Jennifer Ward
Grand Cayman
Summary
Leadership, Learning and Development Manager with 28 years experience.
Authoritative Manager and clear communicator committed to achieving high performing teams
Highly-skilled Corporate Training Manager, delivering leadership and management program's with expectation-exceeding results.
Qualified Coach and Mentor with extensive experience in implementing both to support employee development, retention and conflict resolution.
Supportive leader with detailed knowledge of industry practices and skills to provide long-term success for companies. Experienced Director with proven track record at contract negotiation at national government and international senior board level. Motivational Training Specialist excited to develop successful training plans that meet dynamic company and employee needs. Accustomed to collaborating with managers to hone in on unique requirements. Prepared to bring Leadership Learning and Management abilities developed over a 28-year career to a growth-oriented role.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
4
4
Certification
Work History
Learning and Development Officer
Royal Cayman Islands Police Service
2023.09 - Current
- Established strong relationships with external partners to source relevant industry-specific trainings on a regular basis.
- Evaluated training program effectiveness, adjusting content as needed to maximise learning outcomes.
- Increased employee retention rates by developing engaging onboarding and orientation processes.
- Improved employee satisfaction and morale by providing tailored professional development opportunities.
- Created detailed reports outlining the impacts of learning initiatives on overall business performance showcasing tangible results from L&D efforts.
- Standardised evaluation criteria across all courses allowing for consistent measurement of participant feedback for ongoing improvement efforts.
- Designed interactive workshops that fostered collaboration and active participation among team members for better knowledge retention.
- Partnered with HR to streamline recruitment processes for new hires, accelerating time to productivity.
- Aligned training programs with organizational goals, ensuring that learning initiatives directly supported overarching business objectives.
- Reduced training costs with the creation of efficient, targeted e-learning modules.
- Championed a culture of continuous learning by regularly sharing resources, articles, webinars, and thought leadership pieces with colleagues.
- Supported organizational change initiatives through thorough communication and effective training strategies.
- Enhanced employee performance by designing and implementing comprehensive learning programs.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify skill gaps and create customized trainings to address them.
- Implemented competency-based assessments to track skill development progress and measure overall success of learning initiatives.
- Conducted regular needs analysis surveys to gauge areas where additional support was required promoting continuous improvement in staff skills, knowledge, and abilities.
- Conducted needs assessments to identify gaps in performance and develop targeted learning solutions.
- Provided coaching and mentoring to employees.
- Analyzed and evaluated training effectiveness and program outcomes.
- Developed job-specific competencies and performance standards.
- Developed and implemented successful onboarding program.
- Designed and delivered web-based, self-directed learning materials.
- Utilised variety of instructional design methodologies to create effective learning experiences.
- Built and maintained professional relationships with partners and stakeholders.
- Developed instructional material and written tests for recruitment and promotion process.
- Established and maintained quality control standards.
- Facilitated virtual, in-person and blended learning sessions.
- Developed and executed performance management programs to increase employee engagement and productivity.
Senior Leadership Development Manager
Cheshire Constabulary
2018.07 - 2023.08
- Oversee Cheshire Police and Fire's annual bidding process for leadership, development, talent training, ensuring that proposals are completed correctly for consideration of both organisations command team.
- Lead on coaching, mentoring and reverse mentoring, encompassing design, promotion and implementation .
- Monitor and evaluate governance of effective Coaching and Mentoring strategy , reporting ROI at Organisational Learning Board.
- Responsible for managing Cheshire Police and Fire Trainers, Administrative Staff and Digital Technologist.
- Elected Chair of 'Enable' disability and carers staff association.
- Committee member of Cheshire Women In policing staff association.
- Passionate about diversity, equality and inclusion, which enables Cheshire Constabulary to to better represent communities served.
- Implemented mandatory management training to improve sickness absence percentage across Cheshire Constabulary. Evaluation results identified, overall positive response from managers resulting in reduction of sickness absence cross Police officers by 2.4% and Police Staff by 1.8%.
- Spearheaded transition to new technology for managing appraisals and reasonable adjustment requirements that led to 65% increase in data collection efficiencies.
- Researched and developed training for officers and staff, from onboarding to newly promoted first line and middle managers programme and continuous professional development programmes for senior management and Leaders.
- Instrumental in policy change and development for colleagues requiring reasonable adjustments inline with Equality Act 2010 guidelines.
- Planned, controlled, evaluated and delivered several management development projects 95% on time and under budget.
- Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work.
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
- Maintained professional, organized, and safe environment for employees and patrons.
