Talent, Learning and Development Lead

Who are we

First Rail London (FRL) is the train operating company responsible for running the London Overground network under a concession agreement with Transport for London (TfL). The concession began in May 2026.

FirstRail London is part of FirstGroup, one of the leading rail operators and one of the largest bus operators in the UK. FirstGroup operates services throughout the UK and Ireland, with over 30,000 employees providing services that make travel smoother and life easier. FirstGroup works hard to reduce its impact on the environment, introducing cleaner and more environmentally responsible methods of transport.

About the job

The purpose of this role is to lead, design and deliver a comprehensive learning and development strategy that supports organisational capability, workforce planning and future skills needs. The Talent, Learning and Development Lead is responsible for creating an inclusive, high-performing learning culture that attracts, develops and retains talent at all levels, including apprentices, early careers, management, and senior roles.

The post holder will ensure high-quality learning interventions, effective onboarding, career transition support, and the successful implementation of Apprenticeship programmes across the organisation. The role combines strategic oversight with hands‑on delivery, ensuring programmes are aligned to business objectives, compliant with legislation and governance standards, and deliver measurable outcomes.

Your main responsibilities will be:

• Act as the organisational subject matter expert for Talent, Learning and Development, providing strategic guidance and partnering with the Executive and senior leadership team.
• Define and deliver the Talent, Learning and Development strategy, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities, concession contractual commitments and First Rail, as the parent organisation's direction.
• Lead organisational capability and talent planning, integrating skills frameworks, career pathways, succession planning and leadership development to build robust talent pipelines and meet current and future workforce needs.
• Oversee the end‑to‑end learning and development lifecycle, translating capability priorities into targeted interventions and ensuring the design, delivery and integration of solutions with performance and talent processes to drive measurable business outcomes.
• Embed a culture of continuous learning and development, promoting inclusive, accessible and modern learning practices.
• Support organisational change and transformation, ensuring the workforce is equipped with the skills and capabilities required to adapt and succeed.
• Develop and manage external partnerships, including training providers, professional bodies and industry networks, to enhance capability and bring in best practice.
• Establish and embed evaluation approaches, measuring the effectiveness, impact and value of Talent, Learning and Development activity.
• Lead governance and compliance to ensure all programmes and activities comply with relevant legislation, policies, governance frameworks and quality standards.
• Manage budgets and supplier relationships, ensuring cost‑effective delivery and value for money.
• Oversee the Apprenticeship programmes' management, ensuring engagement, compliance, quality delivery and alignment with organisational strategy and contractual commitments.
• Promote early careers initiatives, including outreach and engagement with schools and community partners.
• Act as the Social Labour Needs Training Plan Lead managing the relationship with RfL for this and ensuring all commitments within this plan are delivered annually.
• Manage and develop the chosenLearning Management System (LMS), ensuring accurate reporting, compliance and user engagement.

As a minimum, you will need to have:

• Significant experience leading Talent, Learning and Development at a senior level, with responsibility for strategy development and delivery.
• Proven track record of building organisational capability through effective talent, learning and development interventions.
• Experience of leading workforce planning and succession planning activity to support future organisational needs.
• Significant experience managing and developing Apprenticeship programmes.
• Experience of designing and implementing leadership and career development frameworks.
• Experience of working in partnership with senior stakeholders to influence decision‑making and drive outcomes.
• Experience of working with external providers and managing supplier relationships to deliver high‑quality learning solutions.
• Experience of using data and insight to evaluate impact, inform decisions and continuously improve provision.
• Experience of managing budgets and ensuring cost‑effective delivery of L&D activity

Desirable

• Degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline (e.g. HR, Business, Psychology).
• Chartered CIPD (Level 7) or equivalent professional accreditation.
• Evidence of continued professional development in Talent, Learning and Organisational Development
• Training or teaching qualifications (e.g. Train the Trainer or equivalent)

The Reward

• Free Travel for you and a nominated person at your address on TfL Network - this alone is worth a potential total of £5,200 per annum
• 75% discount off season tickets and leisure travel on other Train Operating Companies
• Discounts on European rail services after 1 year of service
• First Xclusives – a benefits portal offering a wide range of benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Programme - 24hr helpline, covering a multitude of subjects

We all belong at First Rail London.

FirstGroup's vision is to provide an inclusive environment for all colleagues, across its group of businesses, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment.

We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA+, ethnicity, religion, and disability. We maintain a zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent.

We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive.

We review all roles and job descriptions to ensure they are accessible and, where possible, we support and provide flexible working options; we recommend that you refer to each vacancy description for further details.

If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition, for example, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below. We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.

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