Overview

Our Story

From its inception in 1994, Chrissie Rucker’s vision was to build a company that specialised in stylish, white, designer-quality items for the home that were not only exceptional quality, but also outstanding value for money. In addition to this devotion to simplicity, it was imperative the customer was put at the heart of everything and provided with a second-to-none shopping experience - and so The White Company was born. Today, the company that began as a 12-page mail-order brochure has become one of the UK’s fast-growing multi-channel retailers and a leading lifestyle brand with 76 stores across the UK and impressive global growth.

Role

This role leads the design, delivery and management of learning and development initiatives and interventions across The White Company. A key focus is ensuring a ‘Fit for Future’ growth approach by listening to employee feedback, utilising our Development Hub LMS system, and building strong relationships with key stakeholders to develop career development and a culture where everyone has the opportunity to own their development. All initiatives support people and business strategies and organisational growth, covering behavioural and technical skills, competency development and management; team building; talent identification, talent management and career pathing; as well as Leadership Development.

Responsibilities

• Strategy and Impact
  • In partnership with the Head of OD and Culture, develop a learning strategy for the business encompassing technical and behavioural learning needs, supporting TWC’s business strategy
  • Review our current learning offer, approach and impact, ensuring our LMS is included, and oversee the training delivery schedule for the business
  • Work with the Senior Comms and Engagement Manager to align L&D and C&E approaches to heighten our culture
  • Assess learning and training needs across the whole business
  • Develop bespoke learning programmes in response to identified and prioritised learning needs
  • Identify relevant third-party suppliers for partnership when external expertise or resources are needed
  • Manage the L&D department budget
• Learning Management System
  • Lead the success of our LMS ensuring the L&D Team have clear short- and long-term goals
  • Oversee the creation of all digital learning initiatives with the L&D Digital Specialist and define success metrics
  • Develop a system for evaluating training success and maximise transfer of learning
• Performance & Potential
  • Develop an approach to performance management and feedback to support individuals, teams and the business
  • Support talent management with a focus on retaining high-potential employees
  • Create skills-based career pathways, considering skills gaps and Company Strategy
  • Champion career development plans and ongoing growth for all colleagues
  • Enhance a culture of feedback and constructive input
  • Engage in talent discussions and work with People Partnership to implement recommendations
• Design & Delivery
  • Ensure training material reflects the TWC brand, values and culture
  • Design programmes focused on career development with the Head of OD & Culture
  • Oversee delivery of technical skills and product training and induction activity
  • Provide coaching and support to leaders and managers
  • Own the psychometric tool ‘Insights Discovery’ for development purposes
• Team & Stakeholder Management
  • Manage the L&D team and line-manage the L&D Advisor
  • Form partnerships with business partners and stakeholders
  • Collaborate with Senior People, Talent and Comms & Engagement Managers to align people-centric initiatives
  • Build relationships with management teams to create SMART development plans
  • Foster a coaching and mentoring approach across the business
  • Deliver people projects and initiatives through the team
  • Establish strong ways of working to create a secure, productive and positive environment

Skills and experience you’ll need

• Team leadership and management experience
• Experience in Learning Management Systems
• Training design skills
• Experienced facilitation of Leadership Theory
• CiPD or similar qualifications desirable
• Insights Discovery accreditation desirable
• Experienced coach and mentor
• Deep understanding of the learning cycle
• Project management skills
• Dynamic approach to workload
• Stakeholder management
• Planning and organisational skills
• Office 365 experience
• Experience working with 3rd parties (consultants/partnerships)
• Ability to work at pace
• Solution provider and problem solver

What will make you brilliant at this role

• A love of developing others
• A passion for our brand and helping people realise their potential
• Honest, open and transparent way of working
• Love of seeing people succeed
• Ability to build incredible relationships with people at all levels
• Experience in designing and delivering inspirational L&D interventions
• Positive approach to managing external relationships with outsource partners
• Encourage collective thinking and shared success
• Experience in managing people and setting high standards
• Experience in managing projects from concept to delivery
• Comfort with systems (Office 365) and quick adaptability to new solutions
• Love of retail and experience designing training across remote locations
• Desire to create something special and influence others

What we’ll offer you

At The White Company, we value our employees for going the extra mile for every customer; we reward this with great benefits and competitive salaries.

• Discount – Up to 50% and access to regular Sample Sales
• Holiday – 25 days rising to 28 with length of service
• 10% Bonus – discretionary bonus scheme (subject to policy eligibility)
• Pension Scheme – enrolled in Group Personal Pension schemes on joining
• Perkplace Benefits Platform – discounts across wellbeing and lifestyle
• Wagestream Money Management app – financial wellbeing
• Continued Development – in-house L&D Hub support
• Salary sacrifice for electric vehicles (dependent on grade and eligibility)
• Private Healthcare with Babylon Digital Healthcare (contract duration dependent)
• Life Assurance

Additional Benefits

• Fruit basket daily
• Tea and coffee provided
• Working from home – option to work from home on Mondays and Fridays
• Social – Christmas party and events throughout the year
• Seasonal Sample Sales
• Volunteer Day – charity of your choice
• Great location – Shepherds Bush, White City, Wood Lane, near Westfield

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to creating an inclusive culture that welcomes and celebrates diversity. We strive for an environment where people can bring their authentic selves, where their contribution is valued, and where difference is respected and celebrated. We are committed to an active Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy, which starts with our recruitment process.

Sustainability

We are committed to building a sustainable legacy that will enable a brighter future for people and our planet, and we believe this should be reflected in everything we do.