- Resolved staff member conflicts, actively listening to concerns and finding appropriate middle ground.
- Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
- Onboarded new employees with training and new hire documentation.
- Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
- Controlled costs to keep business operating within budget and increase profits.
- Communicated clearly with employees, suppliers and stakeholders to keep everyone on same page and working toward established business goals.
- Developed and maintained relationships with customers and suppliers through account development.
- Monitored and analyzed business performance to identify areas of improvement and make necessary adjustments.
- Developed a strong company culture focused on employee engagement, collaboration, and continuous learning opportunities.
- Improved safety procedures to create safe working conditions for workers.
- Achieved departmental goals by developing and executing strategic plans and performance metrics.
- Built high-performing teams through effective recruitment, onboarding, and talent development initiatives.
- Managed budgets effectively, ensuring optimal financial performance while investing in necessary resources for business growth.
- Ensured compliance with industry regulations and legal requirements by implementing comprehensive policies and training programs for staff members.
- Facilitated successful cross-functional collaborations for the completion of key projects, fostering strong working relationships among team members.
- Planned and budgeted accurately to provide business with resources needed to operate smoothly.
- Mentored junior team members for career advancement, fostering a pipeline of future leaders within the organization.
- Streamlined workflows by identifying bottlenecks in existing systems and proactively addressing these challenges through appropriate solutions implementation.
- Led change management initiatives to drive organizational transformation without compromising employee morale or productivity levels.
- Championed diversity and inclusion efforts within the workplace, resulting in an inclusive environment that fostered creativity and innovation among employees from various backgrounds.
- Drove operational efficiency through data-driven decision-making processes, leveraging analytics tools for informed strategy development.
- Cultivated partnerships with external stakeholders to maximize business opportunities and extend network reach within the industry sector.
- Established robust risk mitigation strategies to safeguard against potential operational challenges or disruptions.
- Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
- Evaluated employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills.
- Opened and closed location and monitored shift changes to uphold successful operations strategies and maximize business success.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
- Defined clear targets and objectives and communicated to other team members.
- Cultivated positive rapport with fellow employees to boost company morale and promote employee retention.
- Developed detailed plans based on broad guidance and direction.
Learning & Development Associate
Department For Work & Pensions
2017.10 - 2018.07
- Temporary contractual role to deliver training of Universal Credit to all job centre staff regionally.
- Involved in delivering Leadership Academy training for middle and senior managers
- Facilitated training to job centre staff ensuring up to date knowledge on benefits legislation, regulations and technology.
- Delivered legislation and systems training to groups of 5 - 35 employees, receiving 97% positive participant feedback.
- Enhanced staff understanding of complex tasks by incorporating interactive scenarios and simulations in department software.
- Improved staff knowledge by reviewing and improving training materials.
- Changes in Universal Credit roll out reduced contract period, resulting in deciding to seek full time permanent employment
Managing Director
JMac Associates
2012.05 - 2017.09
- Qualified CIPD Trainer with over 20 years experience, proven track record in delivering motivational training for children, young people and adults, enabling fundamental changes in attitude and behaviour, thus setting goals to plan successful futures and goal driven career pathways.
- Proven track record working with children, young people aged 8 -18 years, including Special Educational Needs children .
- Successfully, changed attitudes to education, improving attendance, time-keeping, engagement and academic results.
- Designed, delivered bespoke personal development programme for parents in socially deprived areas . Most had no qualifications or work experience.
- 'Ignition' programme encouraged parents to become role models, to benefit children, families and wider community, by upskilling or securing employment.
- 'Ignition' Programme was aimed to engage hard to reach parents from deprived UK areas.
- Confidently negotiated high-profit contracts with local authorities to deliver bespoke training in North West Region.
- Feedback from attendees was 100% positive.
- Follow-up evaluation report taken three months after programme completion showed 85% success rate of all parents who completed 8 week programme being in training or work.
- Contract secured to facilitate learning with Special Secondary School for pupils aged 11-18 years . Pupils were identified as MLD, Medium Learning Disability.
- Brief was to adapt training resulting in pupils achieving accreditation in employability skills through ASDAN (Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network).
- High positive feedback scores from pupils, teachers and senior leaders, resulted in four year contract extension to deliver bespoke programme .
- Pupils gained recognised credits in employability skills by attending bespoke course.
- Senior Leadership Team delighted as pupils gaining credits had not previously been expected to achieve any qualifications due to their additional needs.
