Academy Learning & Development Manager
* Ascot Racecourse, Ascot High Street, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7JX
* c£47,000pa + Bonus and excellent benefits
* 40hrs pw Monday – Friday, flexibility essential for Events and Racedays
* Raceday Tickets
Job Introduction
At Sodexo Live!, we create extraordinary moments at some of the world’s most prestigious venues and few are more iconic than Ascot Racecourse.
We are now seeking an ambitious and innovative Academy Learning & Development Manager to lead the next evolution of the Ascot Academy, our flagship learning and capability programme supporting both permanent and casual teams across this world‑class hospitality environment.
This is a unique opportunity to build and shape a market‑leading academy that drives service excellence, develops future talent, and directly impacts guest experience and commercial performance at one of the UK’s most celebrated sporting and events venues.
What You'll Do
* Lead the continued development and delivery of the Ascot Academy, creating engaging and innovative learning experiences across all hospitality functions
* Design and implement structured training programmes for both permanent and casual teams, ensuring consistent service excellence across the venue
* Develop impactful blended learning content using modern digital learning platforms, including e‑learning and facilitator‑led sessions
* Partner closely with Operations, HR, Culinary and staffing teams to align training initiatives with business goals and guest experience expectations
* Drive engagement, participation and completion rates across all academy learning programmes and development pathways
* Support operational delivery during racedays and events through observations, coaching, briefings and service feedback
* Analyse guest feedback, service trends and operational performance data to continuously improve training effectiveness and standards
* Build a strong culture of learning, capability and internal progression while ensuring all training supports compliance, operational consistency and commercial performance
What You Bring
Essential
* Proven experience designing and delivering large‑scale learning or academy programmes
* Background within hospitality, events, retail or another high‑volume service environment
* Experience creating engaging training content and facilitating learning programmes
* Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
* Commercial awareness with the ability to measure training impact and ROI
* A proactive, hands‑on approach and the ability to thrive in fast‑paced environment
Desirable
* Experience building or leading an academy or structured training function
* Experience working with large casual or seasonal workforces
* Knowledge of premium guest experience strategy
* Familiarity with blended and modern learning methodologies
What we offer
* Unlimited access to an online platform offering mental health and wellbeing support.
* Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or larger problems where you may need additional support, including legal and financial advice, support with work related issues or personal issues such as bereavement.
* Access to a free health and wellbeing app that provides rewards for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and includes access to a 24hr virtual GP and various other services.
* The Sodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7 (also open to friends and family) and/or the prepayment cashback card.
* Money Insights and financial benefits via the Salary Finance Platform.
* Save for your future by becoming a member of the Sodexo Retirement Plan
* A Death‑in‑Service benefit for colleagues who pass away whilst employed by Sodexo
* Opportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo, including a variety of learning and development tools.
* Cycle to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fit.
* Volunteering Opportunities to enable all colleagues to help support worthwhile causes in our communities.
* Flexible and dynamic work environment
Inclusive Employment
We are committed to being an inclusive employer. We are a forces friendly employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds, and identities. We encourage our employees to get involved with our Employee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Parents & Carers, Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins.
We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations.
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