Learning & Development Manager - Retail Sector, UAE

About Al-Futtaim Group

Founded in the 1930s as a trading company, Al-Futtaim Group has evolved into a highly diversified and progressive private regional business, headquartered in Dubai, UAE. Its operations span five main sectors: automotive, financial services, real estate, retail, and healthcare. The group employs over 35,000 people across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, and collaborates with over 200 leading global brands. Guided by its core values of respect, excellence, collaboration, and integrity, Al-Futtaim strives to continuously enrich the lives and ambitions of its customers.

Role Purpose

This role is responsible for defining and steering the organization's competence development strategy to ensure the right leadership and capabilities are in place to meet business goals including revenue growth, workforce planning, performance support, and enhanced commercial results. Additionally, this position partners closely with business leaders to identify and cultivate talent within the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategically lead talent identification, development, and placement across back office and retail stores.
• Enhance leadership and capability development by leveraging offerings from Al Futtaim Learning Centre (AFLC) and Inter-brand Training College programs locally and globally.
• Support business growth and expansion by executing robust succession planning aligned with the Talent for Growth agenda.
• Continuously improve Talent and Learning & Development (L&D) processes through process mapping and activity reviews in line with Al Futtaim Talent Agenda.
• Collaborate with Acquisition teams to align selection and assessment with competence and leadership requirements.
• Design and implement leadership programs such as the 'Grow with Us' initiative to develop potential leaders at all levels.
• Maximize utilization of the AF Learning Centre and leadership programs like Leaders for Growth, Six Sigma, and Frontline Leadership.
• Coordinate with HR Business Partners and managers to ensure succession plans and individual development plans support brand growth and expansion.
• Collaborate with Emiratisation initiatives to ensure continued learning and development opportunities for Emirati employees.
• Engage with business to identify competent successors for key roles and comply with Talent Review processes including 9-box grid assessments.
• Work closely with Store L&Ds and HRBP to implement and monitor Individual Development Plans effectively.
• Business partner with various stakeholders across levels to ensure L&D agendas align with business objectives.
• Assist Store L&Ds in optimal use of Regional Training Levy budgets.
• Support leaders in tracking, measuring, and reporting on employee training and development, including recognizing achievements.
• Collaborate with AFLC and HRIS to optimize learning tools and systems (IGrow) for learning, succession, and development.
• Maintain updated employee and talent profiles as part of Talent Review processes.
• Design individual development plans aligned with company strategy and support agile succession planning based on assignments and competencies.
• Ensure learning integration at both individual and organizational levels utilizing AFLC offerings and delivering inter-brand foundation programs.
• Develop capacity of department trainers for effective program delivery and facilitation.
• Evaluate and adapt training programs to reflect changes in the work environment, corporate values, and leadership competencies.
• Support frameworks aimed at retaining Emirati workforce through suitable development approaches.
• Conduct annual Business Needs Analysis to inform regional learning and development strategies.
• Contribute to enhancing processes and systems for learning measurement tied to business goals.
• Guide Store L&Ds on training budget planning capturing potential costs for annual L&D and talent management activities.
• Support specific talent initiatives and programs within Al Futtaim as needed.

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree in Human Resource Management, Psychology, or Business Management.
• CIPD certification is highly desirable.
• Minimum of 5 years experience in training roles with at least 12 months in a training management position and 12 months as a Store L&D.
• Proven expertise in designing and deploying leadership capability reviews, competency frameworks, career development plans, talent management, and succession processes.
• Strong skills in budget planning, business acumen, communication design, data analysis, project management, change management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience conducting Talent and L&D operational audits.

About Al-Futtaim Retail

Al-Futtaim Retail is a dominant player in retail across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia with a 30-year legacy. The portfolio includes partnerships with globally renowned brands such as IKEA, ACE, Toys R Us, and the Inditex Group across Asia. The company is also one of Marks and Spencer’s largest global partners, operating over 75 stores offering fashion and food options. It has driven market entries for brands like Watsons and B&Q into the Middle East and continues to pursue new brand launches and expansion, employing a highly diverse workforce of more than 100 nationalities across 12 countries.