Senior Learning & Development and Early Careers Consultant

About Us

At Oxfordshire County Council, we are proud to be a forward-thinking, values-led organisation committed to making a real difference to the lives of our residents. Our People and Culture Strategy is at the heart of our ambition to be an employer, partner, and place-shaper of choice. We are passionate about cultivating a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and inclusivity, where our people are empowered to grow, lead, and thrive.

As part of our HR & Cultural Change service, we are driving transformation through bold, evidence-based approaches that challenge conventional thinking. We believe in doing things differently—daring to innovate, embracing behavioural science, and co-creating solutions that shape the future of public service.

About the Role

We are seeking a dynamic and visionary Learning and Development Consultant to join our Learning, Development and Early Careers function. This is a key role within our centre of excellence, responsible for supporting a team of dedicated HR Consultants and delivering innovative, future-focused learning solutions that align with our strategic priorities.

You will play a crucial role in designing, delivering, and commissioning bespoke learning and development programmes that are agile, inclusive, and impactful. From face-to-face workshops to digital learning, coaching, and social collaboration, you will champion a culture of curious thinking and professional growth across the organisation.

This role is essential in building a strong talent pipeline, ensuring our workforce is equipped with the skills, knowledge, and behaviours needed to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. You will work closely with senior leaders, strategic partners, and stakeholders to embed a high-performance culture and drive organisational effectiveness.

Your portfolio will span strategic and operational delivery, with a horizon of up to two years. You will support key projects within the ‘GROW’ and ‘LEAD’ workstreams of our People and Culture Strategy, using data, insight, and technology to inform evidence-based decisions and deliver value for money.

About You

You are a seasoned HR professional with a passion for learning and development, and a proven track record of delivering strategic and operational solutions in complex, fast-paced environments. You bring:

- Deep expertise in designing and implementing innovative learning programmes across multiple platforms.

- A strong understanding of employment law, best practice, and emerging trends in learning, development, and early careers.

- Experience of managing and developing high-performing teams, with a commitment to inclusion, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

- The ability to influence and engage senior leaders, build trust with stakeholders, and navigate a highly unionised and political environment.

- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to distil complex information and present it in a compelling and accessible way.

- A strategic mindset, with the ability to horizon scan, evaluate risk, and shape people solutions that are agile, future-focused, and aligned to organisational goals.

You will be a role model for our values—always learning, being kind and caring, acting with equality and integrity, taking responsibility, and daring to do it differently.

Rewards and benefits

• Technology to support agile working where role permits
• Up to 33 day’s holiday p.a. plus bank holidays
• Option to ‘buy’ additional holiday
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support
• Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%
• Enhanced family friendly policies
• Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
• Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development.