Senior Manager, Learning & Development

W.W. Grainger • Lake Forest, IL

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Learning and Development provides strategic, active leadership and builds and delivers strategies that enable organizational capability, leadership development, and business performance for the aligned business unit. The role partners closely with HR, business unit leaders, and the Talent COE to assess learning needs, diagnose capability gaps, and design impactful development programs aligned to strategy and culture. The manager leads the creation and delivery of scalable, inclusive programs using instructional design principles, adult learning theory, and digital technologies, incorporating experiential, social, and digital approaches to create engaging, outcome-focused learning experiences. Acting as a trusted advisor, the role integrates learning with succession planning, performance management, and change initiatives while measuring effectiveness and refining programs to ensure learning remains a key enabler of success. The role may act as a people leader. This position is Hybrid requiring 3 days per week onsite at either the Lake Forest, IL headquarters or Chicago, IL Merchandise Mart office.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Education, Business Administration, or related field required
• 7+ years in progressive leadership roles, enterprise learning strategy, consulting, instructional design, analytics, and working in complex global environments required
• Strong ability to assess learning gaps and translate findings into actionable development strategies.
• Deep understanding of adult learning principles, blended learning, and digital learning tools.
• Skilled at building credibility, influencing decisions, and partnering with leaders at all levels.
• Uses data and insight to identify root causes and craft evidence-based solutions.
• Ability to connect learning initiatives to business outcomes and strategic priorities.
• Familiar with modern LMS/LXP platforms, virtual facilitation, and emerging learning tools.
• Understands business operations, performance levers, and how people strategy drives results.

Nice To Haves

• Master's Degree in Organizational Development, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, or Learning Design preferred

Responsibilities

• Develops and executes leadership development strategy by aligning programs with business and HR priorities to build organizational capability.
• Diagnoses capability gaps and defines learning priorities to advise on talent strategies that strengthen organizational effectiveness.
• Leads creation and delivery of scalable, inclusive programs by applying instructional design principles, adult learning theory, and digital technologies.
• Incorporates experiential, social, and digital approaches to ensure learning experiences are engaging and outcome-focused.
• Acts as a trusted advisor by integrating learning initiatives with succession planning, performance management, and change efforts to drive business results.
• Conducts needs analyses and measures effectiveness and ROI to refine programs based on analytics and feedback for continuous improvement.
• Designs and executes programs that prepare high-potential talent for key roles to strengthen leadership capabilities at all levels.
• Promotes learning strategies that support strategic goals to foster organizational growth and long-term success.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans with coverage starting on day one of employment and 6 free sessions each year with a licensed therapist to support your emotional wellbeing.
• 18 paid time off (PTO) days annually for full-time employees (accrual prorated based on employment start date) and 6 company holidays per year.
• 6% company contribution to a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan each pay period, no employee contribution required.
• Employee discounts, tuition reimbursement, student loan refinancing and free access to financial counseling, education, and tools.
• Maternity support programs, nursing benefits, and up to 14 weeks paid leave for birth parents and up to 4 weeks paid leave for non-birth parents.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees