Learning & Development Manager – Luxury Hotel

About the role

An exceptional luxury hotel in Cape Town is looking for an experienced and energetic Learning & Development Manager to join its People & Culture team. This hands‑on, operational role is focused on developing people, strengthening service standards and creating meaningful learning experiences.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinate and deliver operational training across all hotel departments.
• Lead the Hotel Training Committee and support departmental trainers.
• Coach, guide and mentor trainers and operational leaders.
• Monitor on‑the‑job training and ensure training checklists are completed.
• Observe service delivery to identify training needs.
• Review guest feedback and audit results to develop training plans.
• Facilitate induction, onboarding, Train‑the‑Trainer and other programmes.
• Welcome new employees and monitor their onboarding experience.
• Create and maintain a monthly hotel training calendar.
• Conduct regular training needs analyses across departments.
• Maintain individual training plans for hotel positions.
• Present quarterly learning and development plans to leadership.
• Identify high‑potential employees and support their career progression.
• Assist with succession planning, school placements, internships and youth‑development programmes.
• Prepare Workplace Skills Plan, Annual Training Report and manage CATHSSETA grant applications.
• Maintain accurate training attendance records and documentation.
• Support employment equity, employee engagement and BBBEE initiatives.
• Participate in training budget management and health, safety and sustainability programmes.

Required profile

• Relevant hospitality or learning and development qualification (advantageous).
• Minimum three years’ operational experience in the hospitality industry.
• Previous leadership experience (strong advantage).
• Proven training, coaching and facilitation abilities.
• Experience with CATHSSETA reporting, Workplace Skills Plans and Annual Training Reports.
• Understanding of learnerships, skills programmes and mandatory grants.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organisational and administrative ability.
• Confidence to engage and influence employees and leaders at all levels.
• Proactive, disciplined and innovative approach.
• Ability to work independently while contributing positively to a team.
• Genuine passion for developing people and improving the guest experience.