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Director Learning Development Jobs in Chicago, IL

Primera

Learning & Development Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

You'll partner with Operations, HR, Division Leaders, and Technical Directors to ensure employees ... You'll connect learning to business results . You will partner with leaders to ensure development ...

Northwestern University

Learning Engineer

Evanston, IL · On-site

$78/hr

Collaborate with the School of Communication's Director Learning Development and Academic Technology and the Directors and Associate Directors of the professional programs on workshops, documentation ...

Covetrus, Inc.

Learning Strategist (Sales)

Chicago, IL · On-site

Director, Learning Strategist Overview The Director, Learning Strategist serves as a strategic partner between the Learning & Development (L&D) organization and business units, driving alignment ...

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All JobsLearning Development JobsDirector Learning Development JobsDirector Learning Development Jobs in Chicago, IL

Director Learning Development information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$44.8K

$117K

$189.5K

How much do director learning development jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for director learning development in Chicago, IL is $117,048.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,200.00 and $136,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of Learning and Development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Learning and Development, you need expertise in instructional design, organizational development, and adult learning theory, often supported by a degree in education, HR, or a related field. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), e-learning authoring tools, and certifications like CPLP or SHRM-CP is typically required. Strategic thinking, leadership, and strong communication skills help you drive change and foster a culture of continuous learning. These skills and qualities are crucial for aligning learning initiatives with business goals and ensuring workforce development.

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

AspectDirector Learning DevelopmentLearning and Development Manager
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor’s degree in education, HR, or related field; often prefers advanced certifications like CPLP or ATD certificationsSimilar educational background; certifications like CPLP or ATD are common but less frequently required
Work EnvironmentStrategic leadership role overseeing multiple teams or departments, involved in high-level planningOperational role focused on implementing training programs and managing teams
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in large organizations across various industries, especially where training is a strategic priorityCommon in organizations of all sizes, often as a mid-level position within HR or Learning departments

The main difference between a Director Learning Development and a Learning and Development Manager lies in scope and seniority. The Director typically leads strategic initiatives and manages multiple teams, while the Manager focuses on executing training programs and day-to-day operations. Both roles require similar credentials but differ in responsibilities and organizational level.

How much do directors of training and development make?

Directors of training and development typically earn a median annual salary of around $100,000 to $150,000, depending on industry, experience, and location. They often oversee learning programs, manage teams, and require strong leadership and instructional design skills.

What is the 70/20/10 rule for learning and development?

The 70/20/10 rule for learning and development suggests that 70% of learning comes from on-the-job experiences, 20% from social interactions like coaching and mentoring, and 10% from formal training. As a Director of Learning Development, understanding this model helps design effective development programs that balance experiential learning with formal education.

What are the most common challenges faced by a Director of Learning and Development when implementing new training programs across an organization?

One of the main challenges for Directors of Learning and Development is gaining buy-in from both leadership and employees for new training initiatives. Balancing diverse learning needs across different departments while ensuring consistency in delivery can also be complex. Additionally, measuring the effectiveness of programs and demonstrating their impact on business outcomes often requires careful planning and ongoing evaluation. Successful Directors typically overcome these challenges through strong communication, collaboration with stakeholders, and leveraging data-driven approaches to tailor and refine development strategies.

What jobs pay 500,000 a year in the US?

In the US, high-paying roles such as executive positions (CEOs, CFOs, COOs), specialized surgeons, and certain investment bankers can earn $500,000 or more annually. Senior leadership roles in large corporations, successful entrepreneurs, and top-tier technology executives also often reach this compensation level, especially with bonuses and stock options.

What does a director of learning and development do?

A director of learning and development oversees an organization's training and educational programs to improve employee skills and performance. They design strategies, manage teams, and collaborate with leadership to align learning initiatives with business goals, often utilizing learning management systems and requiring strong leadership and communication skills.
What are the most commonly searched types of Learning Development jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Learning Development jobs in Chicago, IL are:
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What job categories do people searching Director Learning Development jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Director Learning Development jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Director Learning Development jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Director Learning Development job openings:
Director Learning Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Learning Development job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $117,048 per year, or $56.3 per hour.
Learning & Development Manager

Learning & Development Manager

Primera

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Retirement

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
WHO WE ARE
We're a people-first organization. We value knowledge and learning. We believe in the power of connection and collaboration, and we seek to build relationships that mean something. We employ some of the best and brightest in the industry and we work hard to maintain a culture that our people can be proud of.
WORKING FOR PRIMERA
Our Corporate division is a talented team of experts working together to maximize the performance of the company. The Corporate team provides accounting, human resources, marketing, communication, IT, legal and administrative services to the company.
WHO YOU ARE
  • You're passionate about developing people. You have at least seven years of experience designing and delivering learning programs, ideally within a professional services or technical environment. You understand how professionals learn, how organizations grow, and how to translate strategy into practical development pathways.
  • Your qualifications and experience are impressive. You have a bachelor's degree in organizational development, HR, education, business, or a related field. A master's degree or professional certification in learning and development, instructional design, or organizational development will certainly stand out. You have experience building leadership programs, project management training, and technical development frameworks that support both individual and organizational growth.
  • You understand the business of professional services. You appreciate how utilization, margin, quality, and client satisfaction are influenced by how people are trained, supported, and led.
  • You're a people person. You have a positive attitude and enjoy developing relationships with staff at all levels. You're an exceptional communicator and facilitator with a proven ability to engage diverse audiences. You're skilled at coaching, influencing, and partnering with leaders to build strong teams.
  • You're a strategic thinker that takes planning seriously. You know how to build a learning roadmap, measure impact, and scale programs across a growing organization. You're energized by building systems, improving processes, and creating clarity for others.

WHAT YOU'LL DO
  • You'll lead our learning and development strategy. You'll design and deliver programs that strengthen project management, leadership, technical excellence, and internal customer service across the company. You'll partner with Operations, HR, Division Leaders, and Technical Directors to ensure employees have the skills and support they need to succeed.
  • You'll be accountable for building a firmwide learning framework. You will develop structured curricula, competency models, and learning pathways that support career growth and operational excellence. You will manage learning platforms, track participation and progress, and measure the effectiveness of programs. You will identify skill gaps and create targeted development solutions.
  • You'll enhance our reputation. Our clients' trust is critically important to us. You'll help strengthen the systems and behaviors that support quality, consistency, and exceptional client experience. You will develop training that reinforces our management systems, digital delivery standards, and QA/QC expectations.
  • You'll connect learning to business results. You will partner with leaders to ensure development efforts support margin protection, quality, and client satisfaction and you'll help measure what's working.
  • You'll share our passion for learning and growth. You will foster an environment of knowledge sharing and continuous improvement. You will support leadership development, coach managers on building strong teams, and help shape succession planning efforts. You will identify key hires and support onboarding programs that set employees up for success.
  • You'll enjoy what you do. You'll work with great people, continue to learn and grow, and have a good time doing it.

SOME OF WHAT YOU'LL ENJOY
  • An excellent benefits package including 401K match, gym and transit subsidies, continuing education reimbursement and much more
  • A hybrid-work environment. From fully-remote to in the office each day, we empower our people to develop a schedule that fits each individual lifestyle
  • A fun, inclusive, and collaborative environment
  • Colleagues that appreciate differences in people, perspectives, cultures, and ideas
  • The fruits of our employee-led committees focused on offering engaging social, wellness and community service activities all year long

For more information about Primera please visit our website: PrimeraEng.com.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Primera is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity. Primera's practices and employment decisions, including those regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation, shall not be based on any person's race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, ancestry, disability, physical handicap, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship status or other protected group as defined by law.

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