Job Title: People Development Manager
Location: Hybrid (with national travel)
Working Hours: Full-Time, 35 hours per week
Reports To: Head of People Development
Salary: Up to £50,000 DOE
About the role
Busy Bees are looking for an inspiring People Development Manager to lead the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of learning across the organisation. This role is pivotal in creating a learning offering that aligns with Busy Bees current and future aspirations.
You will oversee all face-to-face and virtual learning, including early years CPD, leadership development, first aid, and statutory training, while driving new initiatives and projects that support business needs. This hands-on leadership role combines strategic oversight with direct delivery of high-impact sessions, particularly for leaders, priority centres, and organisation-wide initiatives.
About Busy Bees
Founded in 1983, Busy Bees is the UK’s leading early years education provider and the third largest globally, with over 1000 centres worldwide. We are a values-driven, purpose-led organisation, committed to giving every child the best start in life.
Why you'll love working for us
* Sector-leading family leave, including enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay
* Smart Hive – our 24/7 employee benefits platform with retail, travel, and cinema discounts
* Childcare discount
* Your birthday off every year plus 33 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays
* Health and wellbeing support, including our Employee Assistance Programme, Peppy, and Mental Health apps
* Professional development through our in-house training academy and access to further qualification
Key Responsibilities
* Lead all people development delivery across the business.
* Partner with stakeholders to design and implement learning aligned to business priorities.
* Ensure programmes meet organisational, operational, and regulatory requirements.
* Act as a visible People Development ambassador, building strong internal and external partnerships.
* Oversee design and delivery of programmes across early years, leadership, first aid, statutory training, and business performance.
* Deliver high-impact and bespoke learning interventions where needed.
* Ensure content is engaging, evidence-based, inclusive, and aligned to standards.
* Develop CPD programmes incorporating best practice and external insight.
* Line manage and coach the Training Delivery Team to drive quality and impact.
* Support trainers with content, facilitation, and delivery challenges.
* Build a collaborative, high-performing culture focused on continuous improvement.
* Oversee quality assurance and evaluation of learning delivery.
* Work with Operations, Quality, and H&S to align learning with performance needs.
* Partner with centre leaders to identify needs and deliver targeted solutions.
* Support centre improvement through training, coaching, and capability building.
* Use data and feedback to shape learning priorities.
* Evaluate effectiveness and continuously improve delivery.
* Drive innovation through blended and digital learning approaches.
* Ensure learning remains current, compliant, and responsive to change.
Skills & Experience
Essential:
* Proven experience leading learning and development across multiple programmes or disciplines.
* Strong facilitation and delivery skills, engaging audiences at all levels.
* Experience designing and delivering leadership or management development.
* Line management and coaching experience.
* Excellent stakeholder management and collaboration skills.
* Ability to translate business needs into practical learning solutions.
Desirable:
* Experience in early years, education, care, or a regulated sector.
* Experience overseeing statutory, mandatory, or first aid training.
* Experience in a multi-site or national organisation.
* Understanding of blended and digital learning approaches.
* Coaching or facilitation qualification.
Apply now to join Busy Bees at an exciting time of growth and make a real impact on our people and future!