About Boys & Girls Clubs Of Boston
Since 1893, Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston have played an essential role in opening doors and creating opportunities for young people across this city. For every youth in Boston and Chelsea, Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston are a life-changing force for opportunity and empowerment that enables future talent to reach their full individual potential as productive citizens and leaders, inspired to make a difference in the Greater Boston community.
By reaching 22 of 23 communities throughout Boston and Chelsea, no other youth serving organization engages more young people and families. Learn more at and join us in transforming our members, our communities, our city!
Position Overview
The Vice President (VP) of Learning and Development is a passionate developer of talent with strong organizational development and leadership skills who wants to use their background and experience to design, support and implement the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston’s (BGCB) employee development strategy and create staff learning and training programs/initiatives. This role is responsible for designing and executing a learning and development strategy that strengthens organizational culture, promotes inclusion, and ensures the workforce is equipped to deliver on organizational priorities and drive measurable results. The VP of Learning and Development advances the mission of BGCB by enhancing the skills, performance, productivity and the quality of work at BGCB. This role is responsible for building the skills, leadership capacity and effectiveness of staff managers and leaders across the organization to increase impact. The VP of Learning and Development will create and implement tools and trainings and manage systems and resources used in the development and improvement of talent management, human resources, and performance management and general learning and training programs and initiatives. The VP of Learning and Development works closely with the Chief People Officer to ensure this work is aligned with BGCB’s long-term vision and goals and strategic plan priorities. The VP of Learning and Development reports to the Chief People Officer and is a member of the People and Culture Team. Additionally, this individual serves as a critical member of the People and Culture Leadership Team to support collaboration, communication and the successful achievement of cross-team goals and objectives and to embed learning into the fabric of the organization.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES And RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy & Mission Alignment
- Develop and lead a mission-aligned learning and development strategy that supports organizational goals, values, and long-term sustainability
- Using best practices in adult learning, human resources, management, and youth development theories lead the development of a learning framework for BGCB Staff Learning and Development
- Collaborate across departments to ensure learning solutions address real organizational and programmatic needs
- Build and manage relationships with external partners and peer organizations to enhance learning opportunities
- Ensure learning initiatives reflect the communities served by the organization and advance BGCB’s goals
- Act as a key advisor to the Chief People Officer on strategic organizational and leadership development efforts to improve overall organizational effectiveness, including competency modelling and organizational mapping; feedback models and conflict resolution models; consensus building; succession and action planning to identify and develop high potential staff for future roles within the organization.
Talent and Organizational Development
- Remains current on best practices for adult learning theory, leadership development, organizational development, human resource and performance management, succession planning, instructional design and training
- Lead, develop and implement activities critical to advancing the organization’s Staff Learning and Development Framework, Strategy, Programs and Initiatives
- Establish learning and training programs aimed at identifying and developing a set of core general, management, and leadership competencies for staff that will enhance opportunities for professional development and growth
- Partner with club and program leaders to align learning with performance management, career pathways, and talent development strategies.
- Develop and implement activities to support the company’s Organizational Development Initiatives related to culture, team effectiveness, and change.
- Partner with the Chief People Officer to promote, advance and lead strategic initiatives related to organizational design and team effectiveness
- Build internal capacity and make sure managers have the skills, training and knowledge to effectively lead and develop their teams
- Strengthen, enhance and implement performance management systems, processes and tools (includes annual performance goal setting, online individual development plans, mid-year check-ins, performance reviews and/or end of year reflections)
- Act as a key advisor to Chief People Officer on planned interventions in identified areas of opportunity for improving company culture and behavior based on results of organizational surveys and assessments
Staff Learning and Training Content Development
- Apply adult learning theory and evidence-based instructional design practices to ensure learning is accessible, engaging, and effective
- Create, write, edit and conduct ongoing research for documents related to staff learning and training planning and implementation
- Author, edit and facilitate training and professional development for staff.
- Develop content presented in a way that meets best practices for adult learning and delivered through a variety of modes (e.g. online, in-person, case-studies, simulations, training guides, webinars, coaching, etc.)
- Integrate compliance and safety training as required by law and BCBA into the Staff Learning and Development Framework
- Work closely with clubs and departments to ensure safety and compliance concepts are understood by staff and can be applied when needed
- Establish and maintain ongoing relationships with clubs/teams/departments in order to have an ongoing understanding of how learning can best meet employee development, business needs and objectives
- Establish, maintain and leverage good relationships with third-party providers, industry groups and other external partners to enhance learning or creative solutions offered to employees
- Foster a culture of continuous learning, reflection, and accountability across the organization
- Integrate learning into key moments across the employee lifecycle beginning with onboarding and orientation
Staff Learning and Training Development, Improvement and Implementation
- Develop annual project plan for creating and implementing staff training modules including scope and sequence for Staff Learning and Training Programs and Initiatives
- Lead the selection, implementation, and optimization of learning technologies, including learning management systems (LMS), virtual learning platforms, and digital content tools.
