Dis-Chem Pharmacies’ in Midrand has an opportunity available for a Head of Learning & Leadership Development to join the team. The main purpose of this role will be to architect and drive an integrated learning and leadership development strategy that strengthens Dis-Chem’s capability pipeline, supports long-term career growth, and enables operational excellence through future-ready, digital-first learning solutions. This role provides strategic leadership to learning and training objectives across Dis-Chem, ensuring alignment of learning pathways to the Employee Value Proposition (EVP), organisational development priorities, and digital transformation. A key focus is on embedding modern leadership practices that support Dis-Chem’s growth, innovation, and culture transformation agendas. 

Minimum Requirements

Essential:

• Bachelor’s Degree in HR, Learning & Development, Organisational Psychology, or related field  
• Minimum 10 years in Learning & Development, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role preferably in a large entity 
• Proven success in leading national learning teams across multi-site environments (retail, FMCG, or healthcare preferred) 
• Deep understanding of leadership development frameworks, adult learning principles, instructional design, and SETA compliance 

Roles & Responsibilities

Learning Strategy & Organisational Capability Building:

• Lead the development of a group-wide learning strategy aligned to business priorities, growth targets, and talent needs across retail, healthcare, distribution, and support functions. 

• Integrate learning into performance, transformation, and succession plans to ensure talent readiness and depth across all levels. 

• Translate business challenges into learning solutions that drive productivity, compliance, innovation, and employee experience. 

• Identify and embed future-fit metrics to ensure the positive impact of learning experiences, value, cost effectiveness, and learner engagement and satisfaction and business outcomes. 

Leadership Development & Future-Fit Capabilities:

• Define and implement modern leadership development practices grounded in inclusive, empathetic, and agile leadership models. 

• Oversee the design and delivery of leadership journeys for frontline, mid-level, and executive leaders, ensuring alignment with organisational culture and strategic priorities. 

• Build a future-fit leadership pipeline through immersive learning experiences, mentorship, and coaching frameworks. 

 Learning Pathways & Career Development Enablement:

• Develop structured, integrated learning pathways that connect roles, skills, qualifications, and progression across all job families. 

• Partner with Talent & Culture, Total Rewards functions to embed learning into career architecture, internal mobility, and EVP value drivers. 

• Ensure learning is visible and accessible to employees, supporting self-directed development through clear pathways and recognition systems. 

Digital Learning & Innovation:

• Oversee the development and curation of scalable, high-impact digital learning content and platforms (LMS, microlearning, mobile-first tools). 

• Drive adoption of blended, social, and AI-powered learning models that enhance learning agility and accessibility across the workforce. 

• Leverage data analytics to measure learning impact, engagement, and learning ROI, continuously improving through agile experimentation. 

People Leadership:

• Establish a high-performing, collaborative, and accountable culture within the P&C retail team that reflects the organisation’s values and drives business impact. 

• Ensure the P&C team is equipped with the necessary skills, agility, and leadership capabilities to support a fast-paced and evolving retail environment. 

• Provide clear leadership and direction to the P&C team in delivering people priorities that enable retail operations and business performance. 

• Ensure the P&C team is structured and resourced effectively to meet the current and future needs of the retail business. 

Competencies

• Commercial Acumen
• Execution Orientation
• Strategic Influence
• Digital Learning Transformation
• Resilience  and Agility
• Stakeholder Engagement
• People Leadership

 
Special conditions of employment

• South African citizen
• MIE, clear criminal and credit
• Driver’s license and/or own reliable transport
• Occasional traveling

 
Remuneration and benefits

• Market-related salary
• Medical aid
• Provident fund
• Staff account

ONLY SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED. IF YOU HAVEN`T BEEN CONTACTED WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE CLOSING DATE CONSIDER YOUR APPLICATION AS UNSUCCESSFUL.

 
Dis-Chem Pharmacies is an equal opportunity employer. Dis-Chem’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process aligned to Dis-Chem’s Employment Equity & Transformation Strategy. Dis-Chem actively supports the recruitment of People with Disabilities.