Program Design Lead - Hawthorn East

Role Purpose 

The Program Design Lead (PDL) owns and manages the end-to-end design, development, delivery, and continuous improvement of strategic, high impact learning programs. The role ensures learning solutions are aligned with the Coles Learning Strategy and Learning Framework, delivering cohesive, scalable programs that build capability across business units. 

Working in partnership with senior stakeholders, subject matter experts, and external vendors, the Program Design Lead connects learning initiatives across disciplines to ensure consistency, impact, and alignment with organisational priorities. 
 
This role requires strong project management discipline, the ability to influence stakeholders and accountability for vendor performance to ensure high-quality, on-time delivery of learning programs. 

This is a key role in advancing Coles’ transition from fragmented learning offerings to a clear, cohesive learning ecosystem for all team members across brands.  

Key Responsibilities 

Program Design and Development 

• Lead the design, development, delivery, and maintenance of strategic, high impact and BAU learning programs aligned to the Coles Learning Strategy and specific business requirements. 

• Ensure learning solutions are consistent with adult learning principles, the Coles Learning Framework and integrated across programs. 

• Act as the connective thread across learning initiatives and contribute to leadership development programs where required.  

• Be a thought leader on the implementation and embedding of innovative design and development tools, technologies and solutions 

Planning and Delivery 

• Develop and deliver against annual learning plans for the relevant business units or capability areas. 

• Coordinate with activity planning teams to ensure program schedules and realistic delivery timelines. 

• Work with central learning teams to advise scheduling, coordination, and rollout requirements of learning programs.  

• Ensure programs are delivered on time and budget through solid project management practices. 

Stakeholder Partnership 

• Partner with Capability Strategy teams, senior leaders, SMEs, program owners, and cross-discipline learning teams to design learning solutions aligned to business priorities. 

• Build and manage strong relationships with key stakeholders, including capability leaders, SME’s and business unit executives, to support development and delivery of learning initiatives. 

• Influence stakeholders, without formal authority, to drive adoption and implementation of learning solutions aligned to the organisational learning strategy.  

Learning Evaluation and Continuous Improvement 

• Ensure program design quality and consistency across learning solutions. 

• Conduct post-implementation reviews of learning programs, producing clearly defined continuous improvement plans. 

• Use qualitative and quantitative insights and data analytics, to improve learning design, delivery, and embedding strategies. 

• Ensure embedding activities and behaviour change initiatives are implemented and measured.  

• Ensure metrics are clearly defined, are built into program design and are measurable. 

• Establish reporting program requirements 

Vendor and Project Management 

• Partner with external vendors to design and develop learning solutions that meet agreed quality expectations and align with Coles’ learning standards. 

• Manage learning program delivery through effective oversight of project plans, budgets, timelines, and key milestones. 

• Hold vendors accountable for meeting contractual commitments and ensure programs are delivered to agreed quality standards, timelines, and outcomes. 

Self-leadership and Compliance 

• Demonstrate accountability for compliance with company values, policies, and procedures including the Coles Code of Conduct. 

• Complete required compliance training and contribute to a culture of learning excellence.  

Key Stakeholders 

• Capability Strategy & Partnering, Learning Design Innovation, and P&C teams  

• General Managers and senior leaders in relevant business areas 

• Subject matter experts and program owners 

• External learning vendors and partners  

Experience and Qualifications 

• Minimum 5 years in Learning & Development, Organisational Development, Leadership Development, or HR. 

• Proven experience managing end to end design, development, and delivery of complex learning or capability programs. 

• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple projects and priorities concurrently, while maintaining quality and deadlines. 

• Demonstrated ability to work at pace and with flexibility. 

• Experience managing budgets and vendor partnerships. 

• Ability to influence stakeholders across internal and external groups  

Qualifications 

• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, or 

• Graduate or postgraduate qualifications in Human Resources, Adult Education, or Psychology (highly regarded), or 

• Equivalent workplace learning and development experience.