Programme Director, Business Director
Hays Plc, Education Sector
2007.04 - 2012.05
- Researched Government Education strategy following REC (recruitment & employment confederations) report which, held education establishments responsible to prepare young people for 'The World of Work'.
- Completed investigation inline with summary of findings .
- Researched government guidelines on curriculum for schools and colleges.
- Researched Ofsted Inspectorate guidance.
- Interviewed random sample of schools & colleges to establish if work preparation was delivered in accordance with guidance. Results were sporadic.
- Findings of research supported business plan development. Utilising Hays employability expertise would bridge gaps in schools & colleges curriculum, to prepare pupils for work.
- Business plan delivered to Hays Education M.D. also Hays Plc Board of Directors.
- Decision agreed to approve business start up, lead by myself.
- Designed, Developed and launched new business service for Hays Education.
- Responsible to identify future business opportunities nationally to improve growth.
- Build strong high level relationships with educational leaders, local authorities, government representatives, to support Hays 'Ignition' programme.
- Recruited, trained and developed team of 'Ignition' programme business managers nationally, to market, manage delivery, meet regional targets.
- Internally marketed 'Ignition' programme nationally to all group sectors, increasing leads and facilitating growth.
- Personally secured £250,00 of funding from local authorities, schools and colleges in second year meeting company deliverables targets.
- Conducted performance appraisals of business development managers to improve sales, marketing and account management skills.
- Oversaw daily activities of Ignition Business manager team, supporting personal development.
- Supported several Ignition Champions, one in each Hays education branch UK wide, to increase leads.
- Reciprocating leads to each branch by sharing customer account intelligence.
- Developed strategic, long-term business plans including goals, objectives, sustainability and scalability.
- Responsible for maintaining well-organised operational planning, controlling incoming requests to meet demand to deliver against timelines.
- Led strategic delivery of 'Ignition' Education Programme to improve Stakeholder relationships and grow company market share.
Education
A-Levels - English, Business Studies, Art
Roby Tertiary College
Bachelor of Arts - English
Liverpool John Moores University
Liverpool, LIVSkills
- Organizational Development
- Strategic Planning
- Critical Thinking
- Decision-Making
- Employee Performance Reviews
- Online training experience
- Onboarding Programmes
- Learning Management Systems
- Coaching and Development
- Leadership Development
- Business Needs Analysis
- Training Program Development
- Learning and Development
- Emotional Intelligence
- Develop Training Programs
Accomplishments
Programme Director for a Global Recruitment plc. Established an additional workstream through a behavioural change programme for young people and adults in preparation for work. The programme realised a £250,000 profit in year one. Secured funding from local authority and government to deliver to educational establishments across the UK. I was recognised by the group globally for the success of this innovative idea.
The success of the programme outcomes in education resulted in my delivery of key note speech at Westminister Education Forum on Youth Unemployment.
In Policing I reduced sickness levels by 2.4% by implementing management training, processes and procedures to empower managers to improve engagement of their teams and manage underperformance. I implemented a process for employees who are disabled or who have caring responsibilities to ensure they were provided with the support they need which aligned with HR Policy and Procedures. I designed and implemented a promotional programme for the development of operational officers and police staff aligning with the national college of policing standards. I implemented the first Reverse Mentoring Programme in Policing to improve communication and understanding of Senior Leaders and young in service officers and staff. Evaluation proved a successful outcome for all involved and improved morale across the organisation.
Certification
CIPD Level 3 Training Certificate
Master Certification in Neuro-Linguistic Programming
ILM Level 5 Diploma in Coaching and Mentoring
ILM Level 5 in Leadership and Management
Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeWork Location
On-SiteHybridRemoteImportant To Me
Career advancementHealthcare benefitsPaid sick leavePaid time offWork from home optionPersonal development programsCompany CultureTimeline
Learning and Development Officer
Royal Cayman Islands Police Service
2023.09 - Current
Senior Leadership Development Manager
Cheshire Constabulary
2018.07 - 2023.08
Learning & Development Associate
Department For Work & Pensions
2017.10 - 2018.07
Managing Director
JMac Associates
2012.05 - 2017.09
Programme Director, Business Director
Hays Plc, Education Sector
2007.04 - 2012.05
A-Levels - English, Business Studies, Art
Roby Tertiary College
Bachelor of Arts - English
Liverpool John Moores University
CIPD Level 3 Training Certificate
Master Certification in Neuro-Linguistic Programming
ILM Level 5 Diploma in Coaching and Mentoring
ILM Level 5 in Leadership and Management
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