Global Head of Learning & Development

Job description

12-Month Fixed-Term Maternity Cover | Senior Director Level | Global / Remote Why This Role Matters Shape the future of learning, capability and workforce transformation at one of the world's leading sustainability consulting firms. ERM is seeking an accomplished global Learning & Development leader to provide executive leadership during a critical period of transformation. This is far more than a maternity cover role. It is an opportunity to influence how a global organization develops talent, accelerates AI adoption, builds future-ready capabilities, and advances its journey toward becoming a skills-based organization. As Global Head of Learning & Development, you will lead a high-performing global team while overseeing strategic initiatives that are redefining how learning, capability development, and workforce transformation drive business success. From AI-enabled learning and digital transformation to skills architecture and learning technology innovation, your leadership will help ensure ERM's people are equipped to thrive in the future of work. This role is ideal for a senior L&D executive who is energized by complex global environments, skilled at turning strategy into execution, and passionate about creating measurable business impact through learning. What Your Impact Is In this role, you will: Lead ERM's global Learning & Development function, ensuring operational excellence, continuity, and strategic alignment during a period of significant transformation. Drive enterprise-wide capability development initiatives that support AI adoption, commercial growth, consulting excellence, and business transformation. Accelerate ERM's evolution toward a skills-based organization by connecting skills, job architecture, career pathways, and learning experiences. Influence the capabilities required for an AI-enabled workforce and help shape how learning supports future ways of working. Advance the maturity of ERM's learning operating model through process optimization, technology innovation, analytics, governance, and resource planning. Champion a culture of continuous learning that empowers employees to grow, adapt, and perform at their best. What You'll Bring Required 10+ years of progressive experience in Learning & Development, Talent Development, Organizational Capability, Workforce Skills, or related People functions. Proven experience leading global or geographically dispersed L&D teams within complex, matrixed, or professional services environments. Demonstrated success leading learning strategies that support large-scale business transformation, technology adoption, organizational change, or capability-building initiatives. Experience supporting or enabling a transition to a skills-based organization. Strong executive leadership skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders, governance groups, transformation leaders, and business executives. Expertise in learning operating models, governance, demand management, portfolio prioritization, resource planning, and delivery oversight. Experience overseeing enterprise learning initiatives related to AI enablement, digital fluency, organizational transformation, or future of work programs. Strong understanding of learning technologies, learning operations, analytics, reporting, and digital learning ecosystems. Experience managing complex portfolios, budgets, external vendors, and multiple concurrent strategic initiatives. Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and decision-making skills. Ability to thrive in fast-paced environments, navigate ambiguity, and make pragmatic, business-focused decisions. Preferred Experience within professional services, consulting, advisory, or other knowledge-based organizations. Experience designing or implementing skills frameworks, proficiency models, job architecture, or skills-based talent processes. Experience aligning learning strategies with workforce planning, talent acquisition, internal mobility, or broader talent management initiatives. Deep understanding of change management, adoption strategies, and behavior change methodologies. Experience leveraging AI to improve learning design, content development, workflow automation, learner support, and team effectiveness. Strong commercial acumen and understanding of consulting delivery, client service excellence, and organizational growth strategies. Experience promoting learning culture initiatives that encourage self-directed learning and continuous development. Key Responsibilities Lead ERM's Global Learning & Development Function Provide strategic leadership to a global team of approximately 25 learning professionals and contractors. Lead and support Directors and workstream leaders across leadership development, career development, commercial learning, compliance, health & safety learning, learning operations, and learning technology. Maintain effective governance, communication rhythms, stakeholder engagement, and leadership oversight across the L&D portfolio. Ensure learning delivery remains well-governed, appropriately resourced, and aligned with business priorities. Drive Enterprise Transformation and Capability Building Provide executive oversight of AI upskilling initiatives spanning foundational through advanced capability levels. Lead learning strategies that support Client Delivery Excellence (CDE), Consulting Delivery Hub (CDH), Commercial Learning, Finance Transformation, and other enterprise transformation programs. Align learning priorities with broader Future of Work, Global Process & Data, Skills, and PMO initiatives. Define and enable the capability shifts required for an increasingly AI-enabled workforce. Advance ERM's Skills-Based Organization Journey Collaborate with Skills, Talent, HR, and business leaders to align job profiles, skills frameworks, proficiency expectations, and learning pathways. Translate enterprise skills strategies into practical learning solutions and measurable capability outcomes. Support pilots, experimentation, and continuous improvement efforts that inform future workforce and talent strategies. Shape the Future of Learning at ERM Embed AI-enabled practices into learning workflows, content development, and team operations to improve quality, speed, and scalability. Modernize learning processes and operating models to create greater efficiency, consistency, and transparency. Sponsor learning culture initiatives that encourage curiosity, growth, and continuous development across the organization. Oversee learning technology strategy, including LMS enhancements, learning experience platforms, analytics, and future technology roadmaps. Deliver Operational Excellence Oversee intake management, prioritization, resource planning, reporting, analytics, and performance measurement. Manage budgets, vendor relationships, and delivery performance across the global portfolio. Identify and mitigate risks related to stakeholder alignment, resource constraints, adoption challenges, competing priorities, and delivery quality. Provide clear executive reporting, governance updates, and decision support to senior leaders and stakeholders. Join Us This is a unique opportunity to step into a highly visible global leadership role where you will influence how ERM develops talent, builds future capabilities, and prepares its workforce for the next era of growth. If you are a strategic L&D leader with a passion for transformation, skills-based talent development, and the future of work, we invite you to help shape what's next. ⠀ ERM is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive, it’s an essential part of what makes ERM a great place to build a career and helps us create better solutions for our clients. We welcome talent from all backgrounds and provide equal opportunities for every candidate. If you have a disability, are neurodivergent, or need accommodations during the selection process, we’re here to support you. Our commitment doesn’t stop at hiring. Once you join us, we’ll ensure you have the tools, support, and adjustments needed to succeed and feel a true sense of belonging. Learn more about our Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging (DIB) efforts by visiting our website or exploring our 2025 Sustainability Report. .