OSB Group is currently on a Transformation journey and at the heart of this, is the implementation of the OSB Group’s Learning & Skill Strategy.

OSB Group has embarked on significant technology Modernisation programme, which gives the organisation an exciting opportunity to transform its people eco-system. Modernisation will deliver significant automation opportunities and seamless end to end customer and colleague experiences. The programme is delivering at pace, using agile practices giving the entire organisation an opportunity to optimise their ways of working and approach to their own function’s skills to adapt for a modernised organisation.

As Group Head of Skills, you hold a critical role to influence and shape OSB’s journey to becoming a Skills Based Organisation. You will have the opportunity to evolve the Skills team to deliver an industry leading learning approach to the organisation.

Please note, this role can be based in either the Wolverhampton or Chatham office.

The OSB Group is a FTSE 250 specialist mortgage lender, primarily focused on carefully selected segments of the mortgage market.

Our specialist lending is supported by our Kent Reliance and Charter Savings Bank retail savings franchises. Diversification of funding is provided by sophisticated securitisation platforms. OSB’s unique cost-efficient operating model is supported by our wholly-owned subsidiary OSBIndia.

Alongside passion for our products and customers, we're passionate about our people and want to continue building a collaborative and engaging environment.  Being dedicated to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, we encourage differences and recognise that individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences can bring valuable insights and enhance the way we work.  This is supported by our Diversity, Community and Environment Employee Engagement Networks and our commitment to the Women in Finance Charter and Women in Leadership Programme. 

As Group Head of Skills, you will serve as a strategic partner to business functions in how to apply learning and development solutions to business needs.

You will lead a team who will design and implement learning programmes that build employee capabilities in alignment with business outcomes, positioning them to succeed in their current jobs and develop skills to sustainably serve our future growth.

This truly is a brilliant opportunity that will allow you to have influence and impact across the company. You will be required to evolve the team from its current practices and responsibilities to those required for the team to enabling an enduring Skills Based Organisation. You will lead the learning and development team in the UK and work collaboratively with the Head of Learning India to ensure there is a single Group wide approach to learning. The role holder will hold responsibility for the Group’s learning and budgets, leading on supplier engagement of learning vendors.

Your responsibilities will also include…

• Leading OSB Group’s enterprise learning strategy supporting OSB Group to become a Skills Based Organisation
• Leading, inspiring and line managing the Skills team to high performance, providing coaching, feedback and supporting their upskilling
• Ensuring OSB Group is clear on its internal capability requirements and interlock on solutions to bridge current and future skills gaps
• Creating, embedding and delivering curated learning pathways targeted towards specific business functions, talent populations or skills requirements

Staying updated on industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies within learning, to aid the continuous enhancement of the Group’s people related practices

We offer a competitive base salary dependent on experience and benefits package including:

• £7,500 car allowance
• Discretionary annual bonus opportunity of up to 40%
• Annual LTIP opportunity of up to 40%
• Contributory pension (8% employer 5% employee)
• Life Assurance (4x salary) plus Group Income Protection
• Access to Private Medical Insurance and Medical Cash Plan
• Maternity & Adoption Leave – Occupational Maternity/Adoption Pay provided at 100% of salary for the first 26 weeks.
• Paternity Leave – 8 weeks of paid leave to be taken within 12 months of birth or adoption.
• Additional benefits such as Hybrid working, Cycle Purchase scheme, Technology Purchase scheme, Season Ticket Loan, Holiday purchase / sell schemes, Employee Perk Portals, Payroll giving and Save as you Earn scheme

We are looking for talented individuals who have the experience and knowledge set out below:

• Previous experience building a learning and development strategy
• Previous experience leading high performing teams across multiple locations
• Previous experience of leading and participating in the UK’s learning practitioner community, evidenced though panel / keynote participation, industry awards, or hosting industry events

• Robust knowledge industry tools, systems and methods to sustain a skills-based organisation
• Exceptional communication skills are essential (verbal and written), with the ability to effectively convey complex concepts to diverse audiences

We also believe that your career and how you progress is as unique as your individual personality. We continually support our people so they can become the best version of themselves.

If this sounds like you, please apply now! For internal applications please visit the internal careers page to apply.

Alternatively, if you wish to have an informal and confidential chat please get in touch. Contact details can be found on our careers page.

If shortlisted from your initial application we operate a personalised recruitment process. Interviews are a two way street, we aim for them to be relevant and conversational to get the best out of you!

OSB Group are dedicated to diversity in the workplace and committed to treating all our employees and job applicants equally.  We embrace equal opportunities and are opposed to discrimination on any grounds.

As part of our public commitment to the Women in Finance Charter, we have introduced our own initiatives to attract, develop and advance senior women in our sector. We don’t stop there though, we have broadened our approach to encourage diversity and inclusion at all levels and in all roles. Our leadership and Executive Committee are right behind us, to the extent that our Diversity Champions sit at Board level and on a monthly basis receive updates on our progress. 

Whilst we are an organisation that values face-to-face interaction to build and nourish our culture, we also acknowledge that people are not just productive in an office and tied to the 9 to 5.  Flexible-working opportunities are important for establishing a healthy work-life balance so if you see a role of interest we are happy to be asked about flexibility and explore together if we can make it work.

All applicants must have rights to work in the UK and be willing to undertake the relevant pre-employment screening checks should your application be successful.