Manager of Learning and Leadership Development

Job Details: Job Location: Chicago - Chicago, IL, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: Bachelors Degree, Salary Range: $80000.00 - $90000.00Salary, Travel Percentage: Hybrid, Job Category: Training, The Manager of Learning and Leadership Development develops and operationalizes Youth Guidance’s training, professional development, and leadership development strategy, translating organizational priorities into effective learning practices that strengthen manager effectiveness, support staff growth, and advance agency impact. The role owns the agency’s leadership development approach the Career Pathways program, and Paycom Learning.Essential Duties/Responsibilities:   Operationalize the training and leadership development strategy into agency practice at Youth Guidance, in partnership with the Chief People Officer and aligned with the agency’s annual and strategic plans.  Lead leadership development as a core strategy of this role and building a continuum of development for emerging, new, and experienced supervisors, including assessments and individual development plans, that strengthens manager effectiveness across the agency.  Own and manage the Career Pathways program, ensuring staff have clear, accessible routes for growth and advancement that align with the agency’s training and leadership development strategy.  Supervise and support a direct report, providing coaching, performance feedback, and professional development to ensure individual and team effectiveness.  Plan, coordinate, and oversee YG’s required Manager’s Training as well as internal training institutes, including Winter and Summer Training Institutes, ensuring high quality execution and staff engagement.  Facilitate trainings in person and virtually, applying adult learning principles and engagement strategies for diverse staff audiences.  Design and develop training curricula, materials, and e-learning content, partnering with internal subject matter experts and external vendors as needed.  Continuously assess professional development needs using data from performance reviews, staff surveys, training evaluations, and strategic initiatives.  Collaborate with program leadership and the executive team to assess training needs, identify skill and performance gaps, and implement targeted development plans that strengthen service delivery and team performance; partner with supervisors to support their teams’ growth.  Chair the agency’s Training Committee and provide oversight for related subcommittees, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.  Serve as system administrator for Paycom Learning, fully leveraging the system to build and assign courses, automate required trainings, and track and report on learning; establish standards and best practices for effective system use, tracking, and reporting.  Develop and manage the training budget to ensure alignment to Youth Guidance’s Mission and Vision for Impact.  Ensures sound fiscal controls are in place to monitor revenues and expenses.  Lead the implementation and successful delivery of training initiatives, from planning through completion and evaluation.  Track and report training participation and completion data to inform decision making and continuous improvement.  Measure the effectiveness of training and leadership development programs, including progress on manager effectiveness goals in the agency’s annual and strategic plans, using performance metrics, observations, coaching conversations, and employee feedback, and use results to continuously improve learning initiatives.  Maintain accurate training documentation, certification records, and compliance tracking, ensuring all employees remain current on required training, continuing education, and regulatory certifications.  Maintain and recertify Youth Guidance’s CEU license, ensuring compliance with all continuing education requirements.  Other duties as assigned. Qualifications: Education/Experience/Training  Bachelor’s degree in communication, education, social work, human services, human resources, organizational development, or a related field required;   A minimum of five years of work experience in training and development, including designing and delivering training for adult learners.  Experience designing or facilitating leadership development programs.  Experience in administration and program development is preferred.  Experience in a nonprofit, education, or human services setting preferred. Skills/Abilities  Possesses excellent analytical and organizational skills; a strong critical thinker.  Strong knowledge of adult learning principles, instructional design, and training evaluation methods.  Skilled facilitator with a confident, engaging presence in both in-person and virtual settings, including the ability to manage group dynamics and navigate difficult conversations.  Proficiency with learning management systems (Paycom Learning experience preferred), virtual meeting platforms (e.g., , Microsoft Teams), and Microsoft Office, with an ability to learn new systems quickly and use AI tools with sound professional judgment.  Effective communicator with excellent verbal, written, and negotiation skills to communicate effectively and with integrity across a variety of audiences.  Demonstrated ability to learn and adapt during new and shifting priorities with a "can-do," solutions-oriented approach to problem solving.  Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with staff and leaders at all levels, program teams, and external partners and vendors.  Proven track record leading large-scale programs and projects.  Demonstrates a sense of urgency in accomplishing goals and objectives to ensure success. Core Competencies  Communication: Uses effective written and oral communication with staff, teams, leaders, and partners; demonstrates empathy and listening.  Stakeholder orientation: Recognizes the needs of diverse internal stakeholders and approaches relationships with a service orientation to maximize impact.  Equity mindset: Understands and is committed to goals of equity, consistently brings an equity mindset to the organization’s work and workplace.  Growth mindset: Views growth as important for personal and professional development; seeks out opportunities to expand skills and demonstrates curiosity and eagerness to learn.  Learning expertise: Applies adult learning principles to design and deliver engaging, effective learning experiences that change practice.  Ownership and quality of work: Effectively manages own work, and work of the team to ensure delivery of high-quality work.  Supervisory skills: Effectively manages, coaches, and develops others.  Mission drive: Demonstrates commitment to the mission of the organization as a whole and alignment with organization values. Physical Demands  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Ability to stand, move about a room, and speak to groups for extended periods while facilitating trainings.  Ability to set up training spaces and lift and carry training materials and equipment (up to approximately 25 pounds).  Regular use of a computer and virtual meeting technology for extended periods. Work Environment  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  This job operates in a professional office environment and at school and community sites, working with staff and the public.  Occasional local and national travel. Benefits Youth Guidance offers a competitive benefit package for eligible full-time employees including the option to participate in medical, dental, and vision plans as well as short-term disability, life insurance, flex spending accounts, pet insurance, 401k, a wellness program and more. You may also qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Our Values   At Youth Guidance, we believe that creating a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and respected is fundamental to realizing our vision of bright and successful futures for all young people. We acknowledge that many systems and institutions intended to support youth do not provide fair treatment or access for everyone. We strive to celebrate the unique qualities of youth and recognize them as empowered leaders, problem-solvers, and experts of their own experiences.    Youth Guidance is an equal opportunity employer. Youth Guidance does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law and is committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. People of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.