- Curate and manage posting, organization and monitoring of resources in online learning management systems as needed
- Use the LMS to optimize the delivery, design, and attendance tracking
- Leverage data, technology, and innovative learning modalities to increase reach and effectiveness within resource-constrained environments.
- Develop and maintain organizational communications such as emails and Sharepoint postings to ensure staff have knowledge of learning and training events and resources
- Collaborate and partner with BGCB departments, clubs, and staff in developing, planning and executing on all staff professional development days including but not limited to the Annual Staff Learning Institute and Camp Professional Development Day as well as retreats and community gathering events
- Establish metrics to evaluate learning effectiveness, behavior change, and organizational impact.
- Use qualitative and quantitative data to continuously improve programs and demonstrate value to internal and external stakeholders.
- Create and analyze data from needs assessment (and other data gathering tools) to develop insights on professional learning and training needs of staff
- Conducts follow-up focus groups or studies of completed staff training to gain insights or evaluate and measure results
- Develop learning and training ad hoc reports, as assigned
Other
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing learning and development team.
- Successfully work, collaborate and partner with colleagues in People and Culture Department
- Participate in other People and Culture tasks, responsibilities and special projects, including budget development, setting annual priorities, team meetings, etc.
- Establish strong working relationships and connections throughout the organization to represent People and Culture by providing an exceptional level of customer service to all current and prospective staff.
- Act as a role model in all internal and external interactions.
- Participate in BGCB committees and contribute to organizational initiatives
GENERAL BGCB EXPECTATIONS
- Teaching youth/teens the importance of living an active, healthy lifestyle is a BGCB priority. As a result, all staff are expected to model healthy behavior while working with our members.
- BGCB values creating child-friendly environments, where youth/teens of all abilities can be successful and participate. BGCB expects employees to embrace its focus on inclusion of all members, regardless of disability or developmental challenge.
- Building the capacity of staff is central to BGCB. The organization encourages and requires that all staff participate in annual professional development opportunities that continue to cultivate their skills in the youth development field.
- Every staff member shares the responsibility for ensuring BGCB is, and remains, an environment free of sexual, physical, or emotional abuse.
Qualifications
Required
- Master's Degree and 15 plus years' related on-the-job experience
- Strong knowledge and understanding of human resource management and adult learning concepts
- Experience in instructional design, including needs analysis and multi-media learning theory
- Experience creating training and learning programs designed to improve the work experience of a highly qualified and motivated staff
- Experience using systems to create online content such as trainings, videos and graphics
- Exceptional record of strong oral, written, and presentation (especially facilitation and training) skills
- Strong emotional intelligence, active listening skills and a deep customer service orientation
- Self-motivated, resourceful, and meticulously detail and deadline-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously. This includes having experience with multi-project planning and management: ability to prioritize, work at a high capacity and multi-task in order to meet key tasks as scheduled
- Ability to work well under pressure and to be flexible and accommodate shifting priorities.
- Proven project management skills, including ability to plan, implement and manage high level and logistical work and wide-scale (organizational) events
- A keen understanding of what motivates people and how to build flexible incentives that respond to diverse learning, work, communication and other styles.
- Ability to think strategically and build systems and processes for successful human capital growth and development
- Knowledge and experience with Human Resource Management Systems (HRIS) and Learning Management Systems (LMS)
- Demonstrated ability to use advanced functions of Windows operating systems, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook) the internet and web-based platforms
- Demonstrated commitment to and experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and communities
- Commitment to BGCB’s mission and core values
- On-going commitment and interest in social justice, inclusion, and youth development work
Preferred
Experience in the nonprofit sector
TRAVEL
- Frequent travel between sites/clubs and to activities as required.
START DATE
March 2026 (
desired start date yet position open until filled)
LOCATON
Downtown Office, Boston, MA
Salary & Benefits
Salary - $148,493 per year - $159,650 per year; along with competitive benefits and a great work environment
TO APPLY
Please complete an online application at https://www.bgcb.org/aboutu/careers/. Both a cover letter and resume are required to complete your application. Applications without a cover letter may not be considered. Candidates will be reviewed on an on-going basis. Please upload/attach your resume to your applicant profile as well as your cover letter.
Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion or creed, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, sexual and reproductive health choices, marital status, age, pregnancy, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status recognized by federal, state or local law with respect to employment opportunities. Please visit our website at
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, applicants may request accommodations needed to participate in the application process.
