Julie Standfield
Summary
Focused Learning and Development Director and Experienced Facilitator and Coach, with impressive track record in collaborative, cross-functional teamwork within high-pressure environments. Adept at project planning and managing multiple accounts at once. Dedicated to improving company goals and meeting business objectives.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work history
Global Director, Organisational Development
SOPHOS
Abingdon
06.2021 - Current
- Led a global Organisational Development (OD) team at Sophos, achieving a 5% enhancement in leadership effectiveness through a groundbreaking 'Director+' program
- Designed and executed comprehensive people and learning strategies globally, fostering real-life skill development and effectiveness across diverse technical and support teams
- Guided 'Women in Technology' development programme, advancing inclusion and career progression for female talent
- Delivered executive coaching for the Senior Management Team globally, including C-Suite members, enhancing leadership capabilities and strategic acumen
- Defined and executed OD strategies, including succession planning, high-potential development, and integration of new learning technologies within a technology-driven business.
Senior Global L&D Manager
07.2017 - 06.2021
- Conceptualised, designed and executed skill and leadership development initiatives for Senior Managers, Directors, and Executives globally, encompassing approximately 2,000 managers
- Engaged with C-Suite executives to delineate their vision and business objectives, proposing pragmatic solutions to enhance leadership upskilling, effectiveness, engagement, and competencies
- Key Achievements:
- Designed and executed diverse skill development programmes, ranging from team offsite for globally dispersed teams of up to 150 individuals to tailored mentoring and coaching solutions for Executives and Senior Vice Presidents
- Formulated and implemented OD strategies, including talent development, succession planning, high-potential programmes, and internal coaching and mentoring initiatives
- Orchestrated Apprenticeship scheme, ensuring the integration of apprenticeships up to MBA level to maximise learning funding budgets effectively
- Delivered technical qualifications in the field of cybersecurity alongside specialised external training providers
- Supported sales enablement by implementing team effectiveness solutions and spearheading skills development initiatives in media communications and professional speaker events
- Led regional change projects aimed at streamlining core products and optimising team structures, orchestrating an organisational redesign across five European countries.
OD Consultant
INCENDO
Southampton
01.2017 - 07.2017
- Spearheaded marketing and business development initiatives during a phase of rapid growth:
- Designed and executed impactful social media campaigns and took charge of the planning and execution of network buyer's conferences, resulting in the acquisition of qualified business leads for subsequent follow-up
- Deputised for Managing Director, overseeing day-to-day operations and seamlessly executing bespoke executive coaching and training events
- Delivered tailored solutions to drive organisational effectiveness.
Head of People Development
INNOVATION GROUP UK
Whiteley
05.2014 - 01.2017
- Directed a portfolio encompassing people development, employee well-being, engagement, employee relations, and L&D for the UK business, with a focus on the Motor Insurance and outsourcing sectors while assuming full P&L accountability
- Key Achievements:
- Oversaw people engagement and development, including leadership coaching, talent attraction and retention, employee well-being initiatives, training needs analysis, solution design and consultancy, and development programmes
- Collaborated globally with HR professionals to design and implement standardised people processes and 'The Innovation Way' competencies and behavioural frameworks across international operations
- Developed and executed HR initiatives, including strategic consultations on restructures, offshoring, talent acquisition and retention, employee relations and employee engagement and well-being
- Led business change projects, encompassing office closures, redundancies and process design
- Designed and executed talent development initiatives, including the creation of assessment and development centres and oversight of the career path project
- Formulated and delivered a diverse array of soft skills training courses for contact centre colleagues, while also leading the design and delivery of leadership skills training for all managers within the business
- Boosted employee engagement
- Led various people development and change projects, including the establishment of an employee consultation council, implementation of a new performance management process, and the development of a talent management strategy
- Provided executive coaching for the internal senior team, fostering individual development and effectiveness
- Implemented an e-learning approach to the business, catering to the 24/7 operational nature
- Developed out-of-hours training solutions to address the unique learning needs of specialised teams
- Introduced employee engagement index and surveys, achieving 20% improvement in 12 months
- Analysed results, offering business commentary and actionable plans for resolution.
