Tax Learning & Development - Design Consultant Manager – 12m FTC

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Tax Learning & Development - Design Consultant Manager – 12m FTC

Company: PwC

Location: Manchester, England, United Kingdom (with flexibility for other UK locations: Leeds, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Birmingham, Reading, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh)

Job Type: Full-time, Temporary (12-month Fixed Term Contract)

Category: Internal Firm Services - Human Capital (HC) / Learning & Development

Date Posted: August 21, 2026

Experience Level: Manager (5-10 years of relevant experience inferred)

Remote Status: Hybrid (mix of office, home, and client site)

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and implement innovative learning programmes specifically within the Tax, Legal, and Workforce domains, with a focus on early careers technical learning and learner pathways.

• Act as a key liaison between business stakeholders, subject matter experts (SMEs), and delivery teams to translate business objectives into impactful learning solutions.

• Drive the continuous improvement of learning offerings by analyzing evaluation data, embedding best practices, and ensuring inclusivity and accessibility in all content.

• Foster collaboration and build capability within the design team by coaching junior designers and sharing expertise across the Design Hub.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a 12-month fixed-term contract (FTC) within PwC's Internal Firm Services (IFS) division, specifically focusing on Human Capital (HC) and the Talent, Development & Coaching Centre of Excellence (TD&C CoE). The "Design Consultant Manager" title, combined with the responsibilities, suggests a blend of hands-on learning design and team leadership/mentorship, operating at a manager level within the operations of a large professional services firm. The emphasis on "Tax" expertise indicates a need for domain-specific knowledge.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and curate innovative learning programmes and technical content for Tax, Legal, and Workforce business units, including the redesign of Early Careers technical learning and the creation of structured learner pathways.

• Partner with business stakeholders and subject matter experts (SMEs) to identify learning needs, facilitate design workshops, and ensure learning solutions are aligned with strategic business priorities and learner requirements.

• Drive quality assurance and continuous improvement initiatives by reviewing learning content, analyzing programme evaluation data, embedding industry best practices, and ensuring learning solutions are inclusive, accessible, and deliver measurable business outcomes.

• Lead and mentor junior designers (Design Senior Associates) and other team members, providing guidance, sharing knowledge across the Design Hub, and supporting project delivery.

• Prepare and support facilitators to deliver high-quality learning experiences, ensuring consistency and effectiveness in programme execution.

• Leverage the latest technological innovations and modern learning approaches to enhance learner engagement, effectiveness, and overall outcomes.

• Apply commercial judgment and project management discipline to manage design projects, delivering results within scope, budget, and timelines, especially under pressure.

• Analyze data-driven insights provided by the Strategy and Insights team to inform learning design and ensure solutions meet business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hybrid role combining instructional design with project management and team leadership. The emphasis on "Tax technical expertise" and "understanding of the Tax, Legal & Workforce business" is critical and likely a primary differentiator for candidates. The mention of "author content" and "review content prepared by Design Senior Associates" indicates direct involvement in content creation and quality control.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Required: While no specific degree is mandated in the provided text, a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Business, Education, Human Resources, Psychology, or a related discipline is typically expected for a Manager-level role in Learning & Development within professional services.

• Preferred: Advanced degrees or certifications in Learning & Development, Instructional Design, Adult Education, or specific Tax/Legal fields would be advantageous.

Experience:

• Required: A minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in learning and development, with a significant portion focused on instructional design, curriculum development, and programme delivery within a corporate environment.

• Preferred: Experience within a professional services firm, particularly with exposure to Tax, Legal, or complex financial services learning programmes, is highly desirable. Experience managing design projects and/or leading junior team members.

Required Skills:

• Tax Technical Expertise: Deep understanding of Tax, Legal, and Workforce business areas, their strategic priorities, and specific learning needs.

• Learning Design & Development: Proven experience in designing, developing, and reviewing both face-to-face and digital learning solutions using modern learning methodologies.

