Learning and Talent Development Manager

Salary: £72,547 up to £75,000 per annum dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time

Security Level: BPSS

Base Location: Gatwick – 2 days per week office attendance (to manage existing team)

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship

We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

The Role

The Learning and Talent Manager is responsible for shaping and delivering our organisation-wide approach to learning, talent development and early careers. This includes leading the design and delivery of a cohesive development offer for the Executive Committee (ExCo) and wider leadership population, ensuring senior leaders are equipped to drive performance, cultural alignment and future capability across the organisation.

The role supports the growth and progression of colleagues from apprentices and graduates to senior leader ensuring alignment with organisational priorities, workforce planning and future skills requirements. A key focus is the creation of scalable, high-impact learning and development solutions that build critical organisational capability.

The role leads the development and implementation of organisational capability frameworks, including talent and PDC, and contributes as a key delivery lead within the design and implementation of the organisation’s job architecture programme

The Learning and Talent Manager leads a team of career development and learning professionals, providing strategic direction, coaching and oversight to ensure the successful delivery of all learning, talent and capability initiatives aligned to the CAA People Strategy and ASO delivery.

Key area of focus/responsibility

Executive and Leadership Development

• Lead the design and delivery of a multi-year and enduring Executive Development Programme
• Lead the design and delivery of a multi-year and enduring Senior Leadership curriculum of learning and development programmes
• Own  and lead the continued professional development of the Leadership 50 population to build organisational capability and alignment with the Living Leadership Competencies.

Talent Management

• Accountable for shaping and delivering the CAA’s talent management and succession planning framework, working closely with ExCo to drive a consistent, pan-CAA approach and build organisational capability.
• Lead the operation of the CAA Talent Board, driving oversight of talent decisions and ensuring delivery of agreed outcomes across the organisation
• Embed and incorporate the Leadership Competency framework into the colleague and organisational lifecycle.

Learning and Development

• Develop and implement a core learning and development strategy that enhances organisational capability.
• Lead the design and delivery of a compelling management development approach to ensure the CAA delivers its People Strategy.
• Lead the design and delivery of a comprehensive learning portfolio, encompassing mandatory and behavioural (soft skills) programmes to support organisational capability.
• Own and lead the CAA approach to onboarding and Corporate Induction Programme
• Evaluate learning effectiveness and drive continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to identify learning needs and create tailored solutions.

Career Development

Lead the Organisational Capability elements of the job architecture project to build the CAA wide architecture..

Create and embed career pathways and development frameworks to support CAA Professions, internal mobility and progression.

Introduce, launch and embed CAA coaching and mentoring.

Early Careers and Graduate Programmes

• Lead and shape the CAA’s early careers strategy, covering internships, placements, graduate and apprenticeship programmes to build future capability pipelines.
• Design and implement structured graduate development programmes that align with strategic business priorities and capability requirements.
• Partner with external training providers to deliver high-quality apprenticeship experiences.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and development of early careers cohorts.
• Track performance and progression of graduates and early careers talent.

Decision Making

-         Strategic Planning

• Lead and shape the CAA’s early careers strategy, covering internships, placements, graduate and apprenticeship programmes to build future capability pipelines.
• Provide oversight of programme design and delivery across L&D, career development, and apprenticeship programmes, defining the optimal structure, content, and delivery approaches to maximise organisational impact.
• Lead the selection and engagement of external providers and partners, ensuring quality, value for money, and alignment with organisational objectives.
  
  

-         Resource Allocation

• Managing budgets across CAA Corporate learning, apprenticeships, and early careers ensuring appropriate procurement are adhered to.
• Allocating team responsibilities and ensuring capacity to deliver.
  
  

-         Policy and Compliance

• Making decisions on CAA  policies related to development and progression.

Influencing Others

-         Senior Leadership and ExCo

• • Influencing strategic priorities and investment in talent development.
  • Presenting impact and ROI of programmes to gain buy-in.

-         Line Managers

• • Give expert advice on learning and career development.

-         External Stakeholders

• • Building relationships with training providers, universities, and professional bodies.
  • Negotiating contracts and partnerships.

-         Colleagues

• • Foster a culture of continuous learning by inspiring engagement in development opportunities and career growth across the organisation.
  • Advocate for inclusive, accessible development pathways, ensuring equitable opportunities to build capability and progress.

Managing Others

-         Team Leadership

• • Providing direction, coaching, and support to the Organisational Capability learning and career development team..
  • Setting objectives, monitoring performance, and supporting professional growth.

-         Cross-Functional Collaboration

• • Lead cross-functional alignment with People and Culture, workforce planning, and finance to ensure integrated, organisation-wide delivery of talent and development initiatives.
  • Drive collaboration across departments, enabling effective and joined-up programme delivery

-         Operational Oversight

• • Ensuring delivery of high-quality programmes and services.
  • Managing timelines, risks, and reporting across all areas.

Additional Information

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.

BPSS - To be vetted you must have the right to work in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken.

If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

For more information on BPSS clearance please visit - BPSS clearance

The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.

Relocation & Property

The CAA will be relocating from Aviation House (Our Gatwick Office) to new premises in a few years’ time. Our move is driven by strategic, operational and environmental considerations.

We will be moving to a new local home, up to a 15-mile radius of Aviation House, to minimise disruption for our valued colleagues and customers.

We are now working with colleagues and visitors to understand what we need in our new office, before we start our property search. We will sell Aviation House and land, vacate the site and move to new premises, but we do not expect to move before 2028

Inclusive Recruitment

We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.

Use of Artificial Intelligence by candidates in the CAA recruitment process

We recognise that many of our candidates find Artificial Intelligence to be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected on that basis.

Working With Us

We are on a journey towards being increasingly adaptable, where our colleagues collaborate as part of cross-functional teams. This approach ensures we never stop learning together. It also means that you may become involved in activities that take you out of your day-to-day role, providing you with opportunities to develop and grow your career with us.

We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance.

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more!

Our Values

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here

Closing Date: Sunday 5th July 2026

Interview Date: Tuesday 21st and Wednesday 22nd July 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

No recruitment agencies please.