Learning & Development Specialist – Digital & Operations in Retail Sector

About Al-Futtaim Group

Founded in the 1930s as a trading firm, Al-Futtaim Group has evolved into a diversified and progressive private enterprise headquartered in Dubai, UAE. The Group operates through five main divisions: automotive, financial services, real estate, retail, and healthcare, employing over 35,000 individuals across 20+ countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Partnering with more than 200 renowned global brands, Al-Futtaim’s focus on customer-centricity and entrepreneurship drives its continuous growth and regional expansion.

Guided by principles of respect, excellence, collaboration, and integrity, Al-Futtaim Group strives daily to enhance the lives and goals of its customers.

Role Overview

The Learning & Development Specialist will play a key role in creating engaging digital learning content, managing learning operations effectively, and ensuring smooth and impactful learner experiences. This individual will develop strategic learning plans, coordinate learning initiatives, and collaborate closely with store managers, HR partners, facilitators, and subject experts to achieve meaningful development outcomes that align with business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop annual and monthly learning plans based on business needs and regional priorities, ensuring compliance with service level agreements.
• Coordinate the timely communication and deployment of all learning activities within scheduled cycles.
• Collaborate with stakeholders including store management, HR business partners, and regional L&D teams to achieve alignment on learning goals.
• Manage the end-to-end rollout of various learning formats including classroom, virtual, blended, and self-paced learning pathways.
• Ensure facilitator and buddy readiness and maintain an active resource pool to support learning delivery.
• Boost learner engagement through campaigns, communication efforts, and social learning initiatives that promote the company’s culture and values.
• Track learning completion, certification, and compliance using designated platforms and dashboards; deliver timely reports aligned with SLA requirements.
• Act as a learning consultant to line managers, HR partners, and SMEs, supporting performance cycles and individual development plans.
• Contribute insights and best practices to regional and retail learning projects and continuous improvements.

Qualifications and Skills Required

• Diploma or higher vocational qualification in Human Resources, Learning & Development, Business, or related discipline.
• Experience of 1 to 3 years in Learning & Development, HR, or employee support roles, preferably in retail or operational environments.
• Proficient in learning management systems (LMS) and digital tools for coordinating and tracking learning initiatives.
• Strong organization, planning, and follow-up capabilities to manage multiple tasks and stakeholder coordination effectively.
• Excellent communication skills for building positive relationships with managers, HR, facilitators, and peers.
• Adaptability and resilience to succeed in a fast-paced retail environment while maintaining flexibility.

About Al-Futtaim Retail

Al-Futtaim Retail stands as a leading entity in retail across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia for over 30 years. The company partners with notable global brands such as IKEA, ACE, Toys R Us, and Inditex Group brands including Zara, Mango, and Bershka. It also operates numerous Marks and Spencer stores offering fashion and food. The retail division continues to expand by launching new brands like Watsons and B&Q in the region, emphasizing talent development across its multicultural workforce of more than 100 nationalities in 12 countries.