Learning and Talent Development Coordinator (Apprenticeship)

Learning and Talent Development Coordinator (Apprenticeship)

Our colleagues are at the heart of our business and are critical to our customers’ experiences and perceptions of WHSmith. We are committed to being an inclusive employer where everyone is treated fairly and respectfully. We want to attract, motivate, and retain the best people to deliver great customer service and help our business grow.

At WHSmith, we create opportunities for people to reach their potential. Value our people, customer focus, accountability, and drive for results are integral to the business.

As the Learning and Talent Development Coordinator you will support the growth and development of our colleagues. In this role, you will be responsible for managing the shared mailboxes, coordinating a variety of development programmes and learning activities, while providing general administrative support. The ideal candidate will have a passion for learning and talent development, excellent organisational skills, the ability to collaborate across departments, and hungry to develop their own skills in this space by completing a Level 3 Learning and Development Practitioner apprenticeship. By applying for this role, you are expected to commit to enrolling in the Level 3 Learning and Development Practitioner apprenticeship within the first 3-5 months of employment.

Reporting directly to the Senior Manager, Learning and Development, you will collaborate closely with the wider learning and talent development team, people partners and DEI to support the execution of learning and talent development initatives that align to our strategy.

The Learning and Talent Development Coordinator plays a crucial role in supporting our colleagues’ growth and fostering a culture of continuous learning at WHSmith. The ideal person will be a proactive and highly competent individual who can operate in a fast-paced environment, add value, and hungry for a career in the learning and talent development space.

Why WHSmith is different

We are a leading global travel retailer in news, books, and convenience for the world’s traveling customers, and a popular UK high street stationer, bookseller, and newsagent.

As our business grows, our purpose for every journey there is a WHSmith becomes evident. Today, we are present in over 30 countries worldwide, employing a diverse group of more than 14,000 employees and supporting thousands of local communities and the environment around us. Our portfolio of successful brands plus partnered brands allows us to adapt to changing dynamics and the individual requirements of customers worldwide. We deliver exceptional customer service and quality offerings across all our brands.

As a major retailer, our operations can have far-reaching consequences, and we are increasingly sensitive to the global issues that impact our world. We want our customers to trust us to act sustainably, ensuring we have minimal environmental impact, that we source our products fairly and ethically, and that we support the communities where we operate.

Primary Responsibilities

Administration

• Ownership and management of the shared mailboxes and to escalate issues as and
• when required
• Manage the learning and training calendars
• Provide general adminstravitve support to the wider Learning and Talent Development
• team as and when required
• Support with key projects as and when required

Learning Management System (LMS) Management

• Manage and maintain the Learning Management System (Astute)
• Complete daily uploads of learner data ensuring data is accurate
• Enrol learners in the right courses and track attendance
• Collaborate with the data and reporting team to report on training progress and
• completions
• Ensure that all mandatory compliance training (such as safety, data protection,
• diversity) is scheduled, tracked and completed by relevant collegaues
• First port of call to troubleshoot issues raised by learners

Onboarding and Orientation Support

• Work with the wider Learning and Talent Development team and key stakeholders to
• coordinate onboarding and orientation as part of our groupwide induction (WHStart) for
• new joiners, ensuring they are set-up for success

Learning Resources Development

• Support with developing and maintaining training materials, handouts and
• presentations for training and development sessions
• Partner with subject matter experts to ensure content is relevant and up to date

Evaluation and Feedback Collection

• Track and analyse the effectiveness of training and development programmes through
• feedback forms, surveys and assessments
• Use insights to recommend improvements

About You

• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with various
• teams and stakeholders
• Frontline retail experience, such as working in a store, would be beneficial but is not
• essential
• Intermediate Microsoft Office Suite skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently
• Passion for learning and talent development
• A positive ‘can do’ attitude

This role will be based in our Central London office (3 days per week) with some travel and visits to Swindon