Talent Development Associate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Our Human Resources team defies all conventional expectations and is a business-connected solutions provider. The work we do directly aligns with the company’s core areas of focus, and we ensure that associates and leaders are ready to support those strategic objectives.  Our HR team is comprised of different departments, including Talent Acquisition, HR business partners, Learning & Development, Compensation & Benefits, and Shared Services. We enable meaningful careers for all and build our Associate Workplace Experience!

Collaborative Work Environment:
At PetSmart, teamwork and connection are core to how we thrive. This role is based at our Phoenix Home Office, with an expectation of working a minimum of four days in the office each week. In a standard work week, associates may work up to one remote “flex day” (with leader approval). Our hybrid approach is designed to foster strong collaboration while also supporting flexibility and individual success.

The Senior Manager, Talent Development is responsible for leading the design, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of PetSmart's leadership and associate development experiences. This role translates enterprise talent development strategy into scalable learning solutions that build leadership capability, accelerate functional and technical growth, and strengthen organizational effectiveness across Stores, Distribution Centers, and Offices.

Working closely with HR and business leaders, this leader oversees the experience portfolio—from onboarding and leadership development to high-potential and functional capability programs—ensuring learning experiences are practical, engaging, measurable, and aligned to business priorities.

The Senior Manager leads a team of Talent Development Consultants while serving as the organization's primary expert on learning design, facilitation, adult learning, and development experiences.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Translate enterprise Talent Development strategy into learning experiences that build capability across all levels of the organization.
• Lead the design and evolution of leadership, functional, technical, and team development programs.
• Maintain and prioritize the experience roadmap for leadership onboarding, skill development, readiness, and acceleration programs.
• Continuously assess organizational capability gaps and recommend new or enhanced development experiences.
• Ensure all learning experiences reflect PetSmart's values, leadership expectations, and future capability needs.
• Establish standards for instructional design, facilitation, participant experience, and learning quality.
• Review learning content for effectiveness, clarity, inclusion, and consistency.
• Incorporate adult learning principles, modern instructional practices, and emerging learning technologies.
• Measure program effectiveness and continuously improve experiences using participant feedback, business outcomes, and learning analytics.
• Partner with HR Business Partners and business leaders to understand capability needs and recommend development solutions.
• Consult with functional experts to translate business knowledge into effective learning experiences.
• Build trusted partnerships across HR to ensure alignment with broader talent strategies.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Talent Development Consultants.
• Set priorities, provide coaching, and establish high standards for quality and execution.
• Foster innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the team.
• Build bench strength and support career development for team members.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

• Team of Talent Development Consultant(s)
• Intern/Bench associate as applicable

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Experience building and implementing talent development and team strategies including project management, content development, soft-skills development, and performance improvement.
• 7+ years experience in a leadership capacity.
• 7+ years of instructional design, learning and development, and/or retail leadership experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of adult learning principles.
• Internal or external consulting experience in areas such as program/project management, assessments, performance management, career development.
• Experience developing measurement tools and strategies that focus on reaction to learning, knowledge transfer, application on the job and business impact.
• Demonstrated experience in the following:
• Ability to establish high level of credibility quickly; appropriate confidence to gain the trust and respect of key stakeholders, learners, and team members.
• Anticipate and adapt to the changing needs of the business.
• Excellent facilitation skills, presence, poise, and persuasiveness.
• Ability to focus on self-development and development of others.
• Ability to delegate as appropriate to direct reports or others as appropriate.
• Keen focus on talent development, team management, and communicativeness.

