Early Years Strategic L&D Manager

YMCA Fairthorne Group is more than a place to visit. It is a place where children grow in confidence, schools learn through adventure, families connect and communities come together.

The YMCA Fairthorne Group is a registered charity providing a range of services to children and families across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Joining YMCA Fairthorne Group offers the opportunity to contribute to meaningful social impact while working collaboratively with dedicated colleagues.

YMCA Fairthorne Group is seeking an experienced and visionary Early Years Strategic Learning & Development Manager to lead the development of the YMCAFG Early Years Academy, creating a recognised centre of excellence for early childhood education, workforce development, and research-informed practice.

This is a strategic leadership role focused on shaping and overseeing learning and development across the organisation. Working closely with the People Team and specialist partners, you will drive innovation, build strong external relationships, and ensure our workforce development offer reflects the highest standards of early years practice.

This is not a training delivery role. Instead, you will provide leadership, quality assurance, and strategic direction while commissioning and coordinating expertise from internal and external specialists.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Academy Development

• Lead the vision, strategy and development of the YMCAFG Early Years Academy.
• Translate organisational priorities and emerging research into innovative workforce development programmes.
• Drive continuous improvement and position the Academy as a recognised centre of excellence in early years learning.
• Develop systems and frameworks that support high-quality professional development and career progression.

Partnerships and Sector Engagement

• Build and maintain strong partnerships with local authorities, health services, universities, professional bodies and specialist SEND providers.
• Lead collaborative projects, research initiatives and innovation programmes.
• Represent YMCA Fairthorne Group at local, regional and national forums.
• Identify opportunities for external funding and partnership development.

Learning and Development Oversight

• Oversee the design, commissioning and coordination of learning and development programmes.
• Ensure all CPD, specialist training and leadership development is aligned to organisational priorities and evidence-based practice.
• Develop and maintain career pathways, induction frameworks and apprenticeship programmes.
• Implement systems to measure the impact and effectiveness of workforce development.

Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement

• Lead quality assurance processes to ensure alignment with EYFS, Ofsted requirements and sector best practice.
• Monitor staff development, capability and progression through effective evaluation and data analysis.
• Oversee audits, performance reviews and continuous improvement cycles.
• Embed a culture of reflective practice and professional excellence.

Operational Leadership

• Manage the annual CPD calendar and learning and development roadmap.
• Oversee budgets relating to training, consultancy, partnerships and Academy development.
• Ensure safeguarding, data protection and compliance standards are maintained.
• Support the development of resources, systems and infrastructure required to deliver the Academy's objectives.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Provide strategic leadership to trainers, consultants, subject specialists and partner organisations.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, professional curiosity and continuous learning.
• Contribute to supervision and performance frameworks linked to development priorities.
• Lead, support and develop volunteers within the department, ensuring they contribute effectively to achieving the charity's mission.

About You

You will be a strategic and collaborative leader with a passion for developing people and improving outcomes for children. You will have the ability to influence others, build strong partnerships and translate vision into action.

Essential

• Degree-level qualification in Early Childhood Studies, Education, Leadership, Learning and Development, or a related field.
• Significant senior leadership experience within early years, education or workforce development.
• Proven experience developing and managing multi-agency partnerships.
• Strong knowledge of EYFS, child development, safeguarding and sector standards.
• Experience overseeing organisational learning and development programmes or quality assurance systems.
• Ability to analyse data and use insights to inform strategic decision-making.
• Experience managing complex projects and multiple stakeholders.

Desirable

• Experience establishing a new service, learning function or centre of excellence.
• Knowledge of Reggio Emilia, nature pedagogy or other specialist approaches to early years practice.
• Experience leading SEND or inclusion strategies.
• Experience managing budgets and commissioning external providers.

Additional Information

The successful applicant will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure through the Disclosure and Barring Service.

YMCA Fairthorne Group is an equal opportunities charity committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. A copy of our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy is available on request.

Join Us

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of workforce development and early years practice within a values-driven organisation making a lasting difference to children, families and communities. If you are passionate about developing people and creating excellence in early years, we would love to hear from you.