• Stakeholder Management & Influence: Ability to build trusted relationships, communicate clearly and confidently with diverse audiences, and influence stakeholders to drive learning initiatives.

• Project Management: Discipline in managing design projects, delivering on time and within scope, with strong organizational and planning skills.

• Coaching & Mentorship: Experience in coaching colleagues, sharing expertise, and fostering collaboration within a team.

• Innovation & Learning Technology: Proficiency in leveraging digital tools and modern learning approaches to enhance engagement and outcomes.

• Analytical Thinking: Ability to analyze programme evaluation data and apply data-driven insights to improve learning effectiveness.

Preferred Skills:

• Instructional Design Methodologies (e.g., ADDIE, SAM)

• Adult Learning Theories (Andragogy)

• E-learning authoring tools (e.g., Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate)

• Learning Management System (LMS) administration or utilization

• Content Curation and Strategy development

• Facilitation skills for both virtual and in-person sessions

• Change Management principles

• Creativity and strong problem-solving abilities

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Optional Skills" list provided in the raw data is extensive and includes many relevant competencies. I have distilled these into the most critical "Required" and "Preferred" skills, inferring a need for strong domain knowledge (Tax) and core L&D competencies at a manager level. The "5-10 years" experience level is an inference based on the "Manager" title and typical industry progression.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Learning Design Case Studies: Demonstrable examples of learning programmes designed and developed, showcasing the entire design lifecycle from needs analysis to evaluation.

• Content Samples: Examples of various learning materials created, such as facilitator guides, participant workbooks, e-learning modules, job aids, or microlearning content.

• Process Documentation: Evidence of how learning needs were translated into learning objectives and how solutions were designed and implemented, including any documentation of design methodologies used.

• Impact & ROI Demonstration: Case studies that clearly articulate the business objectives addressed, the learning solutions implemented, and the measurable outcomes or ROI achieved.

Process Documentation:

• Needs Analysis & Design Frameworks: Ability to document the process for identifying learning needs, conducting stakeholder interviews, and applying systematic design frameworks (e.g., ADDIE) to develop effective learning solutions.

• Content Development & Quality Assurance: Documentation outlining the process for creating, reviewing, and approving learning content, ensuring accuracy, relevance, and adherence to design standards.

• Evaluation & Continuous Improvement: Processes for collecting and analyzing learner feedback, performance data, and business impact metrics to drive iterative improvements in learning programmes.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Consultant Manager role, a portfolio is crucial. It should not only showcase the final output but also the candidate's thought process, methodologies, and ability to demonstrate business impact. The focus on "Tax" content implies that examples related to technical subject matter would be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Given this is a 12-month FTC for a Manager-level role at PwC in the UK, and considering the Manchester location, the estimated annual salary range would likely be between £60,000 and £85,000 per annum, pro-rated for the contract duration.

📝 Enhancement Note: This salary range is an estimate based on industry benchmarks for Learning & Development Manager roles in large professional services firms in major UK cities like Manchester, factoring in the 12-month FTC nature and the specified Manager experience level. Actual compensation may vary based on specific experience, skills, and internal PwC grading.

Benefits:

• Empowered Flexibility: A hybrid working model allowing a split between office, home, and client site to support work-life balance and operational needs.

• Private Medical Cover: Comprehensive private medical insurance for employees.

• 24/7 Virtual GP Access: Immediate access to qualified virtual general practitioners for consultations at any time.

• Volunteering Days: Six paid days per year dedicated to volunteering activities, supporting community engagement.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, skill enhancement, and access to PwC's extensive internal training resources.

• Pension Scheme: Contributions to a company pension plan.

• Life Assurance: Coverage providing financial support to beneficiaries.

Working Hours:

• Typically 40 hours per week, aligning with standard full-time employment. The hybrid working model offers flexibility in managing workdays between office, home, and client locations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits listed are directly from the job description and are standard for a company of PwC's size and stature. The emphasis on flexibility is a key differentiator for hybrid roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Professional Services (specifically, Accounting, Tax, and Advisory). PwC is a global leader in assurance, advisory, and tax services, operating within a highly competitive and regulated market.

Company Size: PwC is one of the "Big Four" accounting firms, employing over 325,000 people globally and over 22,000 in the UK. This large scale means access to extensive resources, diverse projects, and a structured career path, but also a need for clear processes and efficient internal operations.

Founded: PwC was formed in 1998 through the merger of Coopers & Lybrand and Price Waterhouse, but its constituent firms have histories dating back to the mid-19th century. This long heritage implies a culture that values tradition, expertise, and long-term client relationships, while also embracing innovation to stay relevant.

Team Structure:

• TD&C CoE: The role is part of the Talent, Development & Coaching Centre of Excellence (TD&C CoE), a specialized team within IFS focused on talent strategy and people development.

• Design Hub: The Design Consultant Manager will work within a "Design Hub," likely a sub-team of the TD&C CoE, focused on learning content creation and programme design.

• Reporting Lines: Reports into a Portfolio Strategy Leader (PSL) but may report to a Senior Design Consultant for programme delivery. This indicates a matrixed reporting structure common in large organizations.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Close collaboration with business SMEs, Portfolio Strategy Leaders, Strategy & Insights teams, and delivery teams is essential.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Insights: The team utilizes insights from a Strategy & Insights team to inform learning design and ensure alignment with business objectives.

• Process Optimization: A core function is to design and curate effective learning interventions, implying a focus on optimizing the learning process for impact and efficiency.

• Innovation & Technology: Emphasis on leveraging the latest technological innovations and modern learning approaches to enhance learning effectiveness and engagement.

Company Website: https://www.pwc.co.uk/

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding PwC's culture as a large, established professional services firm is key. This means a focus on client service, professional standards, continuous improvement, and a structured approach to talent development. The role is internal-facing, supporting the firm's own people.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Manager within the Internal Firm Services (IFS) Human Capital function. This level signifies a transition from individual contribution to leading specific projects and potentially mentoring junior staff. It requires a blend of technical expertise in learning design and strong interpersonal and project management skills.

Reporting Structure: The role reports into a Portfolio Strategy Leader (PSL), indicating a strategic alignment with specific business portfolios (Tax, Legal, Workforce). The potential reporting to a Senior Design Consultant for programme delivery highlights a collaborative and project-focused management structure.

Operations Impact: This role directly impacts the firm's ability to develop its talent, ensuring its people have the necessary skills and knowledge to serve clients effectively. By designing impactful learning, the role contributes to employee retention, performance improvement, and the firm's overall strategic goals and competitive advantage.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in Tax learning design or become a recognized expert in specific learning technologies and methodologies within PwC.

• Leadership Development: Potential to move into Senior Design Consultant or Portfolio Strategy Leader roles, taking on broader strategic responsibilities and managing larger teams or portfolios.

• Internal Mobility: As part of a global organization, there are opportunities to explore roles in other IFS functions or even client-facing roles if relevant skills are developed.

• Skill Enhancement: Continuous learning through internal PwC training, external certifications, and exposure to cutting-edge learning design practices and technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a temporary role, growth is often measured by skill acquisition and project impact rather than immediate promotion. However, for high performers, a temporary contract can serve as an extended interview and a pathway to permanent roles or future opportunities within PwC.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment, blending remote work with time spent in a PwC office and potentially at client sites. PwC offices are typically modern, professional, and equipped with collaborative spaces, meeting rooms, and necessary technology.

Office Location(s): The role is advertised with flexibility across multiple PwC office locations in the UK, including Manchester (primary), Leeds, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Birmingham, Reading, Bristol, Cardiff, and Edinburgh. This offers candidates a choice based on their proximity and preference.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Offices are designed to foster collaboration, with meeting rooms, breakout areas, and shared workspaces. The hybrid model necessitates effective virtual collaboration tools.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to PwC's standard technology stack, including collaboration platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams), project management tools, and potentially specialized learning design software and LMS.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with colleagues within the Design Hub, TD&C CoE, and broader IFS teams, both virtually and in person.

