Manager of Learning & Development

Johnson Outdoors • Racine, WI

1d • Onsite

About The Position

At Johnson Outdoors, home to some of the world’s most innovative and best-known outdoor recreation brands, we create amazing outdoor experiences - for adventurers, by adventurers. Check out each of the unique Johnson Outdoor brands in Fishing , Watercraft , Camping and Diving ! With 1,300 employees, 19 global facility locations and selling into over 80 countries, the Manager of Learning & Development leads the vision, architecture, and execution of the Enterprise Learning & Development (L&D) function at Johnson Outdoors. Owns enterprise learning frameworks, including foundational education on change management principles. Ensures our workforce is "future-ready" by bridging current skill gaps and anticipating the capabilities needed for long-term growth. By balancing high-touch internal solutions with technology-enabled platforms including UKG Pro Learning and strategic vendor partnerships, delivers scalable, high-impact development that fuels individual career growth and organizational performance. Located at our beautiful Headquarters along Lake Michigan in downtown Racine: 555 Main Street, Racine, WI.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, organizational development, education, business management, or equivalent.
• Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of experience in learning & development, including independently designing, building, and scaling new L&D programs, facilitating adult learning for a diverse global workforce, leading LMS execution and optimization, and managing external vendor partnership.
• Mastery of adult learning principles, instructional design models, and human-centered design to ensure solutions are intuitive and learner-focused.
• Ability to design for multiple modalities—virtual, in-person, micro-learning, and social learning.
• Strong consulting skills with the ability to translate complex business needs into performance-based learning pathways.
• Resilience and agility to lead others through organizational evolution in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to build credibility and influence for L&D investments and cultural shifts.
• Digital fluency with advanced knowledge of LMS/HCM platforms, and content authoring tools.
• Proficiency in leveraging AI tools to accelerate content development, personalize learning experiences, and automate administrative L&D tasks.
• Proficient in using L&D metrics and KPI's to measure behavior change, proficiency gains, and program ROI.
• Sharp organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously.
• Strong negotiation and contract management skills to ensure high-quality, cost-effective external solutions.
• Artificial Intelligence Working knowledge of AI concepts and practical business applications relevant to the role.
• Ability to use AI‑enabled tools to support analysis, planning, communication, and problem solving.
• Understanding of responsible AI principles, including data privacy, security, and bias awareness.
• Ability to review, validate, and appropriately apply AI‑generated outputs.
• Comfort learning and adapting as AI tools and capabilities evolve.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership Develops and executes the L&D roadmap, strategies and frameworks that directly support strategic business objectives and talent needs.
• Identifies emerging skill requirements and leads upskilling and reskilling initiatives to ensure workforce agility.
• Manages and optimizes UKG Learning and other L&D technologies, maximizing automation and user engagement.
• Partners with legal, HR and other internal teams to ensure compliance training needs are identified, integrated and effectively delivered.
• Develops and delivers foundational education on change management principles and tools to help leaders support change effectively.
• Partners with Enterprise Program Management to integrate change management principles into the execution of enterprise projects and initiatives.
• Design & Content Innovation Translates technical expertise from subject matter experts into intuitive, performance-based learning pathways.
• Develops high-quality content using a blended learning ecosystem approach including internally developed content, technology-enabled modules in UKG Pro Learning and other platforms, AI-assisted content creation, virtual workshops, and self-paced modules.
• Sources and manages external training partners to provide best-in-class resources that complement internal offerings.
• Ensures training materials are accessible, engaging, and resonate with a diverse workforce.
• Career Growth & Talent Mobility Partners with HR and business leaders to understand capability needs and talent priorities and build role-specific frameworks and pathways.
• Develops career development resources that enable employee growth and internal mobility.
• Organizational Excellence & Coaching Facilitates high-impact coaching and leadership labs to strengthen bench strength and enhance leadership development initiatives.
• Conducts rigorous assessments and analysis to ensure L&D investments address critical business needs and drive performance.
• L&D Operations & Culture Establishes and reports on KPIs (such as skill proficiency gains, ROI, and employee retention impact) to demonstrate business value.
• Manages the L&D budget and vendor lifecycle to ensure cost-effectiveness and high service levels.
• Champions a continuous learning mindset that aligns with Johnson Outdoors’ core values and innovation-driven culture.
• Artificial Intelligence Appropriately uses enterprise‑approved AI tools to improve efficiency, quality, analysis, and execution within the scope of the role.
• Applies sound professional judgment and maintains appropriate human oversight when using AI‑generated outputs.
• Incorporates AI‑enabled insights into workflows, decision making, and communication where it adds value.
• Ensures AI usage aligns with company standards for security, privacy, and ethical use.
• Other: Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Share in the company’s success with competitive base salary with additional earning potential through participation in the management bonus program, and eligibility for annual pay increases.
• Find work/life balance with generous Paid Time Off and holiday benefits, a full benefits package, and broad range of employee support and fitness and wellness plans.
• Further your career with performance development and training opportunities, including our tuition assistance program.
• Have fun at work, enjoy a collaborative and casual work environment, participating in fun company events, and taking advantage of great employee discounts on all our outdoor recreational products.
• Plan for your future with our 401(k) with company match and deferred retirement contributions, Sons & Daughters Scholarship program, college savings program, life and LTD insurance, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees