Learning and Development Specialist

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

For over 160 years, the University of Washington has been a hub for learning, innovation, problem solving and community building. Supporting this legacy and important public mission—with the goal of making the UW the world’s greatest public university, as measured by positive impact—guides everything we do in University Advancement . Bringing together development; alumni and stakeholder engagement; marketing and communications; and advancement operations, we advance the UW’s impact by developing meaningful connections that foster pride, advocacy and philanthropic support.

This starts with creating a culture of belonging within our organization that values the diverse experiences and expertise of our team members, allowing everyone to thrive and to contribute their unique talents as we strive to achieve our shared goals.

University Advancement People & Culture has an outstanding opportunity for a Learning & Development Specialist. This is a full-time permanent position.   

The People & Culture (PaC) team is responsible for Advancement talent and human resources management for over 700 staff across 25 units and three campuses. The Learning and Development (L&D) Specialist will partner with PaC employees and stakeholders to develop, manage, and deliver educational curriculum in alignment with University of Washington Advancement overarching organizational strategy.

The L&D Specialist is a results-driven, influential thought leader who builds and champions learning initiatives across the dynamic, ever-changing, fast-paced world of University Advancement. In this role, the L&D Specialist will leverage strong instructional design, program management, project management, and facilitation skills to develop and deploy employee and leadership development programs across Advancement. This role will need to conduct needs analysis to identify skill and resource gaps within Advancement as well as evaluate the effectiveness of existing programs.

This is an evolving role, with opportunities to reimagine training delivery methods, foster collaboration, and to continuously innovate. This position both works independently on projects and partners with stakeholders across roles, teams, and locations.

What You Will Do:

Instructional Design (25%)

• Demonstrate competency in adult-learning theory, human-centered design, and instructional design models such as ADDIE, SAM, and AGILE.
• Design and develop engaging and effective courseware using a variety of learning modalities including eLearning, videos, and instructor-led training.
• Demonstrate proficiency in Articulate 360, Canva, PowToons, Vyond or equivalent rapid eLearning and video creation tools.
• Intermediate experience publishing and tracking eLearning SCORM or Tin Can-compliant courses in a Learning Management System.
• Maintain high-quality standards and adhere to accessibility and branding requirements for the design and development of curricula and programs.
• Identify training needs by conducting needs assessments and consulting with leaders and stakeholders across the organization.

Program Management (25%)

• Own the end-to-end life cycle of employee and leadership development programs.
• Lead assigned learning programs by planning, scheduling, and managing logistics for training events.
• Promote learning programs by sending email communications, updating intranet pages, and coordinating with the Marketing and Communications team.
• Evaluate and measure the effectiveness of learning programs using surveys, assessments, learner feedback sessions, Learning Management System reports, and other methods as needed.
• Gain a full working knowledge of each business unit and build relationships across the organization to ensure the relevancy of learning programs.
• Optimize, redesign, and/or revamp curricula as needed, including curating learning and development resources and content for all Advancement.
  

Facilitation (20%)

• Serve as the primary facilitator for assigned learning programs.
• Conduct training sessions virtually or in-person depending on program need.
• Maintain high-quality standards and adhere to industry best practices for the delivery and facilitation of curricula and programs.
• Assess learner feedback and implement changes to evolve training delivery and facilitation.
• Serve as a model for diversity and inclusion excellence; innovate in diversity, equity, and inclusion work to build a culture of belonging both inside and outside the classroom.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate other programs as needed.
  

Project Management (15%)

• Accurately scope project effort, scope, and timelines.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans with due dates, deliverables, and related tasks using project management software.
• Manage content development workflow processes including working with subject matter experts, conducting content reviews, and ensuring on time delivery.
• Manage special projects as needed.
  

Administrative (10%)

• Coordinate physical logistics for L&D workshops/retreats, special events, and meetings as requested, including setup and breakdown and any onsite problem resolution.
• Manage L&D equipment and learning supplies inventory.
• Help maintain the Learning Management System (LMS) including adding new users, publishing courses, building learning paths, and generating LMS reports.
  

Other duties as assigned (5%)

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Instructional Design, Content Management, Human Resources, or related field AND four years of experience in content development, training, or related field.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

What You Bring:

• Experience designing and facilitating courses and programs.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Technical aptitude with learning new technologies.
• Ability to work effectively with all levels of an organization.
• Demonstrated computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  

What You Can Expect:

• You will work with an open-minded and inclusive team that values diversity.
• Cubicle/open workspace environment which may result in additional or higher levels of noise and visual distractions.

About Organization

Founded in 1861, the University of Washington is one of the oldest state-supported institutions of higher education on the West Coast and is one of the preeminent research universities in the world. Located minutes from downtown Seattle, the main UW campus provides gorgeous views of the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges and, every spring, attracts visitors from all over to world who come to witness the blooming of its cherry blossom trees.

As the state’s flagship university, the UW serves more students than any other institution in the Northwest. In addition to its Seattle campus, the University has thriving campuses in Tacoma and Bothell and a robust professional and continuing education program.

Anyone can enjoy and be enriched by all the UW has to offer, including world-class libraries, art, music, drama, sports and the highest quality medical care in Washington state.

Being public also means being engaged with our communities, and through knowledge and discovery we are elevating the quality of lives of others.