Work Schedule:

• Standard 40-hour work week with a focus on delivering results. The hybrid nature allows for flexibility in structuring the work week, balancing personal needs with project deadlines and team collaboration requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is a significant aspect of the work environment, offering flexibility but also requiring strong self-discipline and communication skills to maintain team cohesion and productivity.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review and potential screening call with an HR or Talent Acquisition representative to assess basic qualifications and interest.

• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion with the Portfolio Strategy Leader (PSL) or Senior Design Consultant to assess technical expertise, experience, and cultural fit. This may include behavioral questions.

• Design Challenge/Presentation: Candidates may be asked to complete a short design exercise or present a portfolio piece demonstrating their skills in learning design, problem-solving, and stakeholder communication. This is a critical stage for a design role.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a more senior leader within IFS HC to confirm suitability and discuss the FTC specifics.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 of your strongest learning design projects that best showcase your experience relevant to Tax, Legal, or Workforce learning, as well as your ability to design both digital and face-to-face solutions.

• Showcase the Process: For each project, clearly outline the business need, your role, the learning objectives, the design methodology used, the content developed, the delivery method, and crucially, the outcomes or impact achieved. Use visuals where appropriate.

• Highlight Innovation: Emphasize any innovative approaches, technologies, or learning methodologies you employed to enhance engagement and effectiveness.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics (e.g., improved performance scores, reduced error rates, positive feedback trends, ROI) to demonstrate the value of your learning solutions.

• Tailor to PwC: Research PwC's approach to learning and development and tailor your presentation to align with their stated values and priorities.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: Be prepared for a challenge that requires you to analyze a learning need and propose a solution, potentially within a Tax or professional services context.

• Structure Your Approach: Demonstrate a clear, systematic design process. Think about how you would engage with SMEs, define objectives, select appropriate modalities, and plan for evaluation.

• Communicate Clearly: Practice articulating your design decisions and rationale concisely and persuasively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount for a design role. Candidates should be prepared to not just show their work but also to "sell" their process and impact. The temporary nature of the role might mean a slightly more streamlined interview process, but the core assessment of design capability will remain rigorous.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Learning Design Software: Proficiency in industry-standard authoring tools such as Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, or similar platforms for creating interactive e-learning modules.

• Content Creation Suites: Microsoft Office Suite (Word for documentation, PowerPoint for presentations and storyboarding, Excel for data analysis).

• Collaboration Platforms: Microsoft Teams, Slack, or similar for virtual team communication and collaboration.

• Project Management Software: Tools like Asana, Trello, Jira, or MS Project for managing design project timelines and tasks.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Learning Management Systems (LMS): Experience with or understanding of how learning content integrates with and is tracked within an LMS (e.g., Workday Learning, Cornerstone, Docebo).

• Data Analysis Tools: Excel for basic data analysis of evaluation forms and performance metrics. Potentially BI tools like Power BI or Tableau if involved in deeper analytics.

• Survey/Feedback Tools: Tools for collecting learner feedback (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Microsoft Forms).

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how learning impacts performance metrics often tracked in CRM or HRIS systems (like Workday) is beneficial.

• Familiarity with workflow automation concepts in relation to learning deployment or tracking could be an advantage.

📝 Enhancement Note: PwC, as a large tech-savvy organization, will expect candidates to be proficient with common professional tools and adaptable to their specific internal systems. The emphasis on digital learning means strong e-learning authoring tool experience is likely a prerequisite.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Client Focus (Internal): While this is an internal role, the "client" is the PwC employee. The values will likely mirror PwC's broader commitment to quality, service, and delivering value.

