We are Cunningham. Founded in 2006, Cunningham is one of the UK's and Europe's leading construction companies. With extensive operations across multiple markets, we have built a strong reputation for innovation, quality, and safety, delivering successful projects through a proactive, collaborative approach.
Our expertise spans a diverse range of sectors, including Mission Critical & Life Sciences, Education, Healthcare, Fit Out, Residential, and Civils & Structural projects.
Today, Cunningham employs more than 280 professionals across offices in Ireland, Germany, and the UK. Working in partnership with our clients, we unlock the full potential of every project, transforming ambitious visions into successful outcomes while creating exciting opportunities for our people.
At Cunningham you will be given the opportunity to excel in your career. Our people set us apart, and that’s why we invest in your journey from day one. Your expertise, ambition, and commitment will be recognised and rewarded as you build a successful career with us.
The Learning & Talent Development Lead is responsible for designing, delivering, and evaluating the Company’s learning, development, and early careers strategies, programmes and plans. The role has a significant focus on early careers pathways, including apprentices, Higher Level Apprentices, placement students, and graduates, to ensure a strong and sustainable talent pipeline that supports long-term workforce planning and succession needs.
The postholder will lead initiatives that enhance employee capability, engagement, and retention, while ensuring full compliance with legal, regulatory, and accreditation requirements. They will provide monthly KPI reporting to Directors to demonstrate programme impact, progress, and risks.
Department: People Team
Reporting to: People & Culture Manager
Working Hours: Full time permanent position, 40 hours per week, Monday to Thursday 8/8.30am – 5/5.30pm and Fridays 8/8.30am to 2.30/3pm.
Role Responsibilities
Strategic Learning & Talent Development
- Lead the design and delivery of the Company’s Learning & Talent Development strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives and future workforce needs.
- Support the People & Culture Manager and Head of People in delivering the wider People strategy, taking ownership of projects relating to learning, development, and early careers.
- Conduct ongoing Training Needs Analysis across all departments to identify skills gaps and development priorities.
- Ensure all learning solutions, internal or external, are aligned to business needs and deliver measurable outcomes.
- Develop and maintain a comprehensive Training & Skills Matrix that reflects legislative requirements, industry standards, and evolving business needs.
- Partner with managers and industry bodies (e.g., Engineers Ireland, CIOB, RICS) to design structured learning pathways for technical and behavioural skills.
- Prepare and deliver a Skills for Growth application and manage training courses and compliance paperwork in relation to this project
Early Careers & Talent Pipeline Management
- Lead the end-to-end management of all early careers programmes, including apprenticeships, HLAs, placements, and graduate pathways.
- Build strong relationships with academic institutions to ensure high-quality, compliant, and future-focused programmes.
- Monitor student progress through regular meetings with apprentices, mentors, and academic partners and directors escalating concerns where necessary.
- Attend sectoral events, briefings, and forums to ensure the Company remains compliant and competitive in early careers provision.
- Develop and deliver initiatives that strengthen the Company’s succession planning and internal talent pipeline.
- Provide monthly KPI dashboards to Directors, highlighting progress, risks, and outcomes across all early careers cohorts.
Learning Delivery & Capability Building
- Coordinate and schedule training programmes that build practical skills and support career development
- Provide coaching and support to managers to enhance leadership capability and people-management skills.
- Maintain a Preferred Supplier List of training providers, ensuring value for money and quality assurance.
- Personal delivery of inhouse training programmes where appropriate. E.g., lunch & learns, skills workshops, people policy & procedure
- Ensure full compliance with mandatory training requirements, proactively managing expiring certifications and coordinating renewals.
Process Improvement & Digitalisation
- Identify opportunities to streamline learning and early careers processes through digitalisation and automation, including content creation where appropriate.
- Develop data-driven business cases to support improvements and investment in learning technologies.
- Produce accurate monthly and ad-hoc reports for Directors, using data to demonstrate impact, trends, and risks.
General HR & Team Responsibilities
- Support the wider People team with shared processes including induction, training, appraisals, and performance management.
- Act as a trusted member of the People team, maintaining confidentiality and professionalism at all times.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties required to support the delivery of people objectives and strategy.
Essential Knowledge, Skills & Experience Required
Experience & Knowledge
- Proven experience (at least 5 years) in a Learning & Development, Talent Development, or HR role with responsibility for designing and delivering development programmes
- Demonstrable experience managing early careers initiatives (e.g. apprenticeships, graduate schemes, placements, or work experience programmes)
- Experience of designing structured learning journeys and development frameworks
- Strong understanding of apprenticeship frameworks / training pathways (e.g. CITB, further education providers, or equivalent)
- Experience with Skills for Growth applications and funding procedure
- Experience working with external training providers, educational institutions, or awarding bodies
- Experience with ROI pathways as well as NI pathways
Skills & Competencies
- Ability to develop and implement talent development strategies aligned to business needs
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels (including operational/site leadership)
- Excellent communication and facilitation skills, including delivering training or workshops
- Ability to analyse data and measure programme effectiveness (e.g. retention, progression, completion rates)
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple programmes simultaneously
Behavioural / Leadership
- Passion for developing people and supporting early career talent
- Collaborative approach with the ability to build strong cross-functional relationships
- Proactive and solutions-focused mindset
- Ability to act as a coach and mentor to early careers employees and line managers
Qualifications
- CIPD Level 5 (or equivalent experience) in Learning & Development or HR
- Relevant degree or professional qualification (or equivalent experience)
Desirable Criteria:
Experience & Knowledge
- Experience within construction, engineering, manufacturing, or other operational environments
- Knowledge of CITB funding, apprenticeship levy, or training grants (NI & ROI)
- Experience designing and delivering graduate development programmes
- Experience supporting succession planning and workforce planning
Skills & Tools
- Experience using Learning Management Systems (LMS) or talent platforms
- Experience delivering leadership development or future leader programmes
- Familiarity with psychometrics / development tools (e.g. Insights Discovery, DiSC, etc.)
Broader Exposure
- Experience leading or contributing to employer branding / early careers attraction strategies
- Experience managing mentoring or coaching programmes
- Exposure to diversity & inclusion initiatives within early careers pipelines
Company Values
At Cunningham, our culture is built on four core values that guide how we work, lead, and collaborate. All employees are expected to demonstrate these values consistently in their day-to-day role.
- Trust
- Respect
- Can-Do
- Teamwork
Benefits
As part of the Cunningham team, you will be offered the following employee benefits in addition to your market leading salary:
Work-Life & Wellbeing
- 31 days Annual Leave
- Early finish on Fridays
- Life Assurance Policy
- Company Occupational Health
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Wellbeing Events
Development & Support
- Ongoing Training & Development
- Team Development Days
- Support for Chartership Pathways
- Bespoke Career Pathways
- Professional Membership Support
Company Culture & Perks
- State-of-the-art office facilities
- On-site Car Parking
- Branded clothing
- Social Events
Cunningham is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons.
