Head: Learning Design and implementation at Discovery Limited

Key purpose

• The purpose of the Head: Learning Design and Implementation is to oversee the planning, development, and continuous enhancement of high-quality instructional content within the Discovery Institute of Training. The role ensures that learning solutions are pedagogically sound, aligned to business and departmental strategy, and meet quality standards in support of DIT’s vision, mission, and strategic objectives.

Key outputs

Instructional Design Leadership & Strategy

• Translate DIT and Sales & Distribution strategy into clear instructional design priorities and roadmaps.
• Lead the planning and execution of annual objectives for the Instructional Design team.
• Embed best‑practice instructional design methodologies (e.g. 6Ds, adult learning principles, learning science) across all learning solutions.
• Identify opportunities to improve learner experience, effectiveness, and scalability of training solutions.

Design Quality & Governance

• Accountable for the quality assurance, review and sign‑off of all instructional design outputs.
• Ensure learning solutions meet regulatory, compliance, DIT, and Discovery brand standards.
• Establish and maintain instructional design frameworks, templates, and governance processes.
• Drive continuous improvement through evaluation of learning effectiveness and outcomes.

Stakeholder Partnership

• Act as a trusted learning partner to senior stakeholders across Sales, Distribution, HR, Legal, Marketing and Operations.
• Lead learning needs analysis for complex or high‑impact initiatives.
• Manage expectations, scope, priorities, and delivery timelines collaboratively with business stakeholders.

People Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead, coach and develop the Instructional Design team, building a strong pipeline of senior instructional design capability.
• Set clear performance objectives, provide ongoing feedback, and manage performance in line with Discovery values.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.

 Operational & Financial Management

• Plan and manage the Instructional Design budget, ensuring effective cost control and value delivery.
• Oversee portfolio‑level planning, prioritisation, and resourcing of instructional design initiatives.
• Ensure disciplined execution across multiple concurrent projects.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Stay current with developments in instructional design, learning technologies, financial services, and regulation.
• Champion data‑informed design decisions and continuous evaluation of learning solutions.
• Promote appropriate use of approved AI and digital tools to improve efficiency and quality of design processes.

Key Relationships

Internal

• DIT Training Managers and Trainers
• DIT Coordination Managers and Coordinators
• Sales and Distribution leadership and stakeholders
• Legal, Marketing, HR, Recruitment, Operations teams
• Other Learning and Training teams across Discovery

External

• Financial Planning Institute (FPI)
• External training partners and providers (as required)
• Regulatory and professional training bodies

Required Experience & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• ETDP / ODETDP or equivalent learning qualification (or extensive relevant experience).
• Minimum 5–7 years’ experience in Instructional Design or Learning & Development roles.
• Proven people leadership experience within a professional or specialist environment.
• Strong experience in managing complex learning initiatives or portfolios.

Advantageous:

• CFP or financial services‑related qualification.
• Experience within financial services, banking, insurance or regulated environments.
• Exposure to adviser training, sales enablement or regulatory learning.
• Project management qualification or equivalent experience.

Core Competencies

• Strategic & Systems Thinking – Anticipates complexity, connects learning to business outcomes.
• Execution Excellence – Delivers results through disciplined planning and follow through.
• Stakeholder Influence – Builds trust, challenges constructively, and aligns diverse stakeholders.
• People Leadership – Coaches, develops and inspires specialist teams.
• Quality & Detail Orientation – Maintains high standards without losing the strategic view.
• Adaptability & Change Leadership – Navigates ambiguity and evolving priorities confidently.
• Learning Expertise – Deep understanding of adult learning, instructional design, and evaluation.

Personal Attributes

• High ownership and accountability.
• Intellectually curious and improvement‑focused.
• Commercially and strategically aware.
• Resilient, delivery‑driven and calm under pressure.
• Comfortable working at both strategic and hands‑on levels.