Role Overview
The Learning Business Partner will play a pivotal role in driving the learning and development strategy within the organisation. This role involves collaborating with senior leaders and stakeholders to identify learning needs, design and implement effective learning solutions, and measure their impact on business performance. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in professional services, a commercial mindset, and a passion for fostering a culture of continuous learning.
The Learning Business Partner will be responsible for working with either the Audit and Accounts teams, or with the Tax teams. They will be the named point of contact for this part of the business. They will not be responsible for technical learning content but will ensure that learners in these parts of the business have access to high quality technical and non-technical learning to support their development.
They will have access to a Learning Administrator – a shared resource across the L&D team. Trainee Development is managed by the Early Careers team, and out of scope of this role.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Partnership: Collaborate with senior leaders to understand business goals and develop learning approaches that support achievement of organisational objectives. Work closely with the Head of Learning and Development to implement and successfully embed the Saffery Academy.
- Needs Assessment: Conduct thorough assessments to identify learning needs and gaps through consultation with learners and leaders, and through detailed analysis of learning data.
- Programme Design: Curate the “Core” pillar of the Saffery Academy for the relevant part of the business, ensuring all learners can access the technical and non-technical learning they need to thrive in their role. Develop and implement innovative learning programmes, including workshops, e-learning modules, and other resources. Keep relevant parts of the intranet up to date.
- Large Learning Events: Project manage the annual Audit/Tax conference. Ensuring the conference meets agreed KPIs and is delivered within budget. Input into planning and delivery of Trainee Development Programmes, including coordination of technical elements of these programmes, and identification of non-technical learning needs.
- Coaching: Working in collaboration with the Talent Management team, manage coaching requests in line with the firm’s coaching policy. Act as a trusted advisor, helping to identify the most appropriate coach, and guiding learners to other suitable resources as needed.
- Comms and Engagement: Build enthusiasm and participation in L&D activity through regular communication using a range of channels. Some travel to regional offices and to attend learning events is expected.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with CPD and other regulatory requirements. Where appropriate, actively monitor compliance with technical mandatory training requirements and escalate non-compliance to relevant leaders.
- Budget Management: Monitor and approve external training requests, ensuring all approved requests are commercially appropriate, and within agreed external training budget. Manage the technical training spend and ensure costs are allocated for maximum return on investment.
- Supplier Management: Maintain strong relationships with external training providers. Negotiate contracts with providers, in line with the firm’s procurement process ensuring the right commercial terms are in place.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships with key, senior stakeholders to ensure alignment and buy-in for learning initiatives.
- Performance Measurement: Establish metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of learning programs and their impact on business performance.
- Continuous Improvement: Stay abreast of industry trends and best practices to continuously enhance the learning strategy.
Qualifications
- Experience: Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in learning and development, with at least 5 years in a managerial role within a professional services environment – ideally in a business partnering role.
- Skills:
- Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Expertise in designing and implementing learning programs.
- Ability to analyse data and measure program effectiveness.
- Flexible and able to adapt to changing business needs.
- Creative thinker with a passion for continuous improvement.
- Team player with a collaborative approach to working with others.
About Us
Saffery LLP is an adviser to individuals and businesses across a range of sectors, providing market-leading accountancy, audit, business advisory, tax and VAT services. Founded in 1855, we are the UK’s 15th largest accountancy firm.
When you work with us at Saffery, you work with people who know your name, not just a job title. We’re a place shaped by friendly, intelligent people who are individually excellent and collectively exceptional. We’re committed to our clients, but also to our greatest asset – our people.
As a proud member of Nexia, a leading, international network of independent accounting and consulting firms, we’ve got access to local insight on a global scale.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Equality, diversity and inclusion is a top priority for us. With our ED&I strategy, Everyone Belongs, we are building on our positive work culture and implementing initiatives to improve diversity and strengthen our equitable culture of inclusion, led from the top.
We hope you will apply to us, whatever your background, ethnicity, gender, age, sexuality, disability or neurodivergence, because individual differences equal collective strength. Built on values of excellence, integrity, enthusiasm and collegiality, Saffery is where Potential meets Personal.
