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Talent Development Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Description About the Role The Talent Development Manager is responsible for designing, delivering, and continuously improving learning programs that support employee growth, leadership development ...

Manage facilitators, scheduling, set-up, and materials needed. * Update and maintain the Learning Management System (LMS). Own the scheduling and participant registration for courses. Partner with HR ...

Directs and manages highly complex and large corporate-wide and business unit specific talent, leadership development and learning programs and initiatives with multiple sub-projects and sub teams to ...

Directs and manages highly complex and large corporate-wide and business unit specific talent, leadership development and learning programs and initiatives with multiple sub-projects and sub teams to ...

Coordinate and manage technical and professional learning journeys for Gradients across Cloud, Data ... Talent Development, or Learning Operations within a consulting or technology environment.

Coordinate and manage technical and professional learning journeys for Gradients across Cloud, Data ... Talent Development, or Learning Operations within a consulting or technology environment.

Position Overview The Associate, Talent Development will develop, execute and facilitate training ... Manage external training vendors and resources as needed. Minimum Qualifications * Bachelor ...

Position Overview The Associate, Talent Development will develop, execute and facilitate training ... Manage external training vendors and resources as needed. Minimum Qualifications * Bachelor ...

Position Overview The Associate, Talent Development will develop, execute and facilitate training ... Manage external training vendors and resources as needed. Minimum Qualifications * Bachelor ...

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Independently manage daily activities while maintaining a high standard of professionalism. The ... Talent Acquisition * Business Development * Customer Success * Operations * Sales Leadership

Lead the development and implementation of talent strategies that align with broader business ... Support talent management processes, including preparation and facilitation of division Talent ...

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Talent Development Manager information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$61.3K

$99.6K

$140.1K

How much do talent development manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for talent development manager in Chicago, IL is $99,564.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,100.00 and $111,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a talent development manager?

To thrive as a Talent Development Manager, you need expertise in learning and development strategies, organizational psychology, and experience in HR or a related field—often supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), talent assessment tools, and certifications such as CPLP or SHRM-CP are commonly required. Strong communication, coaching, and leadership skills enable success in collaborating with stakeholders and inspiring employee growth. These skills and qualifications are vital to designing effective development programs that align workforce capabilities with organizational goals.

What are some common challenges faced by talent development managers when implementing new training initiatives?

Talent Development Managers often encounter challenges such as securing buy-in from leadership and staff, aligning training programs with business goals, and measuring the effectiveness of learning initiatives. Balancing diverse learning needs within the organization while managing limited resources can also be demanding. Building strong cross-functional relationships and maintaining open communication channels are key strategies for overcoming these obstacles and ensuring successful training implementation.

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

AspectTalent Development ManagerLearning and Development Specialist
CredentialsBachelor's degree; often advanced certifications in HR or trainingBachelor's degree; certifications like CPLP or ATD preferred
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, team leadership, cross-department collaborationDesigning and delivering training programs, facilitating workshops
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in corporate HR departments across various industriesCommon in corporate training teams, education, and nonprofit sectors
Search & Comparison IntentFocuses on strategic talent growth and leadership developmentFocuses on training delivery and instructional design

The Talent Development Manager oversees strategic talent growth initiatives, leadership programs, and organizational development. In contrast, the Learning and Development Specialist concentrates on designing and delivering training programs. Both roles require related credentials and work within corporate environments, but their focus areas differ—strategic planning versus training execution.

What is a talent development manager?

A talent development manager helps cultivate the skills of current employees. Job duties include evaluating employee performance, developing training programs, and leading seminars. The goal of a talent development manager is to train employees in a way that promotes the values of the business or organization and encourage strong employees to stay. A talent development manager may also help the human resources department with recruitment. This career requires strong communication and leadership skills.

What are the most commonly searched types of Talent Development jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Talent Development jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Talent Development Manager jobs in Chicago, IL? For Talent Development Manager jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Talent Development Manager jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Talent Development Manager jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Talent Development Manager jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Talent Development Manager job openings:
Infographic showing various Talent Development Manager job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,564 per year, or $47.9 per hour.

Talent Development Manager

Smithbucklin

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago


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.