Learning Designer, Facilitator & Executive Coach
Emerge Ltd
06.2008 - 05.2014
- Spearheaded global OD consultancy, specialising in design and facilitation of programmes, focused on leadership development, performance management, personal effectiveness, communication skills and coaching for clients across diverse settings, including aerospace, defence, retail, academia, financial services and local government
- Designed and delivered leadership training within internationally recognised programmes accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
- Lead Designer and Tutor for ILM Level 5 Certificate and Diploma in Coaching & Mentoring
- Facilitated impactful team development events, spanning team leader to director levels, addressing areas such as celebration of successes, refinement of working practices, service improvement and resolution of team conflicts
- Managed various projects in L&D, including ILM accreditation and implementing virtual learning environments (VLE)
- Maintained key account and relationship management responsibilities for a portfolio of UK and international corporate clients, providing consultancy services throughout the lifecycle of development programmes.
Technical Operations Manager
MOTORCARE SERVICES LTD
Fareham
01.2006 - 01.2008
- Member Team Management | KPI Achievement | Quality Standards | ATA Compliance | Client Relationship Management
- Fee Negotiation | Escalation Point for Complaints | Customer Satisfaction Resolution
Education
Health and Safety Training Centre Management | Leadership Module Facilitation | First Aid Training -
CITB
IOSH, NEBOSH Compliance | Trainer, Assessor and Internal Verifier for Accredited Programmes - undefined
Institute of Leadership
Management (ILM) Level 5 Certificate in Coaching & Mentoring (Current - undefined
NEBOSH General Certificate - undefined
CIPD) Certificate in Training Practice -
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
Training Manager & Facilitator - undefined
ALFRED MCALPINE
2006
Skills
- Employee Engagement
- Training Needs Analysis
- 360-Degree Feedback Design
- Succession Planning
- Psychometric & Aptitude Profiling
- Executive Coaching
- Solutions Implementation
- Change Management
- Learning & Capability Building
- Global Business Alignment
- Strategic Decision-Making
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Strategic thinker
- Budget development and management
Accomplishments
- Leadership & Organisational Development - Learning & Development (L&D) - Organisational Culture - Talent Management
- Forward-thinking Director of Organisational Development (OD) with a proven track record in formulating and implementing global talent strategies aligned with business objectives
- Skilled in managing talent development, retention and attraction for global organisations
- Expertise in strategic workforce planning, organisational effectiveness, and fostering a robust learning culture
- Collaborative partner with Senior Executives, adept at balancing strategic vision with hands-on execution
- Proactively identifies market challenges, drives key business projects, and elevates organisational cultures in complex environments
- Receptive to emerging talent trends, advocates for internal mobility, and oversees learning budgets for cost-effective, high-quality L&D delivery of up to £450k
- Expertise in partnering on DE&I initiatives, developing leadership support programmes, and empowering employees
- Demonstrated success in designing and implementing comprehensive learning, talent development and OD programmes to enhance employee competencies
Affiliations
Fellow of the Learning Performance Institute (FLPI) - Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS)Member of the Association for Coaching (AMAC)
Feedback
"I could simply write 'Julie is an exceptionally talented OD and L&D professional with an ability to connect at all levels, with a strong commercial acumen and a natural style and ability that makes everyone she meets feel at ease and open to learning and change.', and that would instantly put her in the top 2% of people in this field.
But somehow that feels like it sells her short. I've worked with Julie for several years and she is disciplined, conscientious, empathetic, funny, super smart and dedicated to her craft."
Rob Maddalena, LinkedIn recommendation
Timeline
Global Director, Organisational Development
SOPHOS
06.2021 - Current
Senior Global L&D Manager
07.2017 - 06.2021
OD Consultant
INCENDO
01.2017 - 07.2017
Head of People Development
INNOVATION GROUP UK
05.2014 - 01.2017
Learning Designer, Facilitator & Executive Coach
Emerge Ltd
06.2008 - 05.2014
Technical Operations Manager
MOTORCARE SERVICES LTD
01.2006 - 01.2008
Health and Safety Training Centre Management | Leadership Module Facilitation | First Aid Training -
CITB
IOSH, NEBOSH Compliance | Trainer, Assessor and Internal Verifier for Accredited Programmes - undefined
Institute of Leadership
Management (ILM) Level 5 Certificate in Coaching & Mentoring (Current - undefined
NEBOSH General Certificate - undefined
CIPD) Certificate in Training Practice -
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
Training Manager & Facilitator - undefined
ALFRED MCALPINE