Group Training and Development Manager

Goal of function:

The Training and Development Manager will drive the design, implementation, and management of the company’s learning and development framework to ensure the continual growth and capability of the workforce. This role will partner with business leaders to analyse current and future skills needs, craft strategic learning solutions, manage compliance to legislative requirements, and contribute to the overall talent and transformation agenda of the business.

Key responsibilities & accountabilities:

• Learning Strategy and Operational Delivery
• Develop, update and implement a comprehensive training strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Conduct skills gap analyses and design targeted learning interventions.
• Maintain and monitor Personal Development Plans (PDP’s) across business units.
• Lead the design and evaluation of learnerships, internships, and skills programmes.
• Integrate learning priorities with Employment Equity and B-BBEE strategies
• Has a full understanding of the various business units and their specific training

Requirements:

• Embrace and implement various types of training.
• Track budgets, negotiate supplier contracts, build and maintain relationships with third-party training providers.
• Assess the success of the development plans and modify where necessary
• Design and produce training materials, including e-learning courses.
• Establish learning analytics frameworks to measure ROI, learner engagement, and performance impact.
• Use data insights to continuously refine learning interventions and inform talent strategy.
• Drive capability building for critical roles and future skills.
• Link training outcomes to productivity, retention, and business growth metrics. Training Operations and Compliance
• Oversee coordination and facilitation (where required) of internal and external training, including vendor management and course registrations.
• Ensure full compliance with Skills Development legislation (Skills Development Act, SAQA Act, BCEA, EE Act, etc.).
• Identify and mitigate risks related to training compliance, accreditation, and data privacy.
• Ensure audit readiness by maintaining accurate, accessible training records and evidence of compliance
• Assist with preparation for submission WSP’s, ATR’s, and other statutory reports to SETA’s and regulatory bodies.
• Assist with documentation for audits and B-BBEE verification processes. Stakeholder Engagement and Reporting
• Collaborate with senior leaders, HR, and line managers to align learning with strategic goals.
• Engage with SETA’s, training providers, and verification agencies to ensure programme relevance and accreditation.
• Lead the annual skills development reporting cycle
• Present impact reports to management and Employment Equity Committees.
• Develop and maintain dashboards to track training KPI’s (completion rates, compliance metrics, ROI, learner satisfaction, and performance outcomes).
• Provide quarterly and annual reports to executive leadership, highlighting trends, risks, and recommendations for workforce capability planning.
• Benchmark training effectiveness against industry standards / previous financial years and report findings to management. Digital Learning and Content Management
• Manage and enhance the company’s inhouse / external e-learning platforms for accessibility and content quality.
• Create and distribute monthly learning theme campaigns
• Stay abreast of the latest developments in learning trends, changes in learning theory, and developments in learning technologies  Track and report on employee learning progress, completion rates and accessibility
•  Evaluate and implement AI-driven or adaptive learning technologies to personalize learning experiences.
• Integrate learning platforms with HRIS and performance management systems for seamless reporting People Leadership and Culture Building
• Champion a culture of learning and development across all levels.
• Mentor internal stakeholders on learning best practices and compliance responsibilities.
• Drive employee engagement through innovative learning experiences.
• Embed diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into training design and delivery.
• Incorporate sustainability and ESG-related learning modules where relevant. Process Optimization and Automation
• Process mapping and continuous improvement initiatives to streamline training operations and reduce manual workload.
• Benchmark against industry best practices and lead continuous improvement of learning systems and processes.

Core competencies:

• Excellent written, verbal communication and inter-personal skills
• Excellent analytical and time management skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to work under pressure, multitask and effectively set priorities
• Performance-oriented
• Possess initiative, enthusiasm and self-motivation to make things happen and get things done
• Self-starter who works well with limited supervision

Required education and experience

• Proven experience (5+ years) in a training and development role
• Ability to lead and coach a team; 2+ years management experience
• A relevant qualification / certification is preferred.
• Skilled in building relationships across departments, with external providers, SETA’s, and verification agencies
• Ability to manage multiple learning programmes, coordinate resources, and deliver on time and within budget
• Competent in using data to measure training impact, ROI, and compliance metrics
• Drive cultural shifts toward continuous learning and development, supports transformation and inclusion goals
• Understands training budgets, cost-benefit analysis, and how learning investments contribute to B-BBEE scoring