Learning & Development Senior Manger

Alternatively, Grant Thornton

At Grant Thornton we do things differently - looking to the future, driving ambitious growth and pioneering positive change in our industry. Providing audit, tax and advisory services, we empower clients through strategic insight, curiosity, and genuine partnership. And we empower our people with real opportunity, an inclusive culture and work life balance. A true alternative.

With over 5,000 people in the UK, and a presence in 150 global markets, we're on an ambitious journey, from great to exceptional, and we need the best people to help us achieve our potential. And with that comes the opportunity to help redefine what our industry looks like, and what you want from your career.

Job Description:

NEW GROUND WON’T BREAK ITSELF.

Every day our teams help people in businesses and communities to do what is right and achieve their goals.

We are a leading UK accountancy and advisory firm, committed to building the firm where the best people choose to work. Our people are our greatest asset and investing in how they grow, develop and lead is central to our strategy.

This is a newly created role, designed to shape and scale a world-class Learning & Development function that helps our people, from graduate to partner, develop the skills, mindset and commercial acumen to thrive.

As Senior Manager, Learning & Development, you will design, build and deliver scalable learning programmes that sit at the heart of our people strategy. You will be the driving force behind programmes that develop commercial awareness, build business development capability and support our people as they step up into more senior roles.

Belief and mindset development sits at the centre of everything we do in L&D, and you will champion a culture where our people believe in themselves, in each other and in the firm.

We’re happy to talk flexible working and consider reduced hours and job shares, we’ll support you to balance your work and life.

A look into the role

As a Learning and Development Senior Manager within our team practice, you will:

• Design and deliver scalable L&D programmes across the firm, from junior to partner level
• Experience in leading and managing a team
• Lead the development of a flagship Business Development training programme, equipping people at every grade with the skills to win work, build relationships and grow revenue
• Build and own a Career Stepping Up programme, structured pathways that support people transitioning into Manager, Senior Manager, Director and Partner roles
• Develop a Commercial Awareness curriculum that helps our people understand how the firm makes money, how to add value to clients and how to think like a business owner
• Ensure all programmes are scalable, built to be delivered consistently across service lines, geographies and grade levels without requiring bespoke delivery each time
• Partner with Service Line leaders, HR Business Partners and the CPO to identify capability gaps and build solutions that are commercially grounded
• Manage external learning providers and facilitators, ensuring quality and value for money
• Build strong relationships with Partners and senior leaders to ensure L&D is seen as a business-critical function, not a support service
• Define clear success metrics for all programmes, from completion rates to behavioural change and commercial impact
• Use data and feedback to continuously improve programme design and delivery
• Report regularly to the People Director and business on L&D effectiveness and ROI

Knowing you’re right for us

Joining us as a Learning and Development Senior Manager, the minimum criteria you’ll need is significant experience designing and delivering scalable L&D programmes within a professional services, accountancy, or financial services environment. You will have a strong understanding of business development and commercial skills development in a client facing context, alongside experience creating career progression or stepping up programmes for senior professional populations. You will also demonstrate excellent facilitation and communication skills, be confident presenting to large audiences, and have strong project management capability.

It would be great if you had some of the following skills, but don’t worry if you don’t tick every box, we’ll help you develop along the way.

• Experience working in or with an accountancy, legal or consulting firm
• Coaching qualification (ILM, ICF or equivalent)
• Experience integrating digital learning tools and AI-enabled development platforms
• Familiarity with psychometric or behavioural assessment tools (e.g. Korn Ferry, Hogan)

Knowing we’re right for you

Embracing uniqueness, the culture at Grant Thornton thrives on the contributions of all our people, we never settle for what is easy, we look beyond to deliver the right thing, for everyone.  Building an inclusive culture, where we value difference and respect our colleagues helps our people to perform at the best of their ability and realise their potential.

Our open and accessible culture means you’ll interact with leaders who are interested in you and everything you bring to our firm. The things that set you apart, we value them. That’s why we give you the freedom to bring your whole self to work and pursue your passions inside and outside of work.

Beyond the job 

Life is more than work. The things you do, and the people you’re with outside of work matter, that’s why we’re happy to look at flexible working options for all our roles, and we’ll always do our best to keep your work and life in balance.

The impact you can make here will go far beyond your day job. From secondments, to fundraising for local charities, or investing in entrepreneurs in the developing world, you’ll be giving back to society. It’s that drive to do the right thing that runs through our every move, grounded in our firm’s values – purposefully driven, actively curious and candid but kind.

We’re looking for people who want to contribute, spark fresh ideas and go beyond expectations. People who want to be able to proudly do what’s right, for the firm, our clients, our people and themselves. It’s how it should be.