TECHNICAL SKILLS:

• Excellent communication skills, including written, verbal and presentation skills; comfortable and credible with both internal stakeholders and external audiences. Proven executive presence.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with all levels of employees.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities while balancing quality with on-time delivery.
• Highly effective in ambiguous environments, and able to produce results with little direction and guidance.
• Ability to create and deploy learning in a variety of formats (e.g., in-person, virtual, eLearnings).
• Highly organized with ability to execute innovative solutions.
• Excellent computer literacy and technical expertise with graphic design and eLearning authoring software. Experience with Adobe Creative Suite and Articulate Storyline preferred.
• In-depth experience with the Microsoft Office suite of products.
• Knowledge and experience developing eLearning courses, creative concepts, scripts and storyboards.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

None required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands and work environment are characteristic of those found in a typical office environment.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable those with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• This role requires collaboration, teamwork, and face-to-face interaction with colleagues, leaders, and/or clients.
• Being in the office ensures access to leaders, cross-functional partners, and resources necessary to make timely decisions and drive results.
• On-site presence in accordance with our FlexSmart policy supports our culture of innovation, mentorship, and engagement, which is integral to our success in developing the best team.

* This is not intended to be an all-inclusive, exhaustive list of all essential job functions for this position. PetSmart retains the right to change or assign other required job duties to this position.

At PetSmart, Anything for Pets begins with our people. Every associate plays a vital role in creating meaningful experiences for pets and their families, and we empower our teams with the tools, resources, and opportunities to grow and succeed. 

We’re more than a workplace, we’re Team PetSmart. Together, we grow, collaborate, and challenge ourselves to be the best in all we do. Our culture is built on belonging and shared purpose, where every voice and experience matters. Guided by our values, we strive to do what’s right, lead responsibly, and bring our passion for pets to life every day. Not sure if you meet 100% of the position requirements and whether you should apply? We’d still like to hear from you and encourage you to apply with us! You might be the right fit for this role or another opportunity across Team PetSmart.

Our home office offers outstanding amenities in a fun and rewarding workplace including:

• Pet-friendly environment, bring your pets to work and enjoy the on-site dog park!
• On-Site Events & Adoptions, enjoy community-building opportunities, including pet adoption days, seasonal celebrations, family events, art events, & holiday festivals
• “Top Dog” gym with equipment, fitness classes, massage therapists, personal trainers, and wellness spaces
• “Sit & Stay” Café serving fresh breakfast and lunch options, snacks, & more
• “Lil Paws” NAEYC-accredited onsite childcare facility providing high-quality early education
• Paid Volunteer Opportunities to spend time doing good for causes close to heart
• Print Center and Business Services, Dry Cleaning, Mother's Rooms, Sustainable Infrastructure & more

PetSmart provides an equal opportunity for all associates and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics.

At PetSmart, Anything for Pets begins with our people. Every associate plays a vital role in creating meaningful experiences for pets and their families, and we empower our teams with the tools, resources, and opportunities to grow and succeed. 

We’re more than a workplace, we’re Team PetSmart. Together, we grow, collaborate, and challenge ourselves to be the best in all we do. Our culture is built on belonging and shared purpose, where every voice and experience matters. Guided by our values, we strive to do what’s right, lead responsibly, and bring our passion for pets to life every day. Not sure if you meet 100% of the position requirements and whether you should apply? We’d still like to hear from you and encourage you to apply with us! You might be the right fit for this role or another opportunity across Team PetSmart.

Our home office offers outstanding amenities in a fun and rewarding workplace including:

• Pet-friendly environment, bring your pets to work and enjoy the on-site dog park!
• On-Site Events & Adoptions, enjoy community-building opportunities, including pet adoption days, seasonal celebrations, family events, art events, & holiday festivals
• “Top Dog” gym with equipment, fitness classes, massage therapists, personal trainers, and wellness spaces
• “Sit & Stay” Café serving fresh breakfast and lunch options, snacks, & more
• “Lil Paws” NAEYC-accredited onsite childcare facility providing high-quality early education
• Paid Volunteer Opportunities to spend time doing good for causes close to heart
• Print Center and Business Services, Dry Cleaning, Mother's Rooms, Sustainable Infrastructure & more

PetSmart provides an equal opportunity for all associates and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics.