Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Learning & Development Lead

🎯 Role Definition

Are you passionate about unlocking human potential and building a culture of continuous learning? We are searching for a dynamic and experienced Learning & Development (L&D) Lead to spearhead our organizational training and development initiatives. In this crucial role, you will be the architect of our learning ecosystem, responsible for the full lifecycle of learning programs—from needs analysis and strategic planning to instructional design, delivery, and impact measurement. You will partner closely with leaders across the business to identify skill gaps, develop impactful learning solutions, and cultivate a workforce that is agile, engaged, and prepared for future challenges. If you are a strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to creating and facilitating exceptional learning experiences, we want to hear from you.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Senior Learning & Development Specialist
Instructional Designer
HR Business Partner with a focus on talent development

Advancement To:

Director of Learning & Development
Head of Talent Management
VP of People & Culture

Lateral Moves:

Organizational Development Manager
Talent Management Lead

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct comprehensive learning needs analyses across all departments through surveys, interviews, and collaboration with leadership to identify critical skill and knowledge gaps.
Design, develop, and implement a holistic and scalable L&D strategy that aligns with the company’s strategic goals, values, and long-term talent roadmap.
Create and manage a blended learning curriculum that includes e-learning modules, instructor-led training (virtual and in-person), workshops, and on-demand resources.
Lead the development and execution of our leadership development programs, designed to cultivate essential skills for emerging, new, and senior leaders.
Oversee the end-to-end administration, optimization, and strategy for our Learning Management System (LMS), ensuring a seamless and engaging user experience.
Develop and maintain a robust set of metrics and KPIs to measure the effectiveness, engagement, and business impact of all learning initiatives, reporting findings to key stakeholders.
Manage the entire L&D budget, including forecasting, allocation of funds, and tracking expenses to ensure a high return on investment.
Source, evaluate, and manage relationships with external training vendors, consultants, and content providers to supplement internal L&D offerings.
Act as a master facilitator, delivering engaging and high-impact training sessions on various topics including leadership, soft skills, and professional development.
Partner with the People & Culture team to integrate learning and development into the complete employee lifecycle, from onboarding to performance management and succession planning.
Champion a vibrant learning culture by promoting learning opportunities, encouraging knowledge sharing, and leveraging internal subject matter experts.
Utilize modern instructional design principles and adult learning theories to create compelling and effective learning materials, including facilitator guides, participant workbooks, and job aids.
Lead large-scale L&D projects from inception to completion, managing timelines, resources, and stakeholder communications to ensure successful delivery.
Provide expert coaching and guidance to managers and leaders on team development, performance coaching, and fostering a growth mindset.
Stay current with the latest industry trends, technologies, and best practices in learning and development to continuously innovate our programs.
Develop and launch a comprehensive onboarding program that accelerates new hire time-to-productivity and fosters a strong sense of belonging and cultural alignment.
Design career-pathing frameworks and development tools that empower employees to take ownership of their professional growth within the organization.
Manage the creation and curation of a digital learning library, ensuring content is relevant, up-to-date, and easily accessible to all employees.
Collaborate with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) leaders to ensure all learning programs are inclusive and support our DEI objectives.
Facilitate team-building and organizational development interventions to enhance team effectiveness and collaboration across the company.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis related to employee skills and engagement.
Contribute to the organization's broader talent management and people strategy.
Collaborate with business units to translate performance gaps and business needs into actionable learning requirements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the People & Culture team.
Assist in communicating company-wide initiatives and change management efforts.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

LMS Administration: Deep expertise in managing and optimizing Learning Management Systems (e.g., Workday Learning, Cornerstone, Docebo).
Instructional Design: Proficiency with instructional design models like ADDIE and SAM to build effective learning experiences.
E-learning Authoring Tools: Hands-on experience with tools such as Articulate 360 (Storyline, Rise), Camtasia, or Adobe Captivate.
Data Analysis & Reporting: Ability to analyze learning data, measure ROI, and create insightful dashboards using Excel, Power BI, or similar tools.
Project Management: Strong command of project management principles and software (e.g., Asana, Jira, Monday.com) to manage complex L&D initiatives.
Virtual Facilitation Platforms: Mastery of virtual delivery tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Webex, including advanced features like breakout rooms and polling.
Survey & Assessment Tools: Experience designing and administering surveys and assessments using platforms like SurveyMonkey, Google Forms, or Qualtrics.
Budget Management: Proven ability to create, manage, and report on departmental budgets and program-specific financials.
Vendor Management: Skill in sourcing, negotiating with, and managing contracts for external training vendors and consultants.
Competency Modeling: Experience in developing and implementing competency frameworks for various roles and levels.
Adult Learning Theory: In-depth knowledge of adult learning principles and the ability to apply them to program design.

Soft Skills

Strategic Thinking: Ability to connect learning initiatives directly to business outcomes and anticipate future development needs.
Communication & Presentation: Exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills; can articulate a clear and compelling vision.
Stakeholder Management: Adept at building relationships, influencing, and gaining buy-in from senior leaders and cross-functional partners.
Leadership & Coaching: A natural leader and coach who can guide both a team and individuals in their development.
Creativity & Innovation: A forward-thinker who brings fresh ideas and a creative approach to L&D challenges.
Adaptability: Thrives in a fast-paced environment and can pivot strategies in response to changing business needs.
Empathy & Interpersonal Skills: High emotional intelligence and the ability to connect with employees at all levels.
Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills to diagnose issues and design effective solutions.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s Degree

Preferred Education:

Master’s Degree
Professional certification in coaching, instructional design, or talent development (e.g., CPTD, SHRM-CP).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Human Resources
Adult Education or Corporate Training
Organizational Psychology or Development
Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

5-8 years of progressive experience in a Learning & Development or Talent Development role.

Preferred:

At least 2 years of experience managing direct reports or leading an L&D function.
Experience designing and scaling L&D programs in a high-growth or global organization.