L&D Specialist

Learning & Development Specialist

Location: UK-wide (with travel to Mears sites and offsite locations)

Contract: Full-time / Permanent

Salary: £38,000 plus £4,000 car allowance

Are you passionate about creating impactful learning experiences and driving a culture of continuous development? Join Mears as a Learning & Development Specialist and help shape the future of our people.

When applying please attach a CV and a Cover Letter explaining your experiences and why you think you would be suitable for this role.

Applications will NOT be considered if either document is missing!

About the role:

Working under the direction of the Learning & Development Lead, you’ll develop high-quality learning interventions that support Mears’ organisational objectives, and advance the knowledge and skills of our national workforce. Collaborating with business leaders, HR Business Partners, and subject matter experts, you’ll play a key role in embedding a culture of growth and continuous learning across the organisation.

Role Criteria:

• Co-design and develop engaging, tailored development programmes with colleagues across Quality Design and Learning Partnerships, ensuring alignment to organisational priorities and capability needs.

• Design and curate engaging learning content and resources across leadership, personal development, compliance, and core business skills—incorporating evidence-based methodology and best-practice instructional design.

• Lead the design and facilitation of interactive workshops, blended programmes, and innovative learning interventions (virtually and in-person) that address identified skill gaps and performance challenges.

• Develop multi-format learning solutions, including face-to-face, virtual, digital, and blended learning pathways, supported by clear learner journeys and structured content plans.

• Support key people and capability initiatives, such as performance management, talent development, succession planning, and career progression, by providing L&D insight, recommendations, and design expertise.

• Build strong, consultative relationships with stakeholders across the business to understand needs, diagnose capability requirements, recommend solutions, and drive engagement with learning initiatives.

• Provide targeted coaching and structured support through facilitated induction programmes and development conversations for managers and new employees.

• Manage and optimise learning administration processes using Workday Learning, including programme setup, enrolments, logistics, reporting, and maintaining accurate learner records.

• Evaluate learning effectiveness using feedback, data insights, performance metrics, and stakeholder input to inform continuous improvement and future decision-making.

• Champion a culture of learning across the organisation, and ensure learning solutions are accessible, inclusive, and meet industry standards for quality.

Key Criteria:

• Good standard of education (including English and Maths).

• Recognised L&D or training qualification (e.g. PCGE, AET L3, DTLLS, CIPD).

• Proven experience in learning and development, training delivery, or facilitation.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, adaptable to diverse audiences.

• Confident with digital tools and learning platforms (Workday Learning experience a plus).

• Ability to translate business needs into effective learning solutions.

• Skilled facilitator and coach, committed to inclusive and accessible learning.

• Knowledge of social housing or facilities management sectors is desirable.

• Flexible, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities.

• Experience across compliance, leadership, and skills development.

• Experience in both operational and corporate environments.

• Full Driving License and access to own vehicle

We are looking for someone who brings both expertise and passion for learning!

Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

• Generous Pension Scheme

• Cycle to work scheme

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Annual Mears Fun Day - Our annual Fun Day is organised as a massive thank you from the Executive team for all the hard work!

• Staff perks with Mears Rewards - discounts of up to 10% on coffee, weekly groceries, holidays, Share save scheme and eye test vouchers plus much more.

• Family Friendly policies

• Volunteering Leave - Mears supports employees to undertake volunteering in the community, in support of our social value commitment.

All our roles require candidates to have the entitlement to work within the UK, Mears does not currently offer visa sponsorship.

To drive a Mears vehicle, you must be aged over 21 have held your licence over 3 months and have less than 9 points.

Candidates should be aware that all our roles are subject to relevant Background, Identity & Security checks before commencement of employment.

Apply below or to discuss your application further; contact:

If you need any help with your application process, we are here to support you. We will be accessible every step of the way.

At Mears Group, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, we are a Disability Confident employer, valuing individuality and ensuring equal opportunities for all.

We proudly support the Armed Forces Covenant and are honoured to have achieved the Gold Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) to coincide with this, we hold an Endorser Award for the Career Transition Partnership, recognising our commitment to veterans transitioning into civilian careers.

In our continued effort to promote social mobility, we invite applicants to voluntarily share their background information during the application stages to help us better understand the diverse experiences of our candidates. This is to ensure we are committed to improving social mobility. We use the Social Mobility Index to assess and enhance opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds. These questions are optional and will not impact your ability to apply.