Regional Retail Training Manager

To work alongside the core Global Retail Academy Program Managers, Retail Academy Project Manager and regional stakeholders to align the technical, product and commercial training strategy with the individual needs of the region. To support the business in the development of a motivational cross business training strategy for the Lotus brand.

As a fast-expanding brand it is key that Lotus delivers a training program which is aligned globally and supports the retail network, external suppliers and business subsidiaries to deliver the challenging business KPIs.

The purpose of the Regional Retail Training Manager role is to support the delivery of the Lotus Retail Academy strategy, through the design and development of targeted and regionalised, effective blended learning for our retail network and external suppliers which meets the individual needs of each market or sector.

The post holder will work in partnership with our internal program managers, regional SMEs and Retail Academy Project Manager to understand specific gaps and learning needs for the region that can be addressed by blended learning and deliver these across multiple languages. This will include the regionalization of the core content to ensure it is fit for purpose in market.

The post holder will be comfortable with the full end-to-end process and responsible and work closely with the Head of Retail Academy to make this content available and accessible to the relevant customers in a timely way.

Key responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the Global Training Project Manager and Heads of Programs plus Regional SMEs to ensure all requirements for training are met including a successful deployment in market.
• Collaborate with the Global Training Project Manager and Heads of Programs plus Regional SMEs and external suppliers to ensure all requirements for training are met including a successful deployment in market. This includes the coordination and management of training participation.
• Where there is a regional training need which sits outside of the core program strategy, work with the Global Training Project Manager to ascertain ROI, regional budget and delivery timelines.
• Feed into the annual training strategy to ensure Lotus stays at the forefront globally.
• Feed into digital learning solutions, drawing on recognized good practice and an understanding of how people learn in each regional market.
• Feed into the core programs to ensure the development of highly engaging digital learning and interactive learning solutions that address identified gaps with the regional market.
• Support the design of learning resources and materials that reflect an understanding of the diversity of needs and preferences.
• Support the Program Managers, Regional Teams and Digital Designers to adapt core content for the regional market. 
• Work with the Program Managers and the Retail Academy Project Manager to roll out programs in a timely manner in market, ensuring the roll out meets the needs of the region.
• Work with the Regional Training Administrator to ensure that local training is realised to its full potential by ensuring full market participation.
• Work with the Core Learning Platform team and the Global Training Project
• Manager to ensure that focus is placed on regionalized engagement, attendance, and platform interaction.
• Where applicable, manage the regional training center.
• Where in market experiential training takes place, work with Program Managers,
• Regional SMEs and 3rd party agencies to ensure that the program meets the needs of both the regional and global training needs.

Key stakeholders:

• You will work with several internal customers and SME’s spanning a broad range of departments (including but not limited to technical, product, engineering, aftersales) to design content that meets the needs of our diverse retail network.
• This role requires the ability to use SME’s in market effectively to establish key learning objectives and ensure these are successfully addressed via the content and delivery method.

Knowledge, skills and experience:

• Experience in creating, developing and managing learning and development programs.
• Experience of working with a learning management system, understanding the typical issues and constraints.
• Understanding of varied learning styles.
• Knowledge of assessment and evaluation methods.
• Project management experience.
• Excellent communicator, speaking and writing.
• Proven ability to articulate complex problems, recommend and execute on solutions.
• Degree level qualification.
• Excellent Motor Industry and car retailing experience.
• Self-motivated and fast paced.
• Excellent presentation skills.
• Experience of running training programs ideally within an OEM setting - automotive industry experience.You are relentless in driving customer learning and satisfaction.
• You are an inquisitive, critical thinker who is always looking for how things can work better.
• You are an amazing communicator and effective influencer.
• You are a collaborator and willing partner with other departments to break down silos and drive enterprise change and value.
• You are a self-starter. You like to understand the expected outcome, get the context, and then work to get it done.
• You are skilled at knowing when to go deep technically with technical teams to gain context and provide appropriate support to meet strategic goals.
• You are a natural project manager - You keep all the moving pieces organized and progressing at the appropriate pace.

Other factors: 

• There will be the need for regional Travel to ensure the key relationships are built within the global Lotus network.