Learning & Development Manager

Job Title: Learning & Development Manager

Department: People Department

Location: Remote. This position requires an ability to travel.

Reports To: Director of Employee Experience

Supervises:  Potential for up to three (3) direct reports 

Context: At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence and togetherness. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel injustice, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it. Sierra Club has close to 800 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters that are led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees.

Scope: In partnership with the Director of Employee Experience, the Learning & Development Manager will lead the design, delivery, and implementation of a comprehensive learning program aimed at fostering a larger, interconnected, and capable network of activists and leaders. This learning program, utilizing Decolonize Design’s Belonging, Dignity, Justice and Joy (BDJJ) framework, will help staff members develop the skills and practices needed to embody our core organizational values, contributing to a highly effective and balanced organization.  The Learning & Development Manager will lead the implementation and adoption of digital training initiatives, utilizing self-paced curriculum to enrich learning experiences and cultivate robust learner connections. They will also drive the overall development and execution of comprehensive learning strategies and activities, working closely with stakeholders to ensure alignment and effectiveness.

• Support the development and execution of the learning & development strategy: Design and implement a comprehensive learning strategy aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of staff and volunteers at all levels. Ensure alignment with organizational values and objectives while integrating virtual and live learning engagements. Optimize Sierra Club's online Learning Management System (LMS) to facilitate effective training delivery.
• Deliver learning and development opportunities: Collaborate with internal partners to facilitate training sessions rooted in Belonging, Dignity, Justice & Joy principles. Take charge of end-to-end training planning, including agenda development, tool preparation, and post-training support for participants. Serve as the primary trainer, ensuring seamless execution of learning initiatives.
• Lead immersive learning ecosystem development: Co-lead the implementation of the learning and development strategy, emphasizing leadership development opportunities. Develop and socialize core competencies and curriculum across different audiences, accommodating emerging needs while maintaining flexibility.
• Measure effectiveness and impact: Oversee the holistic development of learning programs, from assessment to evaluation and follow-up. Establish mechanisms to track learning outcomes and practice changes, ensuring compliance with legal requirements. Provide regular reports on program goals and outcomes to leadership.
• Provide advice and guidance on targeted learning: Act as an internal subject matter expert on learning and development, offering support and guidance to stakeholders throughout the organization. Align all learning activities with organizational standards, policies, and initiatives. Ensure consistency and effectiveness in learning activities.
• Coordinate Campfire Learning initiatives: Serve as the backup administrator for Sierra Club's LMS (Campfire Learning). Facilitate integrated learning journey curriculum development. Collaborate with course developers to ensure effective utilization of the platform. Provide recommendations for content strategies and delivery methodologies, incorporating blended training approaches. Liaise between training content creators and the IT team to address technical issues and enhance user experience. 
• Support training compliance: Administer all required compliance training, ensuring adherence to organizational policies and legal requirements. Provide ongoing support for updating training content and advise on Sierra Club training policies. Stay abreast of new digital learning tools and best practices.

• Learning & Development Expertise: Substantial background in Learning and Development and People Relations fields. Advanced proficiency in training facilitation and curriculum design, encompassing areas such as onboarding, performance management, leadership and management development. Proficiency in routine administration of Learning Management Systems (LMS).
• Creative Learning Program Development: Demonstrated experience in creating impactful adult learning activities (both in-person and virtually), effectively fostering measurable practice and driving change within organizational settings. Proficient in developing resources, tools, and processes to enrich learning experiences. Expertise in instructional design, skilled at designing engaging content for digital learning programs, while employing innovative methodologies to elevate learning experiences.
• Project Management: Proven track record of managing large-scale projects from inception to completion. Utilizes systems thinking to navigate complexity and adapt to dynamic conditions effectively. Strong project management and facilitation skills, ensuring structured processes and support systems are in place for staff and leaders to manage and adapt to change seamlessly.
• Time, Self & Team Management: Focuses on enhancing efficiency, continually seeking opportunities to streamline processes. Efficiently manages workflows through prioritization and multitasking, ensuring deadlines are met while keeping stakeholders informed. Demonstrates thoroughness and attention to detail.
• Excellent Communication Skills: Proficient in written, oral, and presentation communication, facilitating effective dissemination of information across various audiences.
• Commitment to Evolution: Demonstrates a commitment to continuous personal growth and deepening understanding of systems of oppression through ongoing study, openness, and humility. Recognizes and examines personal relationships to privilege and power, adjusting behaviors accordingly.
• Uplifting and Additive Attitude: Embraces mistakes as opportunities for growth and problems as catalysts for solutions, fostering a constructive approach. Inspires others with a can-do attitude, sense of humor, and authentic kindness, contributing positively to the organizational environment.

To Apply

The Sierra Club provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all staff members. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, lived experience and skills. The Sierra Club does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ancestry, age, size, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, familial status, veteran status, disability, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, prior conviction, arrest history, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Sierra Club values applicants who are people that identify as Black, Indigenous, and other minoritized groups; women; queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people.

Explore, enjoy and protect the planet.