Director, Talent Development (Office of Human Resources)

About Urban Institute:
At the Urban Institute, we believe in the power of evidence to improve lives and strengthen communities. As a nonprofit focusing on social and economic policy, our researchers and policy entrepreneurs open minds, shape decisions, and identify transformative solutions to the most pressing issues of our time.

Our Mission
To open minds, shape decisions, and offer solutions through economic and social policy research.

Our Values
Collaboration, Equity, Inclusivity, Independence, and Integrity

For more information on the Urban Institute, please visit https://www.urban.org.

The Opportunity:
Central to Urban’s mission is fostering a truly inclusive community that ensures ongoing relevance to a changing world. Urban’s Human Resources Office seeks a director, talent development, responsible for leading the design, execution, and facilitation of onboarding, mentoring, and core skills trainings, as well as supporting and administering Urban’s performance management processes and career pathways framework and competencies.

The director will report directly to the vice president of human resources & chief administrative officer and will supervise, coach, and lead the Talent Development team. This role will also work to strengthen Urban Institute’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion through the talent development function. Successful candidates will have demonstrated their ability to fulfill the role by working collaboratively to build strong relationships, being meticulous, and demonstrating an understanding of organizational needs and strategies.

What You’ll Do:
Design, develop, implement, and lead the organization-wide talent development strategy programs, and initiatives to include onboarding, performance management and learning and development.
Lead the administration, execution, and strategy for the performance review and promotion cycles and processes.

Partner with the Training Committee to ensure that professional development and learning processes, programs and tools meet and sustain organizational needs.

Collaborate with the Vice President of HR on the execution of Urban’s goals on diversity, equity, and inclusion and ensure development programs and processes are in alignment with Urban’s Race and Equity Framework; develop ongoing support for employees in DEI competencies to ensure employees have access to resources for their success.

Consult and coach employees and managers on employee performance and development.
Oversee the curriculum roadmap, content development resources and training timeline to ensure all internal goals and timelines are met.

Refine and maintain the learning design and development processes, templates, collateral, and standards to ensure consistent and high-quality delivery of learning projects and programs.
Manage the measurement and reporting of learning design and development and performance management metrics.

Leverage talent development and performance management best practices and analyze data collected through internal evaluation to lead and implement continuous improvement efforts.
Lead, manage, coach, and supervise the talent development team in executing on talent development programs such as performance management, onboarding and orientation, mentoring and coaching, management and leadership trainings, and collaborating with and coaching subject matter experts.
Assess, design and deliver critical leadership programs and experiences that will shape the organization’s leadership culture.Support senior leadership in addressing training and development needs and opportunities in their units or functions.

Engage with leadership, the Training Committee, and other relevant groups to effectively assess and implement curriculum roadmap, identifying curriculum and business gaps, processes and training initiatives that support organizational strategies and goals

Drive the development of training materials and in-house curricula as necessary to promote organizational objectives and optimize staff performance; work with third party/external vendors where appropriate.
Coach, guide, and develop skill set of internal trainers to effectively deliver in-house trainings
Facilitate or co-facilitate professional development and skill-based trainings, such as interviewing and leadership and management skills
Participate in the preparation of annual training budget and manage talent development budget.

Who You Are:

The successful candidate will possess or demonstrate:

A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience and education in a discipline related to organizational development, training and development, human resource development, human resource management, or adult learning and education; Master’s degree preferred.

10 years of progressive experience in talent development, or equivalent business experience, with a proven track record of success.

5+ years of leadership experience directing a Talent Development team

Extensive experience with Kirkpatrick’s Four Levels of Training Evaluation and/or ROI Evaluation frameworks. Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) preferred.

Proven knowledge and experience with training delivery; implementation of adult learning theory; traditional and modern job training methods and techniques; and training evaluation and analysis.

Experience leading and managing performance review and promotion processes and writing and developing competencies.

Broad background implementing and executing talent development best practices, and learning and development strategies that align with business needs

Exceptional coaching and consulting skills, with demonstrated self-confidence and an ability to adapt content and conversations to meet the needs of the audience.

Experience managing and leading others.

Knowledge of HR policies/procedures and best practices and change management practices.

Ability to work with functional groups, internal stakeholders, and different levels of employees to effectively and professionally achieve results and promote a collaborative and supportive environment.

Ability to communicate with diplomacy, professionalism, and tact; excellent relationship management skills.
Proven ability to consistently manage, organize, and prioritize multiple tasks, projects, work assignments, and relationships to execute high-quality work with limited guidance; excellent attention to detail.

Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Experience managing a learning management system; Workday Learning a plus
Proficiency with MS Office applications.

 Note: as part of the interviewing process, candidates will be asked to demonstrate their facilitation skills.

What You’ll Experience:

No matter your role with Urban, you will contribute to meaningful work that makes a difference for people and communities across the country. And whether you call the Washington, DC area or elsewhere home, you can expect to be part of a welcoming and hybrid workplace. We are committed to cultivating a community and working in a manner defined by collaboration, equity, inclusivity, independence, and integrity.

Urban’s greatest asset is our people.

Urban is committed to supporting our staff’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being through a robust benefits package for yourself, eligible dependents, and domestic partners. It includes generous paid time off, including nine federal holidays, medical (including prescription), dental and vision insurance, and transit benefits. Urban is unique in that we offer 403(b) retirement plan participation immediately after you’re hired and a generous employer contribution after five months of service and 1,000 hours, with immediate vesting. You’ll also have access to a health advocate, personal finance coaching, an Employee Assistance Program, and educational assistance for undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

As a federal contractor, Urban will comply with Executive Order (EO) 14042 that requires federal contractors, subcontractors, and their respective employees to comply with Covid-19 vaccinations. All Urban Institute employees must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 by Januray 18, 2022, and comply with masking and distancing requirements, regardless of responsibilities or work location. New hires must also be fully vaccinated before starting work.  Employees may request exemption from vaccination against COVID-19 based on either a medical condition or a sincerely held religious belief that prevents them from being vaccinated.  Where such an exemption is approved, Urban will discuss with each employee potential accommodation.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned. This posting is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Urban management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

The Urban Institute is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, veteran status, pregnancy or family responsibilities, matriculation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected status under applicable law.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you have a physical and/or mental disability and are interested in applying for employment and need special accommodations to use our website to apply for a position, please contact Human Resources at [email protected]. Reasonable accommodation requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.