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Director Leadership Development Jobs in Madison, WI

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Director Leadership Development information

See Madison, WI salary details

$16.1K

$96.4K

$179.4K

How much do director leadership development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for director leadership development in Madison, WI is $96,438.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,600.00 and $115,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of leadership development do?

A Director of Leadership Development is responsible for designing and implementing programs that cultivate leadership skills within an organization. They assess the current and future leadership needs, create training initiatives, and provide coaching to develop high-potential employees. Their role often involves collaborating with senior management to align leadership development with business strategy, measuring the impact of programs, and ensuring a strong succession pipeline. By fostering leadership growth, they help organizations adapt to change and achieve long-term success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of leadership development?

To thrive as a Director of Leadership Development, you need expertise in organizational development, talent management, and adult learning theory, often supported by a relevant master’s degree and experience in HR or leadership roles. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), assessment tools, and certifications such as SHRM-SCP or CPLP is highly valuable. Exceptional communication, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence and inspire others are standout soft skills for this position. These skills ensure effective leadership programs that drive organizational growth, foster high-potential talent, and support business objectives.

How does a director of leadership development typically collaborate with senior executives and department heads?

A Director of Leadership Development works closely with senior executives and department heads to assess organizational needs, identify leadership gaps, and design targeted training programs. This role often involves facilitating workshops, providing strategic guidance on succession planning, and aligning development initiatives with business objectives. Regular meetings and open communication are essential for ensuring that leadership programs support both company goals and individual leader growth. Collaboration also extends to tracking program effectiveness and making data-driven adjustments based on feedback from key stakeholders.

What is the difference between Director Leadership Development vs Learning and Development Manager?

AspectDirector Leadership DevelopmentLearning and Development Manager
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree in HR, Organizational Development, or related fields; certifications like CPLP or SHRM-SCP are commonSimilar educational background; certifications like CPLP or SHRM-CP are often preferred
Work EnvironmentStrategic leadership role, often overseeing leadership programs across the organizationOperational role, focusing on designing and implementing training programs
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors focusing on leadership growthCommon in corporate settings, especially in HR and training departments

The main difference is that the Director Leadership Development focuses on strategic leadership initiatives and organizational leadership growth, while the Learning and Development Manager handles day-to-day training programs and employee development activities. Both roles require similar credentials but differ in scope and strategic impact.

What are the most commonly searched types of Leadership Development jobs in Madison, WI?

The most popular types of Leadership Development jobs in Madison, WI are:

What cities near Madison, WI are hiring for Director Leadership Development jobs?

Cities near Madison, WI with the most Director Leadership Development job openings:

Infographic showing various Director Leadership Development job openings in Madison, WI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,438 per year, or $46.4 per hour.

Director Organizational Development

Stoughton Trailers

Stoughton, WI • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago


Stoughton Trailers rating

5.3

Company rating: 5.3 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

474th of 490 rated machine equipment manufacturers


Job description

The Director of Organizational Development is responsible for leading the enterprise talent and development strategy to strengthen organizational capability, leadership effectiveness, and employee performance. This role designs and executes scalable organizational development, leadership, and training initiatives that align with business strategy and drive measurable outcomes in engagement, retention, and productivity.
As a strategic partner to senior leadership, this role provides expertise in talent planning, leadership development, organizational effectiveness, and change management. The Director integrates development programs, communication strategies, and HR technology to build a high-performing, growth-oriented organization.
Key Responsibilities
Talent Strategy & Organizational Development
  • Own and lead the enterprise talent and organizational development strategy, including philosophy, multi-year roadmap, and supporting initiatives aligned to business goals
  • Partner with senior leaders to identify organizational capability gaps and design targeted solutions to enhance leadership effectiveness and workforce performance
  • Lead succession planning and talent review processes; build leadership pipelines and accelerate development of high-potential talent
  • Design and implement leadership development programs, including coaching, assessments, and structured learning experiences
  • Integrate behavioral competencies across the employee lifecycle, including hiring, onboarding, performance management, development, and retention
  • Develop and manage career development frameworks that support internal mobility and long-term talent growth

Training & Leadership Development
  • Lead the training and organizational development function; establish strategy and deliver programs that enable employees to perform at a high level
  • Conduct enterprise training and development needs assessments; design solutions that enhance employee performance and organizational effectiveness
  • Design, implement, and evaluate training programs across all levels of the organization, including leadership, frontline, and technical capabilities
  • Administer leadership assessments and design programs that reinforce continuous learning and development
  • Facilitate tailored development programs to address specific team, leadership, or organizational needs
  • Drive ongoing improvement of training methods, leveraging multimedia platforms and innovative learning approaches

Organizational Effectiveness & Change Management
  • Serve as a strategic advisor to leadership on organizational design, workforce planning, and change management initiatives
  • Lead and support enterprise change initiatives, including communication strategies, coaching, and adoption plans
  • Apply organizational assessment methodologies to diagnose issues and design targeted interventions to improve performance
  • Identify organizational risks (e.g., culture, morale, retention, productivity) and develop mitigation strategies
  • Lead or support cross-functional initiatives aimed at improving workforce performance and customer outcomes

Employee Experience & Communications
  • Develop and execute communication strategies that support talent initiatives and reinforce culture and engagement
  • Ensure consistent, high-impact messaging across the employee lifecycle using a broad mix of channels (digital, in-person, video, etc.)
  • Partner across HR and the business to drive awareness, understanding, and adoption of talent programs and expectations
  • Support onboarding and preboarding strategies to create consistent and engaging employee experience

Leadership Partnership & Advisory
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on performance, organizational, and leadership matters
  • Provide coaching and guidance on leading change, building high-performing teams, and improving organizational outcomes
  • Facilitate talent discussions, leadership alignment sessions, and cross-functional collaboration

Experience & Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred (Organizational Development, Human Resources, Business, Psychology, or related field)
  • 10+ years of progressive experience in organizational development, talent management, training, leadership development, and/or HR strategy
  • Demonstrated success designing and executing enterprise-wide development strategies and programs
  • Strong expertise in leadership development, change management, organizational design, and performance improvement
  • Proven ability to influence and partner with senior leaders on strategic initiatives
  • Experience conducting organizational assessments and translating insights into actionable solutions
  • Exceptional communication and presentation skills with the ability to engage diverse audiences
  • Strong project management capabilities with ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives
  • Experience with learning platforms, HR systems, and multimedia training tools

Core Competencies
  • Strategic thinking and business acumen
  • Change management and organizational effectiveness
  • Leadership development and coaching
  • Data-driven decision making
  • Collaboration and influence
  • Continuous improvement mindset

Success Profile
  • Builds scalable leadership and development programs that strengthen organizational capability
  • Improves leadership effectiveness, employee performance, and succession readiness
  • Drives adoption of change initiatives with measurable business impact
  • Enhances employee experience through intentional development and communication strategies
  • Aligns talent development strategy directly to business growth and operational priorities

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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