Talent & Development Assistant Manager

Job Title: Talent & Development Assistant Manager
Location: Hybrid Working – London EC4M / N3 (Minimum 3 days in office across both offices)
Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 35 hour week
Reporting to: Talent & Development Senior Manager

Salary: £45,000 - £55,000

About BKL

BKL is a Top 40 accountancy and advisory business supporting a diverse client base, from entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals to ambitious owner-managed businesses and multinational groups. With a legacy spanning over 130 years, we’ve evolved into a modern, purpose-driven business that balances profit with impact.

We are proud to be a certified B Corp, reflecting our commitment to sustainability, transparency, and responsible governance. As a member of DFK International, we support clients locally and internationally with cutting-edge expertise and a personal touch.

We believe all clients deserve the same level of care, innovation, and excellence.

Your Opportunity

We are looking for a Learning & Development professional to join our Talent & Development team.

This role combines learning programme design and delivery with responsibility for our Early Careers programme. You'll create and deliver learning that builds capability across the firm while supporting trainees throughout their qualification and development journey.

You'll work closely with trainees, managers and colleagues across the business to understand development needs and deliver practical, engaging learning that helps people perform and grow.

The role is broadly split across:

• Learning Programme Design and Delivery (40%)

• Early Careers (40%)

• Wider Talent & Development Projects (20%)

The balance will naturally shift throughout the year, but success in this role will be measured across all three areas.

We also want to be clear from the outset that this role requires a minimum of three days a week in the office and you will be travelling between both of our offices in London.

How You’ll Make a Difference

In this role, you will:

You'll play a key role in helping our people build the skills they need to succeed, from supporting trainees through their qualification journey to designing and delivering learning that develops capability across the firm.

We're looking for someone who is confident designing and facilitating training, but who also wants to broaden their experience. This role offers the opportunity to get involved in programme design, learner journeys, career development, talent initiatives and leadership development.

You'll need to be comfortable working at pace and moving between different priorities. One day you might be supporting a trainee, facilitating a workshop or reviewing feedback, and the next you could be improving our Bootcamp programme, developing a new skills initiative or contributing to a leadership development programme.

This role is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys both delivery and development and wants to make a tangible impact in the learning they deliver.

Build capability across the firm

• Assist with the development of our core skills framework, helping colleagues understand the skills and behaviours that drive success at BKL and how they can build them in their role.

• Support the coordination and delivery of learning programmes that help our people build the skills they need to succeed.

• Create engaging learning experiences in areas such as communication, collaboration, client experience, commercial awareness, professional judgement and the growing impact of technology and AI.

• Work with managers and People & Culture colleagues to identify development needs and turn them into practical learning solutions.

• Use feedback, data and business insight to evaluate and continuously improve learning programmes.

Shape the Early Careers experience

• Manage our Early Careers programme, helping to create a positive and well-supported experience from onboarding through to qualification.

• Be the main point of contact for trainees, providing guidance and support throughout their qualification and development journey.

• Manage qualification processes, exam administration and key trainee milestones, ensuring trainees have the information and support they need to succeed.

• Help trainees develop not only technical knowledge, but also the skills, behaviours and professional confidence needed for long-term success.

Contribute to wider talent priorities

• Contribute to Talent & Development projects that support performance, career development, talent and future skills.

• Play an active role in developing and improving programmes such as Trainee Bootcamp, Assessment Centres, Management Academy and the Aspiring Managers Programme.

• Bring fresh ideas, challenge existing approaches and help us continually improve how we attract, develop and retain our people.

• Use data and insight to help shape decisions and improve the impact of our Talent & Development activities.

You’ll Be Ideal for This Role If You Have:

Experience

• Experience working in Learning & Development, including designing and delivering workplace learning.

• Experience managing or taking significant responsibility for an Early Careers, trainee, apprentice or graduate programme.

• Experience coordinating programmes involving multiple stakeholders, deadlines and delivery activities.

• Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to work with managers and stakeholders to identify development needs and find practical solutions.

• Strong organisational and programme management skills, with excellent attention to detail.

• The ability to work independently, take ownership and manage competing priorities.

Qualifications

• A qualification in Learning & Development, Organisational Psychology, Human Resources (with a learning focus), Education or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.

Desirable

• Experience working in professional services, accountancy, legal or another regulated environment.

• Experience designing learning journeys and programmes, not just delivering training.

• Knowledge of qualifications such as ACA, ACCA, CTA or AAT.

• Experience using a Learning Management System (LMS).

• Experience creating digital learning content using Articulate 360, Rise or similar tools.

• Experience supporting onboarding programmes, assessment centres or structured development pathways.

