Talent and Learning & Development Director

University of Warwick - Talent and Learning & Development Community of Expertise (CoE)

Placed On: 3rd March 2026

Closes: 20th March 2026

Job Ref: 920553

About the role

As our Talent and Learning & Development Director you will lead the Talent and Learning & Development Community of Expertise (CoE). This CoE encompasses four overarching teams: Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development (L&D), Leadership Programmes, and Talent Strategy & Management. You will report to the Chief People Officer.

About you

As the senior leader in this area, you will be recognised as the expert for all matters related to talent management, acquisition, and employee and leadership learning and development. You will be an effective collaborator with other CoE leads on People initiatives and strategies, as well as the Director of People Operations and Director of Strategic People Partners. Your key purpose will be to promote cohesion across the CoE, developing and implementing talent and L&D related strategies that are aligned to the broader University of Warwick strategy and overall growth ambitions.

To succeed with us you will need to have a deep People functional domain expertise and a strong understanding of talent management and acquisition and learning related business imperatives, as well as market practice. You will have operated successfully at a senior level, with a proven track record of thinking and working collaboratively and cross-functionally to offer advisory expertise, identify pain points, and responsible for areas of improvement/growth.

An adept financial understanding and experience in budgeting is key, as is taking accountability for Diversity, Equality and Inclusivity (DEI) within talent and learning & development frameworks.

This is a tremendously exciting role within our People function and wider University. It provides a blend of challenge, growth and professional reward that makes it ideal for an individual who is keen to combine all their hard won People skills and abilities in a truly global, ambitious and complex organisation. We welcome applications for all sectors, and while specific Higher Education knowledge may prove worthwhile, it is not essential.

Benefits

• 30 days of paid annual leave, 4 shut-down days at Christmas, and 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme
• Staff training
• Free eye care vouchers
• Discounted private healthcare and cash plans
• Discounts at Warwick Arts Centre and Warwick Sport Membership
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme, a complete support network that offers expert advice and guidance 24/7

About the University

Ranked 69th in the world and 9th in the UK, Warwick is one of the world’s leading universities for teaching and research. With an absolute commitment to excellence and an ambition to challenge the status quo, we’ve inspired positive change, sparked innovation and created opportunity across our local community, our region, the country and beyond.

Our campus, on the border between Coventry and Warwickshire, is home to over 28,000 students and 7,000 staff. You’ll be joining a diverse, innovative and globally connected community committed to igniting real world progress.

For further information to shape your application a fuller job description can be viewed here.

How to apply

The University of Warwick has appointed SearchHigher as their recruitment partner for this campaign; please apply above by submitting a CV & Cover Letter in Word Document format, or you can also email your documents to enquiries@searchhigher.com.

Interviews will be held on the University of Warwick campus

Closing date: Friday 20th March 2026