Director of Learning and Development - M.S. Walker

M.S. Walker is a 5th-generation, family-owned wine and spirits importer and distributor, a spirit bottler, and a national supplier.  We are dedicated to our core values, integrity and creating an environment where every team member can thrive. As we continue to expand, we are seeking a visionary Director of Learning & Development to join us in building and leading our comprehensive learning programs from the ground up. 

As the Director of Learning & Development, you will have a unique opportunity to establish and drive our learning and development strategy from inception to execution. You will collaborate closely with senior leadership to understand our business objectives and organizational needs and translate them into impactful learning initiatives. This role requires a creative and strategic thinker who can design and implement scalable programs that foster a culture of continuous learning and development across the company. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Develop a strategic vision and roadmap for learning and development initiatives that align with organizational goals and priorities. 
• Identify learning needs through thorough analysis, stakeholder consultations, surveys and understanding of industry trends. 
• Design, develop, and implement comprehensive learning programs, including onboarding, leadership development, technical training, and soft skills development. 
• Facilitate New Hire Orientation: Lead and manage the orientation program for new employees, ensuring a smooth onboarding process and an introduction to the company’s culture, policies, and procedures. 
• Establish metrics and evaluation frameworks to assess the effectiveness and impact of learning programs. 
• Partner with internal stakeholders to ensure alignment of learning initiatives with business objectives and employee development goals. 
• Stay current on emerging technologies and best practices in learning and development to innovate and enhance our programs continuously. 
• Champion a culture of learning and development by promoting engagement and participation in learning activities throughout the organization. 
• Customize content for several departments and deliver strategic and tactical solutions that support L&D strategy. 
• Lead and champion the use of M.S. Walker University (LMS) including administering the platform, and stewardship of the available content. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

Requirements

• 7-10 years of progressive experience in learning and development with a proven track record of designing and implementing innovative programs that drive business results. 
• Demonstrated success in building learning programs from the ground up, including curriculum design, content development, and program evaluation. 
• Previous experience administrating the use of a corporate Learning Management System (LMS) preferred. 
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate a team to achieve ambitious goals. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization. 
• Dynamic and engaging presentation skills with the ability to understand an audience and engage them in meaningful dialogue from real world situational experiences. 
• Strategic mindset with the ability to translate business goals into actionable learning initiatives. 
• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Education, Organizational Psychology, Business Administration, or a related field are preferred. 
• Relevant certifications (e.g., CPLP, PMP, SHRM-SCP) are a plus. 
• Ability to commute to each of the M.S. Walker facilities as needed. 

Benefits

We offer a Comprehensive Benefits Plan that includes the following:

• Medical & Dental Insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Vision Coverage through VSP
• Paid-Time-Off Program
• Fidelity Investments 401k
• Disability, Life, Accident & Illness Insurance Packages
• Discounted Fitness Memberships
• Free & Discounted Work/Life Resources
• Career Advancement Opportunities
• On-Demand Professional & Leadership Development Through M.S. Walker University

Who we are:

Founded in Boston in 1933, M.S. Walker is a 5th-generation, family-owned wine and spirits importer and distributor, a spirits bottler, and a national supplier. We serve On-Premise and Off-Premise establishments throughout the Northeast, with direct operations in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island and brokerage operations in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. We represent a budding portfolio of wine and spirits nationwide, including our own brands, and we strive to offer the most prestigious portfolio in the industry. M.S. Walker has built our foundation and future on our people – our employees are truly our greatest asset. Our company boasts a diverse pool of exceptionally special team members who each bring their unique skills and experience to the organization.

Mission Statement:

Since 1933, our mission has been firmly rooted in our core values of family, integrity, respect, honesty, and hard work. We are deeply committed to upholding these principles for our team members, customers and suppliers alike. We seek to build and maintain long-lasting relationships based on trust and reliability. By honoring our heritage and embracing innovation, we aim to continuously improve and adapt to meet the evolving needs of our industry, while responsibly contributing to the communities we serve. Together, we strive to elevate the spirit of hospitality and foster a vibrant and respectful culture in all facets of the organization and beyond.