Assistant Director, Training and Development - Illinois Action for Children

ABOUT US:

Illinois Action for Children (“IAFC”), a local, state, and national leader in the early childhood care and education sector for over 50 years. IAFC programs, services, and advocacy improve learning and life outcomes for children and families, including reducing the effects of poverty. IAFC works to ensure that every child in Illinois – particularly those in need – have access to the necessary resources to succeed in school and in life.

Along with our mission, IAFC is committed to building and maintaining a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist culture. We are dedicated to this pledge through our hiring practices and our focus on creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our way of working and servicing our staff and clients. IAFC staff represent a wide diversity of racial, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities. We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our essential work.

SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Vice President, Human Resources, the Assistant Director, Training and Development serves an internal resource responsible for staff development and effective performance consulting for both departmental and company-wide projects and initiatives. This position will work with management to assess the training and development needs of staff, assist in develop plans and programs that will affect positive change in workplace behavior. The role will encourage continuous improvement by constantly monitoring and sharing standard methodologies and encouraging new ideas and organizational innovation. This position requires significant collaboration with other department management clients, strategic planning team and external training vendors for successful implementation and results. All work to be completed with minimum supervision and in accordance with Company standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to the following. The company reserves the right to add to, delete, change, or modify the essential duties and responsibilities at any time.

1. Develop and execute a learning and development strategy; design and deliver training plans and learning opportunities to all levels and positions of employees. Lead the design and implementation of new hire orientation, compliance training, leadership development, on-boarding, service excellence as well as identified training programs.
2. Facilitate instructor-led classes, meetings, webinars, special events and customized engagements for team development.
3. Engage employees in career conversations to enable a culture of high growth and retention. Ensure that all training initiatives are planned, resourced and executed in line with the Balanced Scorecard and Strategic Plan and are focused on employee growth and engagement.
4. Lead the development of training content by partnering with internal and external subject matter experts, internal stakeholders and business leaders, vendors, and other resources to ensure the achievement of the company goals and core competencies are being met. Establish appropriate learning modules (e.g., classroom, simulation, webinars, e-learning, intact teams, action learning) to maximize training access and effectiveness.
5. Manage the learning management systems (LMS) to accurately upload materials and launch materials for staff development.
6. Manage the performance appraisal process (from beginning to end) and educate staff and management on effectively completing the forms and writing effective and meaningful goals.
7. Perform needs assessment and performance analysis for training and staff development to enhance the effectiveness of employee performance in achieving the goals and objectives of the individual and organization. Set companywide training initiatives that address the strengths, weaknesses, talent levels, skill gaps and development needs for employees at every level. Identify leadership needs, and effective training or workshop interventions to maximize leadership effectiveness. Manage the Leadership Institute training component.
8. Keep abreast of talent development strategies, learning strategies and emerging delivery platforms to meet the needs of a culturally diverse work force.
9. Exhibit knowledge of organizational compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws. Partners with legal counsel when necessary to ensure full compliance. Ensures confidentiality of employee and Human Resources records.
10. Along with the VP of Human Resources, prepare the annual operational Human Resources budget and supplemental project budgets. Lead, develop, motivate, and monitor the performance of various members of Human Resources team.
11. Execute our workplace core capabilities of accountability, customer focus, continuous quality improvement (CQI), communication, competent people, and clear priorities.
12. Work on projects as assigned or required by Management in support of the Strategic Plan.
13. Other Functions: The Organization may assign other functions to the job at its discretion.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform employee evaluations and make pay and/or hiring decisions.
• Incumbent will supervise a Training and Development Specialist.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Development, Training and Development, Human Resources or related field. Five to seven years of experience in demonstrated Organizational Development or Training roles with experience in Performance Development, Leadership Development, and developing and delivering training programs. Five to seven years of direct management of people and team projects, and training delivery.

OTHER SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Excellent public speaking, interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent presentation/facilitation skills
• Exceptional track record developing and delivering learning strategies and initiatives.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills with all levels of employees as well as superior facilitation skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities while delivering high quality results. .
• Self-starter with strong attention to detail
• Collaborates effectively with others to identify and resolve issues.
• Exhibits a personal responsibility and commitment towards the company's values.
• Able to nurture, guide and motivate Training staff to effectively deliver programs that support business results.

Benefits of Working at IAFC:

• Working with passionate team members that are driven by our Mission: Illinois Action for Children is a catalyst for organizing, developing, and supporting strong families and powerful communities where children matter most.
• We strive to foster and implement a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion across our organization. We know it is not only critical to the success of diversity initiatives - but instrumental in creating an unbiased and inclusive workplace! It not only relates to the diverse clients we serve but also creates a positive employee experience.
• We offer an extensive benefits package that adds value to your total compensation. Our benefits include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance plans with a company contribution of 95% for single coverage
• 401k with company match
• Generous PTO – first year-23 days, the second year-28 days, the third year and on - 35 days
• 11 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Account
• STD & LTD insurance
• Company-paid Life Insurance

Salary: $77,600 (annualized) based on background and experience

Location: Chicago, Uptown - Hybrid

Illinois Action for Children is EEO/M/F/V/D employer

While we desire for this job posting to be comprehensive, all aspects of the position may be amended at any time at the discretion of IAFC including job duties, work location and/or work schedule.