We are looking for an experienced and forward-thinking Learning & Development Manager to build and lead learning across our organisation.
This is a rare opportunity to join and grow our L&D function within a unique, fast-paced visitor attraction environment. Working across guest experience, animal care, operations and leadership teams, you will shape how our people learn, grow and develop at every stage of their career.
This is not a purely strategic role - nor is it solely operational delivery. We are looking for someone who enjoys both designing learning solutions and rolling up their sleeves to deliver them. You will personally facilitate training, develop learning content and programmes, while also building capability across the organisation by coaching and upskilling managers and subject matter experts to deliver high-quality learning themselves.
You will help create a culture where learning is practical, engaging, accessible and genuinely improves both employee experience and guest experience.
What You’ll Be Doing
You will:
- Build and implement the organisation’s structured learning and development approach
- Design learning pathways and development programmes across guest experience, animal care, operational and support teams. Ensure clear and consistent processes are in place to assess, validate and formally sign off competence across roles.
- Develop and improve induction and onboarding experiences for new starters, including seasonal employees
- Deliver engaging training sessions and workshops across all levels of the organisation
- Create leadership and management development programmes that build confidence and capability in managers
- Support the development of early careers initiatives including apprenticeships, placements and entry-level development pathways
- Work alongside operational leaders to embed exceptional guest experience standards through learning
- Coach and support managers and internal experts to confidently deliver training and on-the-job learning
- Introduce modern, flexible approaches to learning including bite-sized, digital, blended and experiential methods
- Manage learning systems, training records, reporting and evaluation
- Stay connected to external trends, future workforce developments and best practice in learning and development
About You
We are looking for someone who is equally comfortable delivering a training session as they are designing a learning pathway.
You will likely bring:
- Experience in learning and development, organisational development or people development roles
- The ability to create practical, accessible learning for diverse workforces
- A hands-on, collaborative approach with the ability to work at both strategic and operational levels
- Experience designing and delivering training programmes
- Strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills
- Experience supporting management and leadership capability
- A passion for helping people grow and succeed
Experience within hospitality, leisure, tourism, retail, visitor attractions or similar operational environments would be beneficial.
This role is ideally a full time role, however we will consider 4 days per week. This role is mainly based on site at Longleat, with some travel to Cheddar Gorge & Caves and the ability to work from home from time to time.
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to shape learning in an organisation where people, guest experience and operational excellence genuinely matter.
You will have the chance to:
- Work in a varied, people-focused environment
- Build a function with visible impact across the organisation
- Influence culture, capability and future workforce development
- Help develop careers and opportunities for employees at every level
If you are excited by the opportunity to build, shape and deliver learning in a growing and evolving organisation, we would love to hear from you.
At Longleat we offer a day out like no other, our guests are invited to step into the Thynn family home where they will find the finest example of Elizabethan Architecture. They are also immersed into the wild side, where they can visit over 120 species of animals by car, foot, train, bus, and boat.
With a core business welcoming around 1 million guests every year, we are passionate about providing unforgettable experiences that bring family and friends together to create memories that will last a lifetime.
Why join the Longleat team?
In this unique work environment, you will be surrounded by historic landscapes and listed buildings, all whilst listening to our lions roar and wolves howl. You will even have the opportunity to visit our adorable Koalas and cheeky meerkats during your lunch break.
You will receive attractive benefits that include:
- 29 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays, rising to 31 days at 5 years’ service.
- Unlimited free entry to Longleat for our employees
- Complimentary tickets to Longleat and Cheddar Gorge and Caves, 18 per annum pro rata
- 50% off Membership for Friends and Family
- Discounts on food and beverages and retail merchandise
- Discounts on VIP Experiences and Accommodation
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Employer contributory pension scheme
- Life assurance scheme
- Perks at work
- Range of flexible working schemes
