Learning and Development Specialist

Overview

At Upbring, our team is united by a shared mission: to break the cycle of child abuse and advance the wellbeing of children, families and communities, empowering them to thrive. As servant-leaders, we lead by example, working passionately to create a brighter future for those we serve.  Every day, we strive to embody our core values:

• We are Warriors: Fierce, resilient, and courageous, we face challenges head-on with unwavering loyalty and passion.
• We are Servants: We dedicate ourselves to serving others, empowering those around us to thrive.
• We are Family: We work together as a supportive, caring community, creating a sense of belonging and strength.

Joining Upbring means becoming part of a family of passionate individuals who are fearless in their pursuit of lasting change. Together, we are making a difference, one life at a time.

Your Mission in Action

The Learning & Development (L&D) Specialist enhances Upbring’s learning culture by designing, delivering, and evaluating engaging training solutions for employees both virtually and in person. This role collaborates with the People and Culture team and internal stakeholders to support talent development, skills assessment, performance management, employee engagement, and culture initiatives while maintaining the Learning Management System (LMS) and assessing training effectiveness. Additionally, the Specialist oversees training logistics, including organizing conferences, managing vendor communications and payments, and maintaining training resources and supports ongoing initiatives to improve new and current employee experiences.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and facilitate engaging employee training programs aligned with organizational goals, including monthly and quarterly learning initiatives that build critical skills and capabilities
• Deliver dynamic in-person and virtual training sessions using interactive facilitation techniques, storytelling, and active listening to drive engagement and knowledge retention
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and refine New Employee Orientation, safety, and compliance training programs, strengthening onboarding effectiveness and employee readiness
• Foster team building and in-person employee development through workshops, leadership sessions, and collaborative learning experiences that strengthen culture and connection
• Maintain and evolve career pathing programs to support employee growth, internal mobility, and long-term development
• Conduct training needs assessments through surveys, focus groups, and skills gap analyses to inform targeted learning strategies
• Analyze training data and employee feedback to continuously improve learning experiences and engagement initiatives
• Develop and maintain dashboards and reporting to measure the effectiveness and business impact of Learning & Development programs
• Work in collaboration with the Leadership Development Manager to manage the Learning Management System, including system design, user training, process improvements, and standard operating procedures
• Leverage LMS tools to increase engagement through gamification, content strategy, and learning campaign execution
• Maintain and update training calendars, course offerings, and learning resources to ensure accessibility and consistency
• Plan and execute large-scale learning events, including the annual Upbring Leader Summit, managing logistics, vendors, and budgets
• Partner with internal teams, leadership, and external vendors to align training initiatives with organizational priorities
• Coordinate communication across stakeholders to ensure seamless delivery of programs and initiatives
• Maintain training resources, inventory, and materials to support in-person and virtual learning environments
• Manage L&D communications, including employee inquiries and shared inbox support
• Provide operational and administrative support to ensure the smooth execution of all training programs

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Education, Organization Development, or another related field; and/or combination of education and relevant experience in lieu of degree
• One (1) year of experience in Human Resources, Education, or Employee Training and Development
• One (1) year of experience developing and facilitating virtual and in-person training
• One (1) year experience using a Learning Management System
• Working knowledge of Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation (ADDIE) or similar model
• Experience developing and managing employee engagement programs, professional development initiatives, or HR-related processes to enhance workplace culture and retention
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build relationships, foster collaboration, and create an inclusive and engaging work environment
• Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks effectively, and ensure the successful execution of employee development initiatives
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams to design and implement learning programs that support employee growth
• Ability to analyze employee engagement and training data, track key metrics, and use insights to improve learning and development strategies

Preferred Qualifications

• Two (2) years of experience of developing and facilitating virtual and in-person trainings
• Two (2) years of experience in Human Resources, Education, or Employee Training and Development
• UKG HRIS and/or LMS experience
• ATD or other training management certification
• Instructional Design experience
• SHRM or HRCI certification
• Knowledge of assessment tools and usage, individual and group assessment strategies, and action plan development
• Experience with programs such as Canva, Tableau, and AI content authoring tools such as Articulate or Synthesia

Travel

• This position may be required to travel up to 25%

Perks at Upbring 

• Competitive PTO & paid holidays 
• Health, dental, vision insurance & more  
• 403(b) Plan
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Discounted Gym Memberships  

Physical Demands & Work Conditions

• This position requires sitting and looking and using a computer for long periods of time
• Position may have exposure to children
• Position requires frequent standing, walking and time being mobile to coordinate events
• Lift, push, pull, move up to 25 lbs.

The physical requirements for this position with or without reasonable accommodation are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. While performing this position the employee with or without reasonable accommodation should have the ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, speak, and hear with aid, see, read, reach with arms and hands, lift and/or move up to specified weight, and use equipment that is essential to performing the job, such as a computer, copier, fax machine, telephone, and automobile, if applicable. Specific vision requirements of this position may include color vision, seeing things close up, and the ability to adjust focus.

Upbring is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

#INDSJ1