Director of Learning & Development - Rykowski

Heritage Financial Credit Union•Middletown, NY

15d•$100,000 - $125,000

About The Position

Join Heritage Financial Credit Union as Director of Learning & Development Are you a seasoned Learning & Development leader with a background in credit unions or financial services? Do you have a knack for blending strategy and creativity to craft impactful learning experiences that drive employee growth and career development? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you to make a real difference and transform our credit union’s L&D programs! Here's a little about us: Heritage Financial Credit Union is a member-owned financial institution that is committed to helping our members achieve their financial goals and building a stronger community. We believe that everyone deserves access to affordable financial services, and we are dedicated to providing our members with the tools and resources they need to achieve their financial dreams. Our vision is to be the leading financial institution in the communities we serve, and we are committed to creating a culture of excellence where our employees can thrive. We believe in creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected, and where we can all work together to achieve our goals. We recognize that our employees are our most important asset, and we are committed to providing them with the training, development, and opportunities they need to succeed. Our values are at the heart of everything we do. We believe in: Integrity: We are honest and trustworthy in all of our dealings with our members, employees, and the community. Excellence: We strive to provide our members with the best possible service. Teamwork: We believe that we can achieve more together than we can alone. Respect: We treat each other with dignity and respect. Community: We are committed to giving back to the communities we serve. If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding career in the financial services industry with a company that is committed to its mission, vision and values, we encourage you to apply for a position at Heritage Financial Credit Union. Here you will find a supportive and collaborative work environment where you can make a difference in the lives of our members and our community. POSITION PURPOSE The Director of Learning & Development is a strategic and creative leader responsible for shaping how employees experience growth, learning, and career development with the Credit Union. This role leads the design and delivery of engaging, inclusive, and high-impact learning experiences that empower every employee to thrive. In partnership with SVP, HR and other Senior Leadership, the Director defines and executes a holistic L&D strategy that connects employee development to business priorities, organizational culture, and our values. They ensure every employee has access to meaningful opportunities to learn and grow through experiences that inspire curiosity, confidence, and contribution. This leader will transform learning from a one-time event to an ongoing employee experience, integrating skill development, strong operational, procedure and compliance excellence, coaching, feedback, and performance into daily work. By designing programs that are personalized, measurable, and purpose-driven, the Director of Learning & Development ensures that our people feel supported, challenged, and prepared to deliver exceptional value and service to our members and communities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Development, Organizational Psychology, Education, Business Administration, Finance or a related field required (Master’s degree in one of the above disciplines is strongly preferred).
Professional certifications such as CPLP, SHRM-SCP, or equivalent are an asset.
Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive experience in Learning & Development, Talent Management, or Organizational Development within a credit union, banking environment or financial services required.
At least three (3) years of people leadership experience, including building, coaching, and leading teams through change and growth.
Demonstrated success designing and executing enterprise-wide learning strategies that produce measurable business and cultural outcomes.
Proven record of developing, implementing, and evaluating learning programs grounded in adult learning principles and modern learning methodologies.
Exceptional facilitation, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change, build programs from the ground up, and secure senior leadership sponsorship for learning initiatives.
Strong business acumen, with the ability to interpret financial and operational data to align learning solutions with organizational goals.
Strategic and analytical thinker who connects learning outcomes to performance, productivity, and culture metrics.
Highly skilled in facilitation and presentation, capable of delivering engaging, inclusive, and results-driven learning experiences across diverse audiences.
Culturally competent, emotionally intelligent, and adept at building trust-based partnerships across departments and levels.
Experience designing and delivering blended, digital, and virtual learning solutions, including leveraging LMS and e-learning technologies.
Strong data literacy with the ability to analyze metrics, evaluate training impact, and translate insights into action.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, LMS administration, and survey/feedback platforms (e.g., Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey).
Thorough understanding of banking operations, regulatory principles, and compliance standards.
Must obtain and maintain a working knowledge of Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) requirements and related compliance obligations, collaborating with the designated BSA Officer to ensure full adherence.

Nice To Haves

Professional certifications such as CPLP, SHRM-SCP, or equivalent are an asset.
Master’s degree in one of the above disciplines is strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a comprehensive L&D strategy that supports business objectives, organizational culture, and talent development priorities.
Partner with the SVP, HR and Senior Leaders to assess capability gaps, build development roadmaps, and define success measures for leadership and career pathways.
Serve as a thought partner in succession planning, talent reviews, and workforce readiness, ensuring learning solutions drive measurable impact.
Lead the creation of scalable learning frameworks, including onboarding, leadership development, compliance training, and technical skill-building programs.
Leverage technology, data, and modern learning methodologies (e.g., microlearning, blended learning, experiential learning) to drive engagement and retention.
Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including vendors and consultants, to leverage resources and expertise in implementing learning initiatives.
Evaluate and continuously improve learning effectiveness through metrics, feedback, consultations, and performance outcome with leaders and employees.
Stay current with industry trends and best practices in learning and organizational development to continuously enhance our training offerings.
In addition to strategic responsibilities, the Director will facilitate select training sessions, particularly in leadership, culture, and professional development, to model best practices and maintain a strong connection to learners.
Partner with Retail and Operations leaders to ensure frontline teams are trained and confident in delivering outstanding member experiences in a Universal Associate model.
Build training programs that enhance service, sales, and problem-solving capabilities.
Reinforce process knowledge, product expertise, and operational consistency to ensure excellence in every interaction.
Collaborate with Risk/Compliance to design and guide in the enhancement or creation of regulatory and compliance training that supports safe, sound, and ethical practices.
Partners with Risk, Audit, and Compliance teams to ensure mandatory training is effective, timely, and engaging.
Integrate compliance awareness into everyday learning and leadership expectations.
Build, inspire, and develop a high-performing L&D team inclusive of Trainer and Specialist.
Support organizational change initiatives by designing learning interventions that accelerate adoption and engagement.
Partner with HR and leaders to drive cultural transformation and learning experiences that reinforce our values and behaviors and integrates our mission, vision and values into all learning experiences.
Model a learner-first mindset, fostering a safe, innovative environment where people can grow.
Leverage modern learning platforms, data, and analytics to track outcomes and improve delivery.
Introduce creative, flexible learning experiences (e.g., microlearning, blended, digital) to meet diverse learning styles.
Continuously evaluate emerging tools and trends to evolve the learning ecosystem.