Learning & Talent Development Lead

We are Cunningham. Founded in 2006, Cunningham is one of the UK's and Europe's leading construction companies. With extensive operations across multiple markets, we have built a strong reputation for innovation, quality, and safety, delivering successful projects through a proactive, collaborative approach.

Our expertise spans a diverse range of sectors, including Mission Critical & Life Sciences, Education, Healthcare, Fit Out, Residential, and Civils & Structural projects.

Today, Cunningham employs more than 280 professionals across offices in Ireland, Germany, and the UK. Working in partnership with our clients, we unlock the full potential of every project, transforming ambitious visions into successful outcomes while creating exciting opportunities for our people.

At Cunningham you will be given the opportunity to excel in your career. Our people set us apart, and that’s why we invest in your journey from day one. Your expertise, ambition, and commitment will be recognised and rewarded as you build a successful career with us.

The Learning & Talent Development Lead is responsible for designing, delivering, and evaluating the Company’s learning, development, and early careers strategies, programmes and plans. The role has a significant focus on early careers pathways, including apprentices, Higher Level Apprentices, placement students, and graduates, to ensure a strong and sustainable talent pipeline that supports long-term workforce planning and succession needs.

The postholder will lead initiatives that enhance employee capability, engagement, and retention, while ensuring full compliance with legal, regulatory, and accreditation requirements. They will provide monthly KPI reporting to Directors to demonstrate programme impact, progress, and risks.

Department: People Team

Reporting to: People & Culture Manager

Working Hours: Full time permanent position, 40 hours per week, Monday to Thursday 8/8.30am – 5/5.30pm and Fridays 8/8.30am to 2.30/3pm.

• Lead the design and delivery of the Company’s Learning & Talent Development strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives and future workforce needs.
• Support the People & Culture Manager and Head of People in delivering the wider People strategy, taking ownership of projects relating to learning, development, and early careers.
• Conduct ongoing Training Needs Analysis across all departments to identify skills gaps and development priorities.
• Ensure all learning solutions, internal or external, are aligned to business needs and deliver measurable outcomes.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive Training & Skills Matrix that reflects legislative requirements, industry standards, and evolving business needs.
• Partner with managers and industry bodies (e.g., Engineers Ireland, CIOB, RICS) to design structured learning pathways for technical and behavioural skills.
• Prepare and deliver a Skills for Growth application and manage training courses and compliance paperwork in relation to this project

• Lead the end‑to‑end management of all early careers programmes, including apprenticeships, HLAs, placements, and graduate pathways.
• Build strong relationships with academic institutions to ensure high‑quality, compliant, and future‑focused programmes.
• Monitor student progress through regular meetings with apprentices, mentors, and academic partners and directors escalating concerns where necessary.
• Attend sectoral events, briefings, and forums to ensure the Company remains compliant and competitive in early careers provision.
• Develop and deliver initiatives that strengthen the Company’s succession planning and internal talent pipeline.
• Provide monthly KPI dashboards to Directors, highlighting progress, risks, and outcomes across all early careers cohorts.

• Coordinate and schedule training programmes that build practical skills and support career development
• Provide coaching and support to managers to enhance leadership capability and people‑management skills.
• Maintain a Preferred Supplier List of training providers, ensuring value for…