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Talent Development Director Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Reporting to the Director of Talent Development, this role partners with Human Resources, business leaders, and subject matter experts to identify development needs, deliver learning experiences ...

Head of Early Career Talent Development Shape the Future of Talent at AIG New York, Chicago, or Atlanta office based Who we are: American International Group, Inc. (AIG) is a leading global insurance ...

Join our team as a Talent Director! As a Talent Director, you will be a vital part of the ... Onboarding & Employee Development: * Oversee the onboarding process for new hires, ensuring they ...

Join our team as a Talent Director! As a Talent Director, you will be a vital part of the ... Onboarding & Employee Development: * Oversee the onboarding process for new hires, ensuring they ...

Position Summary Reporting to the Vice President, Global Talent, the Director, Talent Management ... Leadership effectiveness in talent development, performance management, and succession planning

Position Summary Reporting to the Vice President, Global Talent, the Director, Talent Management ... Improves the quality, consistency, and transparency of talent and development decisions

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Talent Development Director information

What does a talent development director do?

A Talent Development Director is responsible for creating and overseeing programs that help employees grow their skills and advance in their careers. They assess organizational needs, design training initiatives, and ensure that learning opportunities align with business goals. This role often involves working closely with leadership to identify key talent, implement leadership development strategies, and measure the effectiveness of training programs. The ultimate goal is to foster a culture of continuous learning and drive overall company performance through the growth of its people.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a talent development director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Talent Development Director, you need expertise in organizational development, instructional design, and program management, typically supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in HR, education, or a related field. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), talent analytics tools, and certifications such as CPLP or SHRM-SCP is highly beneficial. Strategic thinking, strong leadership, and excellent interpersonal skills help drive engagement and foster a culture of continuous learning. These skills and qualifications are crucial for building effective development programs that align workforce capabilities with organizational goals.

What are some common challenges talent development directors face when implementing organization-wide learning initiatives?

Talent Development Directors often encounter challenges such as gaining buy-in from leadership and employees, aligning learning programs with strategic business goals, and measuring the impact of development initiatives. Balancing the diverse needs of different departments and ensuring consistent participation across the organization can also be demanding. Successful Directors proactively communicate the value of learning, utilize data-driven approaches to demonstrate ROI, and foster a culture that embraces continuous development.

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

AspectTalent Development DirectorLearning and Development Manager
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, or related field; often prefers advanced certifications in talent development or HRRequires a bachelor’s degree; certifications in L&D or training are common but not mandatory
Work EnvironmentStrategic role overseeing talent growth across departments, often in larger organizationsOperational role focused on designing and implementing training programs within teams
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in corporate HR departments across various industriesCommon in corporate training departments, especially in mid to large-sized companies

The Talent Development Director focuses on strategic talent growth and leadership development, while the Learning and Development Manager concentrates on creating and managing training programs. Both roles are vital for employee development but differ in scope and strategic involvement.

What are the most commonly searched types of Talent Development jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Talent Development jobs in Illinois are:

What are popular job titles related to Talent Development Director jobs in Illinois?

For Talent Development Director jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Talent Development Director jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Talent Development Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Talent Development Director job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution.

Talent Development Manager

Smithbucklin

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Design, deliver, and improve learning programs that support employee growth, leadership development, and business priorities.

  • Facilitate virtual and in-person learning experiences for employees, managers, and leaders, including onboarding and leadership development sessions.

  • Analyze participation, evaluation, and business data to identify trends, measure effectiveness, and recommend improvements.


Job description

Description
About the Role
The Talent Development Manager is responsible for designing, delivering, and continuously improving learning programs that support employee growth, leadership development, and business priorities.
Reporting to the Director of Talent Development, this role partners with Human Resources, business leaders, and subject matter experts to identify development needs, deliver learning experiences, evaluate program effectiveness, and use data and employee feedback to continuously improve learning programs.
Rather than creating learning for the sake of creating learning, this role focuses on evaluating existing programs, identifying opportunities for improvement, and ensuring our learning investments deliver meaningful results for employees and the business.
Success in this role requires balancing strategy with execution, building strong relationships across the organization, and using data to drive continuous improvement.
What You Will Do
Learning Design and Continuous Improvement
  • Design and continuously improve learning programs that support employees, managers, and leaders.
  • Evaluate existing learning programs using employee feedback, participation data, and business needs to identify opportunities for improvement.
  • Design facilitator guides, participant materials, job aids, and blended learning experiences that support employee development.
  • Partner with subject matter experts to design practical learning solutions that meet business needs.
  • Leverage learning technologies and digital resources to enhance the employee learning experience.

Facilitation
  • Facilitate engaging virtual and in person learning experiences for employees, managers, and leaders.
  • Lead the People Manager Development Program, including DDI certified content and manager development curriculum.
  • Facilitate onboarding programs, leadership development sessions, and other Talent Development initiatives.

Data, Insights, and Business Partnership
  • Partner with Human Resources and business leaders to identify learning needs and recommend development strategies.
  • Analyze participation, evaluation, and business data to identify trends, measure effectiveness, and recommend improvements.
  • Develop meaningful measures and dashboards to evaluate learning effectiveness and business impact.
  • Share insights and recommendations with stakeholders to support decision making and future learning priorities

What You Bring
At Smithbucklin, our Service Standards guide us to how we work every day. They define the behaviors we expect of every employee and serve as the foundation for how we support our colleagues, clients, and one another. We are looking for someone who embraces these behaviors and demonstrates them through collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and a commitment to delivering an exceptional employee experience.
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
  • Five or more years of progressive experience in Talent Development, Learning and Development, Talent Management, Organizational Development, or a related field.
  • Demonstrated success designing and facilitating learning programs for adult learners.
  • Ability to evaluate learning programs, analyze data, identify trends, and recommend meaningful improvements.
  • Proven project management skills with the ability to lead cross functional initiatives from planning through implementation.
  • Skilled in developing facilitator guides, learning resources, and blended learning experiences.
  • Excellent facilitation, presentation, and communication skills.
  • Strong relationship building, consulting, and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence without direct authority.
  • Analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to translate data into practical recommendations and business insights.
  • Continuous improvement mindset with the curiosity to evaluate existing programs and identify opportunities to enhance the employee experience.
  • Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with learning technologies such as LinkedIn Learning, Learning Management Systems, or HRIS platforms.

Preferred Qualifications
  • DDI certification or comparable facilitation certification.
  • Experience supporting performance management, leadership development, or employee development initiatives.
  • Experience in an association, nonprofit, or professional services environment.

Who We Are
Smithbucklin is a one hundred percent employee owned company where every employee has a stake in our success. We believe in collaboration, continuous learning, operational excellence, and creating meaningful experiences for our employees and clients.
Our Talent Development team partners across the organization to help employees grow, strengthen leadership, and continuously improve the employee experience through meaningful learning and development opportunities. If you are passionate about developing people, using data to improve programs, and collaborating with others to solve business challenges, we would love to hear from you.
Smithbucklin is a hybrid work environment with in-office days established as Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Employees will work a standard 40-hour week, with the possibility of additional hours based on project deadlines.
Smithbucklin considers several factors when determining compensation, including a candidate's recent coursework, training, experience, and certifications, among other considerations. The expected pay for this role is $90,000-$115,000.
Equal Employment Opportunity
At Smithbucklin, Equal Employment Opportunity is our commitment and goal. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other protected status designated by federal, state or local law. Applicants are encouraged to confidentially self-identify when applying. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a reference and background investigation based on position.
Smithbucklin will not sponsor applicants for work visas and as a precondition of employment. You must be authorized to work in the United States permanently.