Director of talent development

London 📍 | hybrid 3 days a week | competitive salary + 30% bonus |

at wagamama, food is life 🥢 and we’re here to make every bite count. with over 165 restaurants across the UK (and growing fast) we’ve been dishing up vibrant, fresh asian inspired flavours since ‘92. it’s all about good food, good vibes, and good company 🍜🔥


were looking for a director of talent development to join us on our journey 🌱 ready to dive in and stir things up?


what we need |

as our director of talent development, you’ll be the visionary behind how we grow, stretch and inspire our people across wagamama. you’ll lead the creation of a bold, inclusive talent development strategy that fuels our culture, builds future capability and ensures every team member from noodle hq to our restaurants, has the opportunity to grow in life + work

you’ll set the direction for learning experiences that are as energising and authentic as our restaurants blending leadership development, career pathways, and performance enablement into a seamless journey of growth. you’ll shape the frameworks that define what great looks like and build the tools that help our people get there

whether it’s unlocking potential through coaching, embedding a culture of feedback, or future-proofing our leadership pipeline, you’ll make sure wagamama is a place where people don’t just do a job they build a career, feel they belong, and grow in work + in life


what you’ll do |

* talent development | translate the overall business strategy into a comprehensive long term talent strategy that addresses workforce needs and capabilities across wagamama
* succession & workforce readiness | design and embed a robust, insight-led succession planning and talent mapping framework that ensures we’re always fully resourced and ready for the future
* leadership evolution | define what great leadership looks like at wagamama and ensure our leadership development offer builds the mindset, behaviours and skills we need to thrive
* career architecture & progression | shape a clear, inclusive career framework that supports internal mobility, progression and retention across all levels and functions.
* organisational capability | partner with people, ops and strategy teams to identify future capability needs and ensure our development offer is aligned to business transformation and growth
* learning culture & innovation | champion a culture of continuous learning, curiosity and self-led growth. bring fresh thinking and innovation to how we design and deliver learning experiences
* performance & potential | evolve our approach to performance and potential, embedding a strengths-based, feedback-rich culture that supports high performance and personal growth.
* early careers & future talent | oversee our early careers strategy, ensuring we attract, develop and retain the next generation of wagamama talent.
* impact & measurement | Collaborates with the head of people business partnering to roll out talent programs consistently across wagamama
* team leadership | lead, coach and inspire a capable team of specialists, creating clarity, stretch and support while empowering them to deliver brilliant work.
* stakeholder management | partner with senior leaders, the people leadership team, and department heads to ensure talent development aligns with business needs and goals


what you’ll need |

* proven experience leading enterprise-wide a talent development strategy
* strong understanding of succession planning, workforce planning + organisational design
* inclusive mindset with a passion for equity in development
* confident communicator and influencer at exec level
* data-savvy with the ability to measure impact and shape strategy through insight
* inspiring leader who empowers others and builds high-performing teams
* experience in fast-paced, multi-site or hospitality environments preferred
* curious, creative and always looking for better
* a talented and collaborative leader, adept at engaging, motivating, and developing teams across the business


who you’ll be working with |

* CPO
* Exec team
* People + culture director
* RDs, functional heads +directors
* Head of people BP


what’s in it for you |

* competitive salary + 30% bonus potential + car allowance
* hybrid working
* come as you are culture, with modern offices, fresh fruit and soft drinks
* £200 monthly wagamama food allowance — enjoy all your favourite dishes on us!
* private healthcare
* 3% pension contribution
* 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
* + further discounts across retail, hospitality & leisure — perks that make life sweeter
* Supporting you every step of the way! family-friendly pay: 26 weeks full pay + 13 weeks half pay for expectant or adopting parents


nothing brings people together like great food. no matter where you’re from or who you are, you’ve got a seat at our table | because food is the ultimate connector, and here everyone belongs