Assistant Director, Learning & Development

JOB TITLE

Assistant Director, Learning & Development

LOCATION

Worcester

DEPARTMENT NAME

Talent Strategies

DIVISION NAME

Worcester Polytechnic Institute - WPI

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Senior Director of Labor & Talent Programs, the Assistant Director of Learning & Development partners with the WPI community to advance learning and development programs and champions a culture of continuous learning for all employees, faculty and staff.

The role designs, delivers, and evaluates university-wide initiatives, including learning pathways, leadership and manager development, onboarding curriculum, and professional development opportunities, that strengthen organizational effectiveness and drive individual and institutional performance.

As a trusted advisor and strategic partner to campus leaders and Talent Strategy Partners (TSPs), the Assistant Director applies expertise in facilitation, development design, and data-informed evaluation, and manages the University’s learning management system and related technologies. This work improves employee learning, engagement, retention, and sense of belonging throughout the WPI community.

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Learning Program Design, Delivery & Facilitation:
  • Design, develop, and deliver high-impact learning experiences, including workshops, learning series, cohort-based programs, and learning pathways, in both in-person and online formats that support career growth for all employees, faculty and staff.
  • Partner with senior leaders, TSPs, and academic and administrative leaders to assess learning needs, recommend solutions, and develop a forward-looking L&D strategy that builds critical skills for current and future organizational needs.
  • Facilitate engaging sessions for diverse audiences including faculty, staff, individual contributors, managers, and senior leadership; train internal facilitators and subject matter experts to deliver content as appropriate.
  • Stay current on emerging best practices, adult learning methodologies, and AI-enabled learning technologies to evolve program offerings.
• Leadership & Manager Development:
  • Design, coordinate, and facilitate leadership and manager development programs that strengthen coaching, communication, and supervisory effectiveness.
  • Develop learning experiences for new supervisors and emerging leaders, including faculty in leadership roles, to support successful transitions and long-term leadership capability.
  • Create tools, frameworks, and resources that support performance management, feedback conversations, and career development.
• Talent & Organizational Development:
  • Manage a portfolio of talent programs including the succession planning pipeline and performance management.
  • Partner with Talent & Inclusion (T&I) to develop onboarding curriculum and orientation resources that support new employees’ successful transitions and long-term success.
  • Collaborate with T&I and divisional partners on talent management and retention strategies, including performance recognition and career development.
  • Support organizational development initiatives including change management and team effectiveness interventions.
• Data, Analytics & Program Evaluation:
  • Develop and deploy measurement systems to track and report on program effectiveness, learner participation, and institutional impact; use findings and stakeholder feedback to improve learning programs.
  • Use needs assessments and gap analyses to identify and prioritize development opportunities, informing program design and talent strategy.
  • Design, administer, and analyze employee engagement and pulse surveys; translate findings into dashboards, executive summaries, and actionable recommendations that inform culture and retention strategies.
• Continuous Learning Culture, Engagement & Inclusion:
  • Promote a culture of continuous learning by increasing awareness, participation, and engagement in learning resources and professional and career development opportunities for all employees, faculty and staff.
  • Establish and support communities of practice that encourage collaboration, knowledge sharing, innovation, and ongoing professional learning among faculty and staff.
  • Design and implement employee experiences and resources that foster an inclusive, equitable, belonging-centered work environment.
  • Partner with T&I and organizational leaders…