Learning and Development Specialist

Overview of the role

The learning & development specialist ensures the effective delivery of training solutions across stores and regional levels, aligning with the learning service level agreement (SLA). The role involves strategic planning, coordination, and monitoring of learning activities that support employee development, business priorities, and brand competency. The specialist works collaboratively with store management teams, HR business partners, facilitators, and subject matter experts to ensure that learning solutions are executed on time and with impactful outcomes. The role involves balancing strategic planning with operational execution, supporting mandatory and compliance requirements, behavioral development, and contributing to regional learning initiatives.

What you will do

Learning planning & SLA delivery

• Translate business and training needs into annual and monthly learning plans aligned with regional priorities and SLA commitments.
• Ensure learning activities are planned, communicated, and deployed within agreed timelines (monthly, quarterly, annual cycles).
• Achieve stakeholder alignment across store management, HRBP, regional L&D.

Training deployment & coordination

• Coordinate the end-to-end delivery of learning solutions including classroom, virtual, blended, and self-learning in line with learning pathways and priorities.
• Ensure availability and readiness of facilitators, buddies, and learning resources to meet service expectations.
• Maintain an active pool of facilitators and buddies.

Learning experience & engagement

• Drive learning engagement through campaigns, communication, and social learning initiatives.
• Promote a strong learning culture aligned with IKEA values and ways of working.
• Execute engagement campaigns successfully and achieve high learning participation and completion rates.

Monitoring, reporting & quality assurance

• Monitor learning delivery, completion, and certification through agreed platforms and dashboards.
• Ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely reporting in line with SLA standards.
• Deliver monthly learning dashboards on time and achieve certification and compliance targets.

Stakeholder partnership

• Act as the learning consultant for line managers, HRBP, SMEs, and regional L&D.
• Support managers in enabling development, performance cycles, and individual development plans (IDPs).
• Ensure manager satisfaction and successful learning enablement during key people cycles.

Continuous improvement & regional & retail division contribution

• Contribute to regional and retail learning initiatives, projects, and continuous improvement of learning solutions.
• Share insights, best practices, and learning outcomes with regional stakeholders.
• Participate actively in regional learning initiatives and ensure effective communication of best practices.

Required skills to be successful

• Strong organizational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• Proficiency in using digital tools and learning management systems (LMS) for tracking and coordinating learning activities.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of building positive relationships with managers, HR, facilitators, and co-workers.
• Adaptability to a fast-paced retail environment, maintaining flexibility and positivity in shifting priorities.

What qualifies you for the role

• Diploma, higher diploma, or equivalent vocational qualification in human resources, learning & development, business, or a related field.
• 1-3 years of experience in learning & development, HR, or a people support role, preferably within a retail or operational environment.
• Proficiency with learning management systems (LMS) and digital tools for learning delivery and coordination.
• Strong organizational, planning, and follow-up skills, with experience in managing timelines, learning calendars, and coordination across multiple stakeholders.

About Al-Futtaim Retail

Al-Futtaim Retail has established itself as one of the leaders in retail across the Middle East, Africa & Asia over the past 30 years. We have developed partnerships with some of the biggest and most respected brands in the world including IKEA, ACE and Toys R Us in the Middle East and the Inditex Group of Brands (Zara, Mango, Bershka and P&B) across Asia. We are also one of the largest global partners of Marks and Spencer’s in both regions with over 75 stores offering both fashion & food options.

Most recently we have been responsible for bringing brands to the Middle East for the first time with the exciting launches of Watsons and B&Q and we aim to continue to be agile and adaptive to our markets with new launches and further development. For this to be possible we aim to recruit the best talent from all backgrounds who will continue to challenge and develop our diverse workforce which includes over 100 nationalities across 12 countries. Join us today and make a difference…