• An interest in how technology and AI are changing workplace learning and skills development.

We know you have a lot to offer, which is why we give you the freedom to thrive, no matter who you are or what your background is.

Take Your Next Step - The recruitment journey

We believe candidates should know what to expect from the process, so we've outlined our recruitment stages below.

Step 1: Application Review

All applications are reviewed by a member of our Talent Acquisition team. If your experience meets the minimum requirements for the role, you'll progress to the next stage.

Step 2: Initial Introduction Call

You'll have an informal conversation with a member of the Talent Acquisition team. We'll discuss your experience, what you're looking for in your next role and answer any questions you may have about BKL or the position.

Step 3: First Interview

This will be a technical interview with the hiring manager. We'll explore your experience in Learning & Development, programme design, facilitation and your involvement in Early Careers programmes. We'll also discuss how you've approached learning challenges in previous roles.

Step 4: Second Interview

You'll meet with one of our People & Culture Managers. This stage focuses on how you work, how you build relationships and how you approach challenges. You'll also be given a practical scenario to discuss and talk us through how you would approach it.

Step 5: Final Interview & Presentation

As part of the final stage, you'll prepare and deliver a short 15-minute presentation to members of the People & Culture team. This is also an opportunity for you to meet the wider team and get a feel for who you'd be working with.

Our Values

At BKL, we live by five core values:

• Think Big – Be curious, brave, and open to new ideas.

• In It Together – Collaborate, care, and build an inclusive culture.

• Take Pride – Strive for excellence and believe in your impact.

• Do the Right Thing – Act with integrity, honesty, and fairness.

• Enjoy It – Bring your whole self to work and have fun doing it.

Working With Us: Your Benefits, Wellbeing & Development

At BKL, we’re committed to creating a people-first workplace where everyone can thrive. We offer a carefully curated benefits package, wellbeing support, and meaningful development opportunities that empower you to grow your career.

Snapshot of our Benefits Package

We’ve designed a flexible, sustainable set of benefits to support your life at work and beyond:

• Private Medical Insurance (PMI) – including mental health cover, hospital treatment & 24/7 GP access

• Health Cash Plans – covering everyday costs like dental, optical & physiotherapy and an Employee Assistance Programme

• Pension scheme – helping you save for retirement in a tax-efficient way

• Group Life Assurance – peace of mind with financial protection for your loved ones

• Cashback & savings portal – discounts across hundreds of high-street and online retailers

• Cycle to Work Scheme – spread the cost of a new bike and accessories tax-free

• Electric Vehicle Scheme – sustainable transportation options that include roadside support and servicing

• Free Mortgage Advice – expert guidance for your home-buying journey

• Season Ticket Loan – support with travel expenses

• Enhanced Family Leave – generous leave policies for family-related needs

• Holiday Entitlement – generous entitlement which increases with promotion

Development & Growth

We don’t just offer jobs, we support careers:

• Clear development pathways and progression frameworks

• Professional qualifications support – including study time and funding

• Internal mentoring, coaching, and buddying schemes

• Leadership development programmes to help you grow with us

• Regular check-ins and performance conversations – driven by your goals, not just metrics

Compliance & Equal Opportunities

In addition to the responsibilities listed above, you will be required to undertake GDPR training in order to fully understand the regulations and ensure all work is carried out in a compliant manner.

As part of any recruitment process, BKL collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants. BKL is committed to being transparent about how it collects and uses that data and to meeting its data protection obligations.

BKL is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified candidates eligible to work in the UK.

We know you have a lot to offer, which is why we want to give you the freedom to thrive no matter who you are or what your background is. You will have every opportunity to use your creativity in how you approach your work and the support to innovate.

Inclusion, diversity, and talent development are a fundamental aspect of who we are, and we welcome applications from candidates who share and champion these values. You will play an integral part in helping to make BKL a great place to work with a sense of belonging for everyone.

High challenge, high support
If you enjoy problem-solving and a fast-changing environment, you will thrive in this role.

As in all BKL roles, you will be able to take a flexible approach: balancing independent work with teamwork, and remote working with time in the office with colleagues.

You can get an insight into life at BKL here .

We’re proud to be one of the few Certified B Corporations in the accountancy sector. In joining us, you’ll become part of a business that’s committed to balancing profit and purpose.

Take your next step
If this sounds like the role for you, we’d be delighted to discuss the career you could build at BKL.

By applying, you consent to the processing of your personal data for recruitment purposes, in line with UK GDPR. Your information will be used securely, only for recruitment, and won’t be shared without your consent. For details, see our Privacy Policy - BKL

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