• Excellence & Quality: A drive to produce high-quality, impactful learning solutions that meet rigorous professional standards.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Encouragement to explore new methods, technologies, and approaches to enhance learning effectiveness.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong emphasis on working together, sharing knowledge, and supporting colleagues to achieve collective goals.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing data and insights to inform design choices and measure the effectiveness of learning programmes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with business SMEs, HR professionals, and other IFS teams to ensure learning solutions are relevant and aligned with business strategy.

• Open Communication: Encouraging feedback, constructive critique, and transparent communication within the design team and with stakeholders.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that promotes sharing best practices, lessons learned, and innovative ideas to elevate the entire team's capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: PwC's core values often revolve around integrity, making a difference, and working together. The IFS and HC functions will embody these, with a particular focus on employee development and support.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Diverse Needs: Designing learning solutions that cater to the varied technical expertise, learning styles, and career stages of employees across Tax, Legal, and Workforce.

• Rapidly Evolving Tax Landscape: Keeping learning content current and relevant in a constantly changing regulatory and technical environment.

• Driving Adoption of New Technologies: Encouraging the uptake and effective use of new learning technologies and methodologies among learners and facilitators.

• Measuring Impact in a Complex Environment: Quantifying the precise business impact of learning programmes within a large, multifaceted professional services firm.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Tax/Legal/Workforce Training: Access to PwC's internal expertise and resources to deepen knowledge in these specific business domains.

• Advanced Learning Design Techniques: Opportunities to train in emerging instructional design methodologies, learning technologies, and digital content creation.

• Project Management & Leadership Skills: Developing skills in managing complex projects, leading teams, and influencing senior stakeholders.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Potential support for attending L&D or Tax-specific industry events and obtaining relevant certifications.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to be mentored by senior leaders within IFS HC and to mentor junior colleagues.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to working in a large, dynamic professional services firm with a focus on specialized knowledge. The growth opportunities are substantial given PwC's investment in its people.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design a complex technical learning program for a specialized audience. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on methodology, stakeholder engagement, and impact).

• "How do you ensure that learning solutions are inclusive, accessible, and cater to diverse learning needs?" (Demonstrate understanding of inclusive design principles).

• "Given the rapid changes in tax legislation, how would you approach ensuring the ongoing accuracy and relevance of learning content for our Tax professionals?" (Highlight continuous improvement and content management strategies).

• "Imagine you need to design a new learner pathway for early careers Tax associates. What are the first steps you would take, and who would you involve?" (Showcase your needs analysis and stakeholder management approach). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about PwC's approach to talent development and learning?" (Research PwC's IFS and HC strategies).

• "How do you align learning objectives with broader business strategy?" (Connect your design work to organizational goals).

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid or flexible work environment. How do you ensure productivity and collaboration?" (Highlight your self-management and communication skills). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each portfolio piece, frame it as a narrative: the challenge, your solution, the process, and the results.

• Focus on "Why": Explain the rationale behind your design choices, not just what you did.

• Showcase Adaptability: Be prepared to discuss how you might adapt a project for a different audience or context.

• Be Ready for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, challenges encountered, and how you measured success.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to quickly analyze a hypothetical learning need and outline a high-level design solution, including learning objectives, content areas, and delivery methods. Focus on a structured, logical approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a blend of technical L&D skills, domain knowledge (Tax), project management capability, and a collaborative, results-oriented mindset suitable for PwC.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the PwC careers portal link provided.

• Tailor Your CV: Customize your resume to highlight your Tax technical expertise, extensive experience in learning design (both digital and face-to-face), stakeholder management, and any project leadership or coaching experience. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most impactful learning design projects. Ensure you can clearly articulate the business problem, your design process, the solutions implemented, and the measurable results. Be ready to present this virtually or in person.

• Research PwC: Understand PwC's business, its values, and its approach to talent development. Familiarize yourself with their Internal Firm Services and Human Capital functions.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare for behavioral questions using the STAR method and practice articulating your design philosophy and project experiences clearly and concisely.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.