Professional Development Specialist

Professional Development Specialist

This position is responsible for providing engaging and adult learner focused professional development and training across the global organization. This includes developing, conducting and evaluating content across the organization. Professional Development Specialist works closely with leaders across the organization to assess talent growth potential, identify needs, select training methods and cost-effective venues/methods for learning and development opportunities. Once training has taken place, the position is also responsible for measuring and evaluating training and skill effectiveness and impact to provide a return on investment.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

• Determine professional development and training needs and best method of training program delivery to facilitate organizational wide global return on investment.
• Collaboratively develop and implement engaging and interactive content focused on adult learners with diverse backgrounds.
• Develop and implement robust on-going leadership development initiatives and facilitate on-boarding new leader development and assimilation.
• Interprets and communicates HR processes, policies, and programs to increase organizational effectiveness, oversee and influence roll-out and implementation of initiatives and change management strategies in consideration of group climate, culture, and environment.
• Continually review training and professional development opportunities to ensure a diverse, equitable, inclusive and highly qualified staff throughout the globe.
• Collaborate with DEI US and International to support organizational goals and training on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
• Supports growth and development initiatives to build talent management and retention.
• Provides guidance and assistance in daily processes such as on-boarding, off-boarding, training, and development.
• Serves as back-up to HR Generalist positions as needed.
• Ensures all plans and programs are in compliance with Federal, State and/or local requirements.
• Supports the organization's performance management process. Develop and implement on-going communications for an effective and balanced goal setting process with a clear link to the company's short and long-term goals. Assess and support annual performance appraisal.
• Creates and implements themed training to meet organizational development needs.
• Analyzes trends and current industry standards to develop and deliver robust training content to leverage Employer of Choice mindset.
• Priorities include not only the forecasting of new training needs, but also planning, implementing and reinforcing skills developed in current and previous staff training programs and securing Federal, Local and State Grants/funding for training and development.
• Responsible for researching training programs that would be part of an organization-wide individual training program.
• Ensures that a training schedule is in place, well publicized and delivered and in support of language justice initiatives to build engagement.
• In collaboration designs and conduct training sessions for various staff groups as needed and appropriate. Liaise with subject matter experts regarding instructional design.
• Supervises external consultants as needed and appropriate; provides oversight of training programs when external consultants are used and ensures that they meet the specific needs of AFSC.
• Oversee Tuition Reimbursement and Professional Development plans and approvals.
• Assist supervisors and staff in locating, prioritizing and assessing training experiences to meet individual training needs of the supervisee, which have been identified through the performance management process.
• Designs and carries-out evaluation of all training programs, which shall include immediate feedback, as well as follow-up feedback after 6 months and 1 year.
• Assists individual staff members in designing career development plans to meet their professional needs and capacities.
• Analyzes data for root cause analysis in identifying trends or gaps.
• Prepares budget plans and forecasts and manages costs accordingly. Ensures compliance with collective bargaining agreement compliance on professional development, tuition and training.
• Assists in leading events / program communications and engagement.
• Develop formal and informal mentoring and coaching programs, as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree in human resources, labor relations, business administration, or a related field or the equivalent in experience.

• Requires a minimum of at least three (3) years of human resources or Professional Development / training experience including knowledge of adult learning methods.
• A strong knowledge of organizational development theory and practice.
• Excellent teaching/presentation skills; experience in creating and conducting participatory learning experiences appropriate to specialized groups.
• Experience working with culturally diverse groups in training and leadership development.
• Demonstrated ability to develop management, supervisory and participant support for training and development. Evaluate training effectiveness and revise programs as needed.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including presentations to large groups.
• Demonstrated leadership ability; sound decision-making ability, ability to use good judgment.

• Ability to attend frequent evening and weekend meetings and to travel.
• Concern and support for those who experience oppression by virtue of gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, citizenship, minority status, disability, or sexual orientation. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff and be sensitive to their personnel needs.
• Experience working in an international organization preferred.
• Computer literate, familiar with various HRIS reporting systems, and demonstrated understanding of learning management information systems for development of the Human Resources statistical reporting and strategic planning.
• Commitment to Quaker values and testimonies. Understanding of and compatibility with the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.
• Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations, of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.

Compensation: Salary Family – Human Resources Generalist - ($50,000-$73,308), Exempt – Comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan; term life, accident and salary continuation insurances, defined benefit pension plan, plus fringe benefits; participation in unemployment and worker's compensation and social security.

The American Friends Service Committee is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of their religious affiliation, race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.

AFSC's Central Office and some of its offices in the U.S. are unionized workplaces. This position is not represented.

The American Friends Service Committee is a smoke-free workplace.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.