Our client is seeking an experienced Learning & Development Specialist to lead the design, development, implementation, and ongoing management of company-wide learning, performance management, and succession planning programs. This is a hands-on program ownership role for someone who enjoys building programs from the ground up. The ideal candidate will not simply coordinate existing training—they will identify organizational needs, create practical solutions, launch and facilitate programs, measure effectiveness, and continuously improve initiatives based on employee feedback and business results.
Working closely with HR leadership, department managers, subject matter experts, and employees across the organization, this individual will play an important role in strengthening leadership capabilities, closing skill gaps, improving performance, and supporting employee development, engagement, and retention.
Responsibilities:
- Own the design, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of learning and development programs across the organization.
- Conduct organizational and department-level training needs assessments to identify skill gaps and development opportunities.
- Develop annual and department-specific training plans aligned with business priorities and operational needs.
- Personally create and facilitate training programs supporting leadership development, employee growth, safety, operational effectiveness, and performance improvement.
- Develop, update, and maintain training materials to ensure alignment with current policies, procedures, systems, and operating practices.
- Partner with managers and subject matter experts to ensure technical and operational training content is accurate and relevant.
- Build and manage the company's performance management process, including goal setting, check-ins, performance evaluations, and development planning.
- Develop and maintain a practical succession planning program focused on critical roles, employee readiness, development actions, and internal talent pipelines.
- Support managers with employee development through career pathing, coaching resources, cross-training, and development planning.
- Educate employees and managers on learning, performance management, and development processes and provide ongoing support to encourage adoption.
- Develop and monitor metrics to evaluate training participation, knowledge transfer, program effectiveness, and business impact.
- Analyze employee feedback, performance information, and business data to identify trends, performance barriers, and development needs.
- Maintain accurate training documentation, attendance records, completion data, and other required records.
- Administer learning management and performance management systems and provide user support as needed.
- Coordinate training schedules, communications, facilities, technology, and materials while accounting for operational schedules and shift coverage.
- Remain actively involved after program launches by monitoring adoption, coaching users, resolving issues, and improving programs based on results.
- Promote a workplace culture centered on accountability, collaboration, employee engagement, continuous improvement, and ongoing learning.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Training & Development, Organizational Development, Organizational Psychology, or a related field preferred.
- 7+ years of progressive Human Resources experience, with significant responsibility for learning and development, organizational development, performance management, or a related area.
- Demonstrated experience building programs from the ground up and independently taking them from concept and design through implementation, facilitation, measurement, and continuous improvement.
- Experience developing and managing performance management and/or succession planning programs.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
- Experience working with learning management systems (LMS) and performance management platforms.
- Experience with Paylocity or a comparable HRIS/LMS is preferred.
- Strong facilitation, presentation, written communication, listening, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to use metrics, employee feedback, and business data to evaluate program effectiveness and recommend improvements.
- Working knowledge of adult learning principles, employee engagement, employee relations, and retention strategies.
- Ability to build credibility and effectively partner with employees, managers, and senior leaders.
- Comfortable working in an industrial or manufacturing environment and adapting programs around operational schedules and business priorities.
- Strong judgment and discretion when handling confidential employee and business information.