ABOUT THE ROLE
The Partnership’s People function remains critical to unlocking the success of our Partnership Plan, powering our collective commercial success, developing our leadership and people manager capability, enhancing Partner experience and delivering on the commitments of our Partnership model, today and in the years ahead.
We’re seeking a strategic and influential Learning & Development Lead to join our People function.
This is a strategic business partnering role. You will work closely with the People Partnering team and business leaders to identify skills and capability needs, translating business goals and future vision into a compelling learning strategy.
You will be accountable for ensuring our Partners have the skills, knowledge, and capability to succeed and perform. You will champion the Partnership Academy and play a pivotal role in connecting all the SMEs across People Experience and specialist technical training teams within the retail brands and capability areas to ensure we provide the right solutions and outcomes, upholding the brand proposition of our Partnership Academy. As a member of the wider People Leadership team, you will drive the effectiveness of the People function and the delivery of annual People and Change plans.
Salary - £71,200 - £110,500
Contract type - This is a permanent position
Working pattern/flexible working - The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office and home based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business.
Key Responsibilities
* Responsible for creating a business learning and development strategy aligned to their business area goals and ambitions. It will be both current and future focused, prioritising strategic organisational development shifts and operational capability requirements. Will work in close Partnership with their People Partner and business leads, building their reputation as an SME in L&D.
* Will connect with their People Experience SME colleagues in Leadership & Talent, Academy, D&I, Culture Engagement, in addition to technical training teams in the business to drive and deliver against the learning plan. Will help prioritise learning demand and capacity based on business needs, alongside the People Partner.
* Is able to develop learning briefs, conduct learning needs analyses in the context of business objectives, stakeholder contribution and performance data. Is able to translate insights and requirements into tailored learning solutions that tackle skills gaps, with the objective of driving improved productivity, performance and contribution.
* Direct responsibility for leading the programme of work with Skills and Capability Consultants, in addition to getting involved in critical initiatives and programmes.
* Create conditions for all Partners to thrive, contribute fully, and achieve their potential. Enable conditions for Partner opinions to be heard and acted upon.
* Will work with the Head of L&D, L&D & Academy Leads to champion a learning culture by promoting continual development.
Essential skills/experience you’ll need
* Has worked in a L&D partnering capacity, with proven experience working with people partnering teams and business stakeholders. Can appreciate business goals and translate them into learning strategy and plans.
* Has experience in a multi site and complex organisation, where learning needs differ based on current/future needs and varied skills and capability requirements. Appreciates how to respond to organisational development needs versus learning needs.
* Has a passion for learning and strives to ensure everyone is able to thrive in their roles through developing others to perform at their highest potential.
* Demonstrable experience in delivering improved business outcomes through learning interventions.
* Proven experience and confidence in facilitation and coaching. Strong presenting and engagement skills.
Desirable skills/experience you may have
* Has experience in a multi site and complex organisation, where learning needs differ based on current/future needs and varied skills and capability requirements. Appreciates how to respond to organisational development needs versus learning needs.
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Closing Date:
March 29, 2026
Pay:
£70,500.00 - £110,500.00 Annual
Contract Type:
Permanent
Hours of Work:
35
Job Level:
Partnership Level 5
Where You'll Be Working:
London Central Office, 1 Drummond Gate, London,, SW1V 2QQ
ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP
We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.
We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.
As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect.
We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective.
As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.
Important points to note:
It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.
We also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants.
We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.