Manager, Talent & Organizational Development

Shedd Aquarium•Chicago, IL

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Manager of Talent & Organizational Development designs, delivers, and sustains high-impact talent development, coaching, and facilitation experiences that strengthen individual capability, team effectiveness, and organizational health across Shedd Aquarium. This role is heavily focused on leadership coaching, mentoring, and consultation, serving as a trusted thought partner to leaders at all levels of the organization. In addition, the Manager designs and facilitates impactful learning experiences, including the development and delivery of engaging, inclusive programs that support staff and leaders across the Aquarium. Grounded in adult learning principles and organizational development best practices, and a commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, inclusion, and justice (DEAIJ), this role partners closely with leaders, HR colleagues, and subject matter experts to assess needs, develop effective solutions, and foster a strong, sustainable culture of learning aligned with Shedd Aquarium’s mission, values, and operational priorities.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in leadership development, organizational effectiveness, learning and development, employee engagement, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience providing leadership coaching and mentoring to managers and leaders.
Demonstrated experience facilitating adult learning programs, workshops, and courses.
Strong knowledge of adult learning principles, instructional design, facilitation methods, and learning evaluation practices.
Proven success designing and implementing development programs that drive behavioral change and organizational impact.
Experience using Learning Management Systems (LMS) and learning technologies.
Experience maintaining, evaluating, and evolving curricula based on organizational needs.
Advanced coaching, facilitation, and consulting skills.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and credibility across diverse roles and perspectives.
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
High level of adaptability, collaboration, and emotional intelligence.
Strong project management, planning, and prioritization skills.
Proficiency with HR, learning, and collaboration platforms and tools.

Nice To Haves

Professional certification in HR, learning and development, or coaching (e.g., SHRM, PHR, CPTD, ICF).

Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted coach and advisor to leaders, providing one-on-one and group coaching that enhances leadership effectiveness, emotional intelligence, communication, and team performance.
Partner with managers and teams to navigate organizational challenges inclusive of change management, performance concerns, conflict, engagement, and collaboration.
Design and implement structured coaching and mentoring initiatives that support leadership growth, talent development, and succession planning.
Consult with leaders to assess individual, team, and organizational development needs and recommend operationally applicable solutions aligned with departmental priorities.
Support leaders in applying learning to real-time workplace challenges, reinforcing sustainable behavior change and skill transfer.
Contribute to employee engagement and culture-building efforts through leadership development strategies and coaching-centered initiatives.
Facilitate engaging, inclusive learning experiences for frontline staff, supervisors, professionals, and senior leaders.
Design, implement, and continuously improve leadership and organizational development programs in collaboration with the Sr. Director of Leadership & Organizational Effectiveness.
Conduct learning needs assessments and partner with departments to identify priorities and create impactful learning solutions.
Utilize a variety of learning methodologies and delivery approaches, including instructor-led facilitation, workshops, blended learning, e-learning, and experiential/on-the-job learning.
Collaborate with subject matter experts to ensure learning content is accurate, relevant, and aligned with institutional goals.
Manage and maintain course offerings within the Learning Management System (LMS), including content updates, enrollment, tracking, and reporting.
Stay current on trends, research, and best practices in leadership development, facilitation, organizational development, and employee engagement.