Learning and Development Specialist

Upbring•Austin, TX

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

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. 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.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

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

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