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Learning And Development Director Jobs in Chicago, IL

ViziRecruiter,LLC.

Specialist Learning Dev

Chicago, IL · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

Manages, from intake to delivery, development of eLearning courses, creating content that meets the ... Learning Administration and Director, Associate Tech & Experience * Supports review, research ...

citronhygiene

Business Development Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

$80K - $170K/yr

Continuous learning and development : Get the tools, training, flexibility, and autonomy to build ... The Business Development Director represents the entire range of Citron services, consumables, and ...

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All JobsLearning And Development JobsLearning And Development Director JobsLearning And Development Director Jobs in Chicago, IL

Learning And Development Director information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$44.8K

$117K

$189.5K

How much do learning and development director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for learning and development director 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 does a learning and development director do?

As a learning and development director, your responsibilities are to analyze existing training programs to determine whether they provide employees with the skills needed to perform their jobs. Your duties include evaluating instructor performance, determining whether the company should add new training programs, and helping prepare a training budget for a department or organization. You must often communicate with vendors and customers to understand their needs, discuss issues with management, conduct surveys within the company, and determine which types of training are most suitable for the company and the way its employees tend to learn. In large organizations, learning and development directors frequently travel to visit other offices.

What does a learning and development director do?

A Learning and Development Director oversees the creation, implementation, and management of training programs within an organization. They work to identify skill gaps, develop strategies for employee growth, and ensure that training initiatives align with business goals. Their role often involves collaborating with department heads, managing budgets, and assessing the effectiveness of learning programs to drive organizational success.

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

To thrive as a Learning and Development Director, you need expertise in instructional design, adult learning principles, and organizational development, usually supported by a relevant degree and substantial experience in training or HR. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), e-learning authoring tools, and certifications like CPLP or SHRM are commonly required. Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and excellent communication skills are vital soft skills that help drive learning initiatives and engage stakeholders. These skills are crucial for designing effective development programs that align with organizational goals and foster employee growth.

What are some typical challenges a learning and development director faces when implementing new training programs across multiple departments?

A Learning and Development Director often encounters challenges such as varying departmental priorities, differing skill levels among employees, and resistance to change. Coordinating schedules and ensuring consistent communication across teams can be complex, especially in larger organizations. Success in this role relies on strong stakeholder engagement, adaptability, and the ability to tailor learning initiatives to meet diverse needs while aligning with overall business goals.

What is the difference between Learning And Development Director vs Training Manager?

AspectLearning And Development DirectorTraining Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees organizational learning strategies, develops leadership programs, aligns L&D with business goalsManages training programs, coordinates workshops, ensures employee skill development
Required CredentialsBachelor’s or Master’s in HR, Education, or related field; certifications like CPLP or SHRM-SCPBachelor’s in HR, Education, or related; certifications like CPT or ATD certifications
Work EnvironmentStrategic, leadership-focused, often in corporate officesOperational, training delivery-focused, often in training centers or corporate settings

The Learning And Development Director focuses on strategic organizational learning initiatives and leadership development, while the Training Manager handles day-to-day training programs and employee skill enhancement. Both roles require similar credentials and work in corporate environments, but differ in scope and strategic impact.

More about Learning And Development Director jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Learning And Development jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Learning And Development jobs in Chicago, IL are:

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For Learning And Development Director jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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The top searched job categories for Learning And Development Director jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Learning And Development Director jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Learning And Development Director job openings:

Learning And Development Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Learning And Development Director job openings in Chicago, IL as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $117,048 per year, or $56.3 per hour.

Director, Learning & Development

Brookfieldzoo

Brookfield, IL • On-site

$150 - $200/hr

Other

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

Job Description

Chicago Zoological Society | Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Rd, Brookfield, Illinois, United States of America

Position: Director of Learning & Development (Full‑time, salaried, grade 13). Salary range: $154,932 - $170,600 per year.

Overview

Join the PRIDE and Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s mission to ignite emotional connections with wildlife that spark conservation action while leading vital programs to protect endangered species. The Director of Learning & Development partners with staff, business unit leaders, and subject‑matter experts to design, administer, coordinate, and evaluate high‑quality training experiences that increase workforce performance and employee engagement.

Responsibilities Needs Assessment and Strategy
  • Partner with stakeholders to identify skills gaps and training needs across departments.
  • Build scalable learning frameworks that align with company goals and support employees at all levels.
  • Develop and execute a multi‑year strategic learning framework aligned to enterprise goals.
Program Development
  • Design, create, and implement comprehensive training programs (in‑person workshops, e‑learning, onboarding, leadership development).
  • Spearhead change management, culture transformation, and leadership development that supports institutional growth.
  • Embed DEAI principles in every facet of learning and development practices.
  • Ensure training initiatives strengthen regulatory compliance, mitigate risk, and support operational readiness.
Facilitation and Training
  • Deliver dynamic training sessions, facilitate interactive workshops, and lead engaging new‑hire orientation.
  • Coach and advise senior leaders on succession planning and development strategies.
Evaluation and Improvement
  • Position learning as a driver of operational performance, safety culture, and employee engagement.
  • Define and implement strategic L&D KPIs that connect workforce training to measurable performance, engagement, and retention outcomes.
  • Deliver executive‑level insights on workforce capability and ROI, utilizing analytics to drive strategic, data‑informed talent decisions.
  • Oversee LMS strategy and digital learning technologies to ensure scalable, compliant, and high‑quality user‑centric experiences.
Budget and Vendor Management
  • Manage vendor relations, content licensing, and training resources.
  • Manage the learning budget in partnership with P&C leadership.
Other
  • Actively monitor and adopt emerging e‑learning technologies, tools, and industry trends.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned to ensure successful achievement of Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s goals and objectives.
Position Requirements
  • High school diploma or educational equivalent (e.g., GED) required. Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Development, Human Resources, Instructional Design, Business Administration, or related field, or eight years of equivalent experience, required.
  • Five years of experience in learning & development, instructional design, and/or organizational development that includes supporting senior leaders and cross‑functional stakeholders.
  • Expertise in designing and delivering engaging, learner‑centered educational experiences that drive performance.
  • Skilled in virtual and in‑person facilitation that encourages active participation, peer‑to‑peer learning, and high engagement.
  • Experience in full‑life‑cycle training portfolio from onboarding to leadership development across multiple functional areas of a complex organization.
  • Demonstrated capability in instructional design utilizing learning theory and e‑learning software.
  • Proficiency in designing and executing training needs assessment, leveraging data analytics and evaluation frameworks to track pre‑ and post‑training metrics against organizational performance and ROI.
  • English fluency at a professional working proficiency.
  • Cultural competency; experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience.
  • Valid driver’s license required on date of hire. Illinois residents must possess a valid Illinois driver’s license at the time of hire or within 90 days. Out‑of‑state residents must provide a valid out‑of‑state license.
Desirable/Preferred Qualifications
  • Prior experience using a Learning Management System and administration functions.
  • Multilingual ability; Spanish fluency is a plus.
Additional Information

Must be able to work within a very fast‑paced environment with rapidly shifting priorities. The position may require early mornings, evenings, and occasional Saturdays to meet the training needs of the organization. The role involves safely operating a golf cart to transport training equipment to various locations within the Zoo.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

EEO Statement

This position is open to all qualified applicants. Brookfield Zoo Chicago is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace.

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