Learning & Development Specialist

THE AREA FOUNDATION

The Area Foundation serves as the community’s most trusted and impactful philanthropic partner, managing more than 500 charitable funds totaling $1.3 billion in assets. Coordinating efforts with numerous area nonprofits, the Area Foundation serves as a collaborative leader, connecting donors to address key community issues and investing in our future. Since 1964, over $900 million for scholarships and grants have been awarded to close opportunity gaps for those who need it most in San Antonio. Learn more about your community foundation at saafdn.org.

Our core values are Excellence, Passion, Integrity, and Community. 

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

The Learning & Development Specialist serves as the lead individual contributor for assigned Learning & Development programs and learning pathways. Reporting to the Director of Learning & Development, this position is responsible for program planning, facilitator and partner coordination, curriculum alignment, program evaluation, and continuous improvement efforts that strengthen nonprofit capacity throughout the community. The Specialist provides program direction and implementation guidance to the Learning & Development Coordinator while remaining an individual contributor role. This is not a supervisory position.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Strategy & Planning

• Lead planning and coordination of assigned Learning & Development programs, learning pathways, certificate programs, workshops, and special initiatives.

• In partnership with the Director of Learning and Development, maintain, and recommend updates to the annual Learning & Development program calendar based on organizational goals, community needs, facilitator availability, and learner demand.

• Identify opportunities to expand or improve learning offerings that strengthen nonprofit capacity-building initiatives.
• Ensure assigned program objectives, learning outcomes, timelines, and deliverables align with the Foundation's Learning & Development strategy and mission.

Facilitator & Partner Management

• Serve as the primary relationship manager for facilitators, instructors, consultants, subject matter experts, and external learning partners.

• Coordinate facilitator recruitment, onboarding, scheduling, engagement, expectations, and feedback to support successful program delivery.

• Coordinate the development, review, execution, and tracking of facilitator agreements, MOUs, service contracts, deliverables, and timelines in accordance with organizational policies.

• Cultivate collaborative relationships with nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and community partners to support program development and participant engagement.

Curriculum & Learning Design

• Coordinate curriculum development, course updates, and content review to ensure materials remain relevant, engaging, accurate, accessible, and aligned with learner needs.

• Collaborate with facilitators and internal stakeholders to establish learning objectives, learner activities, delivery methods, and participant outcomes.

• Review and recommend enhancements to instructional content, program flow, and learning materials to ensure consistency and quality across learning programs.

• Partner with the Learning & Development Coordinator to ensure approved curriculum, course materials, digital resources, certificates, and learner communications are accurately reflected in learning systems.

Program Evaluation & Continuous Improvement

• Analyze participant feedback, learning outcomes, enrollment trends, attendance patterns, and program performance metrics to identify themes and improvement opportunities.

• Prepare program summaries, recommendations, and outcome reports for the Director of Learning & Development and other internal stakeholders.

• Monitor effectiveness of assigned programs and recommend improvements to curriculum, facilitator engagement, learner experience, scheduling, and operational processes.

• Support innovation, efficiency, consistency, and increased community impact through data-informed continuous improvement practices.

  Cross-Functional Leadership & Department Support  

• Provide program direction, implementation priorities, and guidance to the Learning & Development Coordinator regarding assigned programs, timelines, deliverables, and learner support needs.

• Coordinate cross-functional efforts with Finance, Marketing & Communications, Information Technology, Community Engagement, and other departments to support successful program implementation.

• Partner with Marketing & Communications to develop promotional timelines, review program content, and ensure program information is accurate and timely.

• Support departmental planning, special projects, funding support processes, and strategic initiatives as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in adult education, nonprofit management, organizational development, education, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.

• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in learning and development, workforce development, adult education, nonprofit capacity building, professional development, or program management preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Ability to adapt to evolving technologies and organizational systems, including a commitment to continuous learning and applying new tools, platforms, and processes to support the Foundation’s mission.
• Actively participate in Collaborative Business Planning (CBP) by working across departments, maintaining accurate project information in Monday.com, and supporting organization-wide priorities through timely collaboration and shared accountability. 

• Experience coordinating professional learning programs, facilitator relationships, curriculum updates, program evaluation, or community learning initiatives.

• Ability to analyze program data, participant feedback, learning outcomes, and trends to recommend improvements.

• Strong project management, relationship-building, written communication, presentation, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
• Ability to provide clear program direction and guidance without direct supervisory authority.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, learning management systems, project management tools, and related software. 
• Knowledge of adult learning principles, instructional design, nonprofit capacity building, and learner-centered program delivery preferred. 

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Commitment to Mission & Values

• Strategic Thinking

• Program Ownership

• Relationship Building

• Collaboration

• Continuous Improvement

• Accountability

• Learner-Centered Service

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Hybrid work environment with occasional travel for training delivery and nonprofit engagement.
• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs. for training materials and equipment.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

POSITION GRADE: 2

The San Antonio Area Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Please visit to submit your resume and application.