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Sunderland

Learning Partner - NorthNHS

Sunderland, SR5 2TZ Permanent
Posted 24 September 2026 Closing date 8 October 2026
St Peters Rail Station (1.4 miles, direct) Pallion (Tyne and Wear Metro Station) (0.4 miles, direct) Galleries Bus Station (4.8 miles, direct)

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced learning colleague to join our evolving Learning and Organisational Development team and help shape how we develop our people and support our services.

Main duties of the job

Proactively partner with services and managers to understand capability needs, identify emerging issues and develop practical learning plans. Design and deliver engaging learning experiences. Work alongside managers to help them develop their teams using the 70:20:10 learning approach. Build leadership confidence through coaching, workshops and development programmes. Monitor statutory and mandatory learning compliance and support services to maintain high standards. Facilitate team development, organisational change and service improvement initiatives. Work collaboratively with People Partners and colleagues across the organisation to deliver strategic learning priorities. Evaluate the impact of learning and use insight to continuously improve what we do.

Job description

Learning Partner - North Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week Salary: £39,357 - £43,791 per annum Location: Hybrid, with home working and regular travel to MHM services across the North East, North West, South Yorkshire and Midlands, plus monthly travel to our central office in Sunderland. About the role We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced learning colleague to join our evolving Learning and Organisational Development team and help shape how we develop our people and support our services. Taking a proactive partnering approach, you'll work closely with operational leaders, managers and the wider People team to understand priorities, anticipate development needs and build capable, confident teams through coaching, practical learning, leadership development and organisational development. You'll spend time alongside services and managers, gaining a strong understanding of workforce challenges and designing learning and development solutions that make a meaningful difference to colleagues, services and the people we support. You'll champion the 70:20:10 learning model, embedding development through experience, collaboration and formal learning rather than relying solely on classroom-based training. You'll build trusted relationships with Heads of Service and managers, stay connected to operational priorities, strengthen leadership capability, support statutory and mandatory learning compliance and tailor development to individual and service needs. You'll also contribute to our corporate and growing commercial learning offer, representing MHM professionally with external organisations and helping to build our reputation for high-quality learning and development. What you'll be doing You'll:

  • Proactively partner with services and managers to understand capability needs, identify emerging issues and develop practical learning plans.
  • Design and deliver engaging learning experiences.
  • Work alongside managers to help them develop their teams using the 70:20:10 learning approach.
  • Build leadership confidence through coaching, workshops and development programmes.
  • Monitor statutory and mandatory learning compliance and support services to maintain high standards.
  • Facilitate team development, organisational change and service improvement initiatives.
  • Work collaboratively with People Partners and colleagues across the organisation to deliver strategic learning priorities.
  • Evaluate the impact of learning and use insight to continuously improve what we do.

About you You'll be proactive and comfortable working directly with services and managers, building trusted relationships and taking the initiative to understand what teams need to succeed. You'll be equally confident facilitating a workshop, coaching a manager or helping a leadership team address a workforce challenge. You'll also be able to adapt your approach for different audiences and represent MHM professionally when delivering to external clients. You'll bring:

  • Experience working in a Learning and Development or Organisational Development role within an operational environment. Experience in health, social care or the charity sector would be welcomed but is not essential.
  • Experience designing and delivering engaging learning or workforce development solutions.
  • Direct experience of working with managers and leaders to identify development needs and provide practical learning solutions, coaching or guidance.
  • Excellent facilitation, communication and relationship-building skills.
  • Knowledge of blended and workplace learning approaches, including how learning can be embedded through experience and collaboration.
  • Confidence using learning data and compliance information to identify trends, priorities and opportunities for improvement.
  • The ability to influence, coach and build credibility with leaders at all levels.
  • A proactive, collaborative and solutions-focused approach.
  • The flexibility to travel regularly across the regional service portfolio, including occasional overnight stays, and to support delivery across different shifts, including evenings when required. Travel can be planned with autonomy around service priorities, but it is an essential and significant part of the role.
  • Experience of organisational development, leadership development, change programmes or the 70:20:10 learning model would be advantageous.

Due to the geographical area covered by this role, some of our services and locations across the North are not fully accessible by public transport. The successful candidate will therefore need to be able to travel independently to different service locations as required. Access to a vehicle and a valid driving licence would be desirable for this role. Why Join Us? Mental Health Matters (MHM) is a national charity delivering innovative, life-changing mental health support for individuals and communities across the UK. Through our diverse range of services, we help people improve their mental wellbeing, overcome barriers and lead fulfilling lives. Everything we do is people focused. Whether supporting those who access our services or investing in the wellbeing and development of our colleagues, people are at the heart of MHM. Our workforce is the driving force behind our success, and we are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive and values-led environment where talented individuals can thrive and make a meaningful difference. By joining MHM, you'll become part of a compassionate and ambitious organisation that is committed to improving mental health, promoting recovery and creating positive change in communities across the country. What we offer you

  • Competitive salaries, with an annual pay review process
  • 25 days Annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus bank holidays
  • Enhanced Occupational Sick pay
  • Access to our workplace pension scheme
  • Family friendly and flexible working arrangements to support a good work life balance
  • Access to our Wellbeing Offer - including EAP, Virtual GP service and wellbeing resources
  • Life Assurance and Free Will writing service
  • Blue Light Card and Charity Workers discounts
  • Access to Tickets for Good
  • Employee recognition and celebration schemes
  • A tailored induction programme, bespoke Personal Development and Career Pathways to support you in your role and your career aspirations

How to Apply At Mental Health Matters, we are committed to safer recruitment and ensuring that we appoint people who share our values and are dedicated to making a positive difference. If you are interested in this opportunity, please complete our online application form. As part of your application, you will be asked to answer a number of questions to demonstrate how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the criteria outlined in the person specification. We encourage you to provide examples that highlight your suitability for the role. For further information about our recruitment and selection processes, please refer to our Candidate Guide. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We believe everyone should have access to fair and accessible opportunities, and we are committed to ensuring our recruitment processes are welcoming and inclusive for all. During the application process, we may ask for some personal information to help us understand how we can make our recruitment practices as fair and accessible as possible. Any information you provide will be treated confidentially and used solely for this purpose. We value the unique experiences, perspectives and contributions that diversity brings and are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels respected, supported and able to be themselves.

About us

Mental Health Matters (MHM) is a national charity delivering innovative, life-changing mental health support for individuals and communities across the UK. Through our diverse range of services, we help people improve their mental wellbeing, overcome barriers and lead fulfilling lives. Everything we do is people focused. Whether supporting those who access our services or investing in the wellbeing and development of our colleagues, people are at the heart of MHM. Our workforce is the driving force behind our success, and we are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive and values-led environment where talented individuals can thrive and make a meaningful difference. By joining MHM, you'll become part of a compassionate and ambitious organisation that is committed to improving mental health, promoting recovery and creating positive change in communities across the country.

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