Head of Talent Development

About the role

Independent Food Company is expanding its portfolio of hospitality concepts and needs a strategic leader to shape its learning and capability agenda. As Head of Talent Development you will design, implement and scale the organization’s learning ecosystem, ensuring every employee—from frontline staff to senior leaders—has the skills to deliver exceptional customer experiences and drive business growth.

Key responsibilities

• Define and execute a learning and development strategy aligned with corporate objectives and brand expansion plans.
• Build and manage a Retail Academy that serves as the central hub for training, certification, and career pathways across multiple brands.
• Create onboarding, induction and operational training programs for sales associates, baristas, kitchen crews, supervisors, store managers and area managers.
• Design leadership development frameworks for emerging leaders, first‑time managers, mid‑level managers and senior executives.
• Partner with operations and talent management to align training with real‑world store execution and succession planning.
• Establish annual learning priorities based on performance gaps, growth targets and succession needs.

Required profile

• Proven experience leading learning and development functions in a multi‑brand, fast‑growing hospitality or retail environment.
• Track record of building scalable training academies or similar capability engines.
• Strong understanding of leadership development, succession planning and competency mapping.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence senior leadership.

Required skills