Head of Development

Description

This is an exciting new position which will play a key role in the success of our Training Academy. Reporting directly to the Group MD, this role will have responsibility for leading and managing the Airedale Academy as a high-performing internal training center that runs with strategic and financial discipline. The role will oversee planning, operational delivery, financial management, and performance monitoring to ensure the Academy delivers measurable ROI through improved field operations, technical upskilling, and workforce efficiency.

Job Overview: As Head of Academy Development, you will work closely with our individual business units to assess requirements, validate business cases, define training scopes, and ensure the timely delivery of high-quality training solutions that directly support operational improvements such as resourcing for business growth, increased first-time-fix rates and productivity.

• Manage annual planning such as forecasting, resource planning, and capacity management.
• Develop and deliver the Airedale Academy strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Quantify and report on ROI (improvement of first-time fixes, efficiency in the field, staff retention etc)
• Mitigate any risks by ensuring accurate records, audit trails, and reporting structures are in place.
• Analyse training needs and validate business cases for new training programmes.
• Oversee quality assurance processes to maintain consistent, high-quality technical training standards.
• Partner with business unit directors to identify gaps and training needs.
• Coordinate the design, development, delivery, and evaluation of technical and operational training programmes.
• Work closely with Finance, HR and Internal Recruitment departments to ensure sustainable talent pipelines, accurate budgeting, and effective resourcing for all training programs.
• Provide regular performance reports and insights to senior leaders.
• Monitor programme performance, learner outcomes, and trainer effectiveness.
• Ensure the Academy operates as a financially sustainable unit with clear cost models.
• Define and agree training scopes including content, delivery methods, resource requirements, timelines, and full costings.
• Drive the continuous improvement of training content, delivery methods, and learning technologies.

Requirements

• Ability to conduct training needs analysis and convert business requirements into structured training programmes.
• Previous experience in leading strategy, delivery and performance metrics.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong organisation and project management capability.
• Confidence working with data and metrics to inform decisions and measure outcomes.
• Demonstrable background in managing budgets, and ROI reporting.
• Experience of overseeing training centers or end-to-end L&D operations would be highly advantageous.
• Strong operational management capabilities, including planning, forecasting, and resource management.

Benefits

Location: Brackley, with the option to work hybrid.

The Airedale Group is expanding rapidly, employing circa 700 people across multiple locations in the UK. This is a fantastic time to be joining the business with opportunities for career progression.

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance