives. We are committed to delivering person-centred care through a compassionate, highly skilled workforce while maintaining the highest standards of quality, compliance and safety.

As a growing organisation, we offer excellent opportunities for career progression, continuous learning through our Optimo Learning Academy and a supportive environment where colleagues can thrive and make a meaningful difference every day.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and innovative Group Head of Learning & Development to lead the delivery and continuous improvement of our Learning & Development strategy across the Group.

This senior leadership role is responsible for creating engaging and commercially balanced learning experiences that support workforce capability, leadership development, compliance, retention and career progression within a regulated environment.

Working closely with senior leaders, operational teams and Heads of Department, you will identify organisational learning needs and deliver practical, creative and impactful development solutions. The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on operational delivery and requires regular travel across services with a visible operational presence.

You will lead a geographically dispersed Learning & Development team, oversee the organisation’s digital learning environment and ensure learning provision remains accessible, relevant and aligned to operational priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the operational delivery and continuous improvement of the Group Learning & Development strategy
• Develop leadership, career progression and workforce capability programmes
• Identify capability gaps, succession planning opportunities and learning priorities with operational leaders
• Lead multiple learning, change and transformation programmes
• Oversee onboarding, induction and compliance learning frameworks
• Manage and optimise the Learning Management System (LMS), including reporting and learner experience
• Oversee the creation and improvement of eLearning and blended learning content
• Drive learner engagement through innovative and accessible learning approaches
• Lead, coach and develop a geographically dispersed Learning & Development team
• Manage Learning & Development budgets and external providers
• Ensure learning activity supports regulatory and compliance requirements
• Use learner feedback and operational insight to improve learning quality and effectiveness

About You

You will be an experienced Learning & Development leader with a strong background in regulated sectors such as health, social care, healthcare, education or similar environments.

You will have experience leading Learning & Development across multi-site or geographically dispersed organisations and be confident building relationships with senior stakeholders. You will be collaborative, commercially aware and able to balance learner experience, compliance and operational priorities.

You will also bring strong digital learning capability, including experience creating, commissioning or overseeing digital learning content using tools such as Articulate Rise, Canva or similar platforms.

Essential Experience

• Significant experience in a senior Learning & Development leadership role within a regulated environment
• Experience leading Learning & Development across multi-site or geographically dispersed organisations
• Experience managing organisational change, workforce capability or transformation programmes
• Experience managing Learning Management Systems (LMS)
• Experience overseeing eLearning and blended learning provision
• Experience managing Learning & Development or departmental budgets
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
• Professional qualification or equivalent experience in Learning & Development, Leadership or Management

Desirable

• Experience within health and social care settings
• Experience in coaching, facilitation or digital learning design
• Experience managing apprenticeship levy programmes or funded learning opportunities
• Experience working with external learning providers

Skills

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Strong leadership and project management capability
• Ability to translate organisational needs into engaging learning solutions
• Commercially aware and operationally focused decision-making
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills
• Digitally confident with experience using Articulate Rise, Canva or similar tools

Why Join Optimo Care Group?

• Fixed working pattern – 40 hours across 5 days
• Access to the Optimo Learning Academy
• Career progression opportunities within a growing organisation
• Supportive and collaborative team environment
• Employee Assistance Programme via Health Assured
• Reward Gateway discounts and recognition benefits
• £500 Refer a Friend Scheme
• Paid Birthday Leave

Additional Information

• Regular UK travel is required
• Hybrid working arrangement
• Enhanced DBS check may be required
• Full UK driving licence is desirable

Killer Questions

• Do you have Learning & Development leadership experience within a regulated environment (for example health, social care, healthcare, education or similar)?
• Have you led Learning & Development across multiple sites, regions or geographically dispersed teams?
• This role requires regular travel across services and a visible presence within operational teams. Are you able to meet this requirement?
• Have you held direct responsibility for managing an L&D or departmental budget?
• Do you have experience creating, commissioning or overseeing digital learning content using platforms such as Articulate, Canva or similar tools?

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