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Senior Learning And Development Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL

Senior Learning Specialist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$87K - $116K/yr

The Senior Learning Specialist leads the assessment of training needs, designs and develops ... Support the Manager - Learning & Development in creating marketing and communications plans for ...

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Senior Learning And Development Manager information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$46.9K

$149.3K

$229.2K

How much do senior learning and development manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior learning and development manager in Chicago, IL is $149,313.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $115,900.00 and $177,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior learning and development manager?

A Senior Learning and Development (L&D) Manager is responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing training programs that enhance employee skills and organizational performance. They assess learning needs, develop strategic initiatives, and ensure alignment with business goals. This role involves managing training budgets, collaborating with stakeholders, and leveraging learning technologies. Additionally, they measure training effectiveness and drive continuous improvement to support employee growth and company success.

What types of teams and departments does a senior learning and development manager typically collaborate with?

A Senior Learning and Development Manager regularly collaborates with human resources, department heads, subject matter experts, and executive leadership to identify training needs and align learning initiatives with organizational goals. They also work closely with instructional designers and trainers to develop engaging content, and may partner with IT to ensure smooth integration of learning technologies. This cross-functional partnership is vital for delivering effective programs that support both individual and company-wide development. Strong collaboration helps ensure that learning solutions are practical, relevant, and produce measurable results.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the senior learning and development manager position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Learning and Development Manager, you need expertise in instructional design, adult learning principles, and experience leading organizational training initiatives, often supported by a degree in human resources or education. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), e-learning development tools, and certifications such as CPLP or SHRM-CP are highly advantageous. Outstanding communication, strategic thinking, and leadership skills set top candidates apart in this field. These qualifications ensure effective development and delivery of learning programs that drive employee growth and align with business objectives.

What job categories do people searching Senior Learning And Development Manager jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

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

Infographic showing various Senior Learning And Development Manager job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $149,313 per year, or $71.8 per hour.

Senior Learning & Development Specialist - Professional Development

William Blair

Chicago, IL • Hybrid

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago


Job description

Senior Learning & Development Specialist - Professional Development Focused

We are looking for a Senior Learning & Development Specialist - Professional Development to build William Blair's firmwide professional skills curriculum. You'll design, develop, and facilitate structured learning paths and courses, shaping how colleagues across the firm grow their core skills. With the curriculum strategy set, you'll spend year one developing engaging materials and facilitating sessions that land with diverse audiences. In addition, you'll partner closely with learning management system technical experts to shape how content is organized and housed within the system. A third, and smaller, portion of your role will include occasionally building custom content for teams and departments in corporate functions that include IT, Finance, Legal & Compliance, Workplace & Real Estate Management, Human Resources, Brand, Marketing & Communications, and Philanthropy & Sustainability.

Successful candidates will bring significant experience as instructional designers who have built comparable curricula before. You'll be energized by the challenge of creating something new rather than maintaining something established. We value colleagues who take pride in the quality of their work, take strong ownership over results, and bring strong instincts for what makes learning content work. This role reports to the Manager of Learning & Development.

Responsibilities include but may not be limited to:

  • Design and build a firmwide professional-skills curriculum and learning paths, covering core skills.
  • Deliver instructor-led training sessions; prioritize instructor-led and blended delivery over stand-alone eLearning.
  • Provide input into Workday Learning system configuration and reporting; partner with the HRIS team, which owns technical administration and analytics.
  • Advise the L&D team on how courses, learning paths, and completions are organized and housed within the LMS.
  • Partner with the Manager, Learning & Development to prioritize which competencies and functions to build first, sequencing work in manageable waves.
  • Lead weekly orientation for firmwide new hires globally.
  • Maintain and evolve curriculum based on participant feedback and evolving business needs.
  • Occasionally build custom content to address team- or function-specific needs.
  • Track participation, completion, and effectiveness data to demonstrate program impact.
  • Additional responsibilities, as requested.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree.
  • 3-5 years of professional experience in instructional design, learning and development, or a related discipline.
  • Demonstrated, hands-on experience building a professional skills or core-competency curriculum from scratch; candidates should be prepared to share examples of their work.
  • Strong facilitation skills; demonstrated comfort delivering instructor-led training to cross-functional audiences.
  • Strong LMS experience required; Workday Learning experience preferred, with willingness and aptitude to become the L&D team's Workday Learning subject-matter expert.
  • Working knowledge of adult learning theory and competency-based learning path design.
  • Comfort using instructional design tools (e.g. Elucidat, Articulate).
  • Comfort using generative AI tools to accelerate content development and course authoring.
  • Ability to work independently and move quickly in a build-from-scratch environment with limited existing materials.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills; skilled at establishing credibility with senior leaders across diverse functions.
  • Experience working within a regulated environment; preference for experience administering company-wide campaigns (e.g. preventing workplace harassment).
  • Experience in a financial services or professional services environment is preferred.
  • Ability to work across multiple time zones.
  • Willingness to come into the office a minimum of two days a week; more as learning programs may require.