Talent Development & Engagement Manager

Join our pre-opening team for SeaWorld Abu Dhabi in the role of Talent Engagement and Development Manager. In this role you are responsible for ensuring a smooth and efficient operation relating to all TD&E activities in SeaWorld Abu Dhabi aligned with Farah (Shared Services and all facilities).

You will cover two main areas:

1. Leading the team to design and deliver learning initiatives that add value to the business, ultimately enhancing the guest experience through excellent service delivery by colleagues. The learning should develop skills aligned with Farah’s vision, values and service behaviours

2. Leading the team to design and deliver engagement activations that motivate colleagues and provide opportunities for reward and recognition; also leading internal communication for ‘Farah All’ audience

Your job scope will include:

• Create the TD&E strategy, ensuring it aligns with the Farah and HR Strategy, prioritizing activities that address business needs and futureproof the TD&E offering as Farah grows
• Lead the team, ensuring that contributions are balanced across learning and engagement throughout all facilities
• Create a calendar of events that offer participation opportunities for all Farah colleagues – this should include engagement events that are company-wide and facility-specific, plus learning sessions that are aligned with Farah’s operational needs and take into account the cyclical nature of each facility
• Develop effective change management strategies for projects such as technology (e.g. LMS) and the introduction of new initiatives (e.g. Immersive learning experiences)
• Build the capability of the team to ensure they are designing and delivering first-class learning initiatives that are aligned to each of the Leisure Facility’s needs, and that meet Shared Service colleagues’ needs
• Represent TD&E at Leisure Facility and Shared Services management meetings and forums to provide subject matter expertise on learning solutions
• Liaise with stakeholders across Farah with a specific focus on GMs & DGMs of the facilities to ensure alignment of all reward and recognition activities
• Ensure internal communication is conducted through appropriate channels and in a timely fashion to keep all relevant parties up to date
• Identify and address critical gaps in learning and engagement processes, systems, tools, methodologies, and principles; drive the design and implementation of tools to improve the way we manage learning and engagement activities
• Oversee the preparation of reports and evaluation of learning, within agreed time and cost measures, to enable reviewers to assess the effectiveness of learning interventions provided, with observations and recommendations that shape future offerings
• Ensure accurate and adequate TD&E data/metrics are available and used to guide decision making in line with company strategy
• Manage the budget on a monthly basis, aiming for cost optimization and effective use of Farah’s resources
• Manage training rooms in all locations, ensuring equipment & resources meet business requirements
• Elicit feedback regarding the effectiveness of activities provided to the business through the TD&E Support Managers and propose changes accordingly
• Provide insights to management following learning interventions to support or propose changes in direction based on feedback received from participants
• Support larger HR initiatives by ensuring continuity and successful delivery of TD&E Services and encouraging collaboration opportunities across HR teams

To be considered for this role you will need:

Essential:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, organizational development or a related degree
• CIPD, ATD or equivalent in HRM or Learning & Development
• Minimum 10 years in HR and/or Training Department
• Ability to coordinate and manage multiple, cross-functional projects with competing demands and numerous stakeholders, whilst prioritizing the needs of the business
• Ability to exercise considerable judgment in building relationships across all organizational levels and functions
• Ability to manage ambiguity, risk, and changing direction of projects and strategies
• Ability to work effectively in high-pressure situations that require sound decision making
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, and management skills and high professional standards for customer service and work quality
• Excellent problem-solving, critical thinking and analytical skills
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills
• Experience with relevant HR systems, applications and tools
• Significant business and financial acumen
• Superior project management skills, particularly with respect to organisation, prioritisation, and time management

Desirable:

• BPS Level A and B Psychometric testing and interpretation (or equivalent)
• Coaching certification and membership of a professional coaching organisation
• 4–5 years of supervisory and project management experience
• Experience in hospitality, tourism and theme parks.
• Experience in metrics reporting
• Experience in setting strategy