The role of head of learning & development

Learning and development has remained a popular niche in the HR function. Positions within L&D in Indonesia are highly sought-after but relatively rare. However, as employers look towards grooming talent internally, a majority of organisations have increased their focus on L&D.

What does a career as the head of L&D involve? We outline some of the key responsibilities.

The overall L&D function

Generally, the head of L&d is often someone who delivers and structures programmes within the company. The L&D leader is responsible for devising an overall strategy for a company and it’s employees. These training programmes can be conducted internally with top management or with external vendors depending on the skill sets needed. Most often, you would also be expected to ensure that the learning and development programs implemented generate acceptable returns on investment. This is extremely critical in the candidate-driven employment scene in Indonesia. As more candidates are presented with multiple job offers, learning and development has emerged as one of the key retention strategies for top talent.

Experience you will need

To secure a role as the head of L&D, you will need to have held a senior specialist role in this function, preferably with experience in servicing a senior client base. As most clients require learning and development programs which are tailored to the learning needs of employees in their industry, experience in the relevant industry is also an advantage.

Day-to-day responsibilities

As the head of learning and development, you would report to the HR director and be expected to influence the board and senior managers at all levels to adopt and support effective approaches to learning and development. You will also be involved in succession planning and talent management in your company. The head role in L&D is a strategic management role. Hence, these professionals are required to meet with the heads of organisations on a regular basis and manage a team. You will also need to liaise with senior management and HR figures to align the overall learning and development strategy with the broader business goals of the company.

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