Manager, Professional Development - Lakeshore Learning Materials, LLC

At Lakeshore, we create innovative learning materials and world-class guest experiences for teachers, parents and children. Since 1954, we’ve grown into a global community—with a thriving e-commerce business, multiple catalogs, 60+ retail stores, a peerless national sales force, plus international offices that support our preeminent supply chain division. But today we’re working better, smarter and faster than ever—and setting our sights even higher. We’re building an infrastructure designed for scalability, embracing data-driven decision-making and using technology to improve efficiency and ensure the best tools for the best work. Most importantly, we continue to invest in a diverse team of inquisitive top talent who fuel each other’s passions and curiosity, take risks, try new things, and believe that every new day brings opportunities for growth.

We are seeking a Manager, Professional Development to join our team. In this role, you will play a pivotal role in the growth and development of educators, ensuring they have the skills and knowledge necessary to provide high-quality guidance to educators. The position requires developing, implementing and managing professional development programs for educators, as well as evaluating the effectiveness of such programs and making necessary improvements. Applicants should have at least six years of experience in professional development. The ideal candidate also has exemplary presentation skills and the ability to speak to customer needs at all levels.

A day on the job looks like this:

• Set clear team goals and KPIs in partnership with Senior Leadership, while managing day-to-day operations
• Monitor team performance and provide regular constructive feedback
• Motivate team members and assess performance through one-to-one meetings and yearly evaluations
• Lead team in personal growth discussion/activities during team meetings
• Provide coaching, mentorship and direction to professional development specialists
• Stay current with the latest trends and advancements in the education industry
• In partnership with the Content Manager, support staff/consultants on CLASS projects, oversee observation of consultants, develop resources to train and upskill the PDS team, and review consultant work product
• Support PDS workload management
• Conduct regular observations
• Support Sales field and leadership
• Support KPI mentors and mentees
• Partner with leadership for regional needs
• Support maintenance of SharePoint resource files, adding to the library on a regular basis
• Prepare and maintain calendars daily and weekly
• Effectively communicate upward, downward and laterally
• Complete training for external customers as well as internal function
• Attend conferences and national events as needed
• In partnership with Senior Director, create strategy and direction for the PDS team

Got the skills and experience? Here’s what we’re looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field required; master’s degree strongly preferred
• 6-plus years of experience in professional development, with at least two years of developing, coaching or leading other people (or equivalent experience)
• Background in Early Learning and Head Start; elementary education a plus
• Strong work ethic, team player mentality and ability to perform outstanding work from home
• Experience with CLASS
• Strong understanding of effective teaching strategies and methodologies
• Excellent written/verbal communication, administrative and organizational skills
• Proven experience in team management, leadership and people development
• Proficiency with Office 365 and Salesforce
• Has in-depth knowledge of various training platforms and related technologies
• Ability to travel nationally (up to 75% of the time)
• Located in a major metropolitan area
• Ability to manage changing priorities due to customer and business needs

And here’s our end of the bargain! 

• Competitive compensation based on skills and experience, plus a bonus plan
• Paid leave for new parents to support work/life balance and family bonding
• Excellent medical/dental and vision coverage—EPO, PPO and HSA
• 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution (because you will retire someday)
• Flexible benefits—choose what you like, ignore the rest
• On-site preschool for our employees’ children
• On-site employee gym for all levels/fitness needs
• Generous employee discount
• Casual dress…and we really mean it

At Lakeshore, we know our diversity makes us stronger, and when everyone feels included and valued, we all win. We strive to embrace our differences and create an intentionally diverse and inclusive community that is representative of the teachers, families and children we serve.

We know we couldn’t do the extraordinary things we’re doing without the people on our team. Thanks to the passion and enthusiasm of this spectacular group, Lakeshore is more than a great place to work—it’s a great experience to be part of. Day in and day out, we give everything we’ve got to create products that instill a sense of wonder and foster a true love of learning. To help maintain this high bar for success, we’re constantly on the lookout for people to join us. So if you’re a down-to-earth professional who shares our desire for making a difference, we’d love to hear from you. 
 
To learn more about Lakeshore, visit www.lakeshorelearning.com/careers 
 
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
People are selected to become members of the Lakeshore family based on skill, merit and mind-boggling talent—not based on race, color, creed, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, marital status, domestic partnership status, military status, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, alienage, AIDS or AIDS-related complex status, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, status as a victim of domestic violence, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If things aren’t equal, we all lose.

To learn about how we collect and use Applicant information, please visit our Employee/Applicant Privacy Policy. INDRLL11