Learning & Development Manager NEW

MCS Group

Learning & Development Lead – Newry – High-Growth Organisation

MCS Group is delighted to be partnering exclusively with a rapidly growing, award-winning organisation to recruit a Learning & Development Lead on a full-time, permanent basis. The business has experienced exceptional growth, tripling its turnover within the last two years.

This is a standalone L&D opportunity, offering the successful candidate the chance to shape and drive learning, talent and development initiatives across a growing operational workforce.

Reporting to the Head of People, the Learning & Development Lead will lead the delivery of the organisation’s people development strategy, with a particular focus on early careers, apprenticeships, leadership capability and end-to-end learning initiatives across both site-based and corporate teams.

The Role

Key responsibilities will include:

• Developing and delivering the organisation’s L&D strategy across multiple sites and functions
• Leading apprenticeship, graduate, emerging talent and early careers initiatives across NI and ROI
• Designing and facilitating bespoke internal training programmes, workshops and development activities
• Partnering closely with operational leaders and the People team to identify development needs and succession opportunities
• Supporting talent planning, career pathways and management capability initiatives
• Managing and enhancing digital learning initiatives
• Coordinating external learning providers and building preferred supplier relationships
• Tracking learning effectiveness, ROI and business impact through KPIs and reporting metrics
• Supporting onboarding, mentoring and employee engagement initiatives
• Promoting a culture of continuous learning and development across both operational and white-collar workforces

The Person

The successful candidate will bring:

• Proven experience managing the full L&D lifecycle within a fast-paced environment
• Strong experience within early careers, apprenticeships, talent planning and workforce development
• Experience designing and delivering internal training programmes and facilitated workshops
• Ability to engage credibly with senior stakeholders and operational teams
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously
• Experience using digital learning platforms, LMS systems and e-learning tools
• Ability to tailor communication and training approaches across site-based and office-based employees
• Experience measuring learning outcomes and demonstrating ROI/business impact

Desirable Criteria

• Experience within manufacturing, engineering, industrial or construction environments
• Understanding of compliance and training requirements within operational settings
• Knowledge of apprenticeship and early careers pathways across ROI and NI
• Existing relationships with universities, colleges or external training providers
• Familiarity with Insights Discovery or similar development tools
• Exposure to Investors in People or Skills for Growth initiatives

The Package

• £45,000 – £50,000 salary with flexibility for the right candidate
• Full-time permanent opportunity
• On-site role based in Newry
• Working hours of 8am – 5pm or 8:30am – 5:30pm with early finish Fridays
• 31 days annual leave
• Health cash plan after one year’s service
• On-site gym facilities

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious L&D professional to join a business during a significant phase of growth and play a key role in shaping the future capability, leadership and talent agenda across the organisation.

To speak in absolute confidence about this opportunity, please send your CV via the link provided or contact Ryan Calvert (Assoc. CIPD), HR Recruitment Specialist at MCS Group, on .

Even if this position is not quite right for you, MCS Group has a wide range of opportunities available. Please visit to explore further opportunities.

MCS Group – CIPD NI HR Awards Headline Sponsor 2026