Senior Specialist, Talent Development

Environmental Defense Fund; Austin (CO); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Environmental Defense Fund seeks a Senior Specialist in Talent Development to design, implement, and measure learning initiatives that advance our TD goals. The role blends hands-on LMS work with program delivery, stakeholder engagement, and data‑driven improvements.

The position reports to the Senior Manager, Talent Development and is based in a hybrid setup serving the Greater NY and Austin regions. A 2‑year fixed term contract supports leadership development programs and TD initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, organizational development, psychology, business, or related field.
• 4+ years designing and delivering enterprise-wide learning or talent programs.
• Experience administering an LMS (Workday Learning preferred; Cornerstone, SAP or Docebo acceptable).
• Experience managing vendor relationships.

Responsibilities

• Designs and delivers engaging learning sessions using ILT, e-learning, blended formats, and webinars.
• Manages end-to-end TD programs including scheduling, communications, and tech setup.
• Administers and optimizes the LMS, generates reports, and measures program impact.
• Coordinates with HRBPs and vendors to align TD strategies with needs.
• Supports onboarding and performance processes as needed.

Skills

Facilitation

Presentation skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Customer service

Cultural competency

Office suite

E‑learning tools

Communication skills

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/OD/PSY/Business

Tools

Workday Learning

Cornerstone

SAP

Docebo

Job description

Job Title: Senior Specialist, Talent Development

Department: Talent Development, Human Resources

Reports to: Senior Manager, Talent Development

Location: Hybrid (Greater NY and Austin areas)

This position is a 2-year fixed term role

Overall Function

The Senior Specialist, Talent Development is responsible for designing, implementing, and measuring learning and development solutions that support EDF Talent Development goals, with regular hands-on work in EDF’s Learning Management System (LMS). Someone in this role has a strong interest in developing people and fostering space for more impactful knowledge sharing. The Senior Specialist, Talent Development would manage projects like creation, delivery, and administration of leadership development programs, facilitation of training sessions for employees at various levels, and regularly collaborating with internal and external stakeholders. This position reports to the Senior Manager, Talent Development.

Key Responsibilities

Program Design, Development & Delivery

• Designs, develops, and facilitates engaging and effective learning sessions that cater to diverse learning styles and levels within the organization, using varied delivery methods including instructor‑led training, e-learning, blended programs, and webinars.
• Manages learning and development programs (leadership, professional, or career development) end-to‑end, from design and development through delivery, measurement, and continuous improvement, and including scheduling, communications, and tech setup.

LMS Administration and Data

• Administers and optimizes the LMS to build and manage learning courses and programs, maintain content, and generate reporting that supports program tracking and decision‑making.
• Utilizes data‑driven insights to continuously enhance Talent Development programs: Establishes metrics and measurement processes to assess the impact and success of training courses and TD programs, develops scorecards to evaluate outcomes and provide actionable insights for continuous improvement and/or success.

Program & Stakeholder Management

• Manages program timelines, budgets, and resources independently, recommending approaches to keep projects on track and within scope; may function as a project lead on multifaceted or cross‑functional initiatives.
• Collaborates with HRBPs to ensure alignment of TD strategies with local and global needs and standards.
• Manages vendor relationships in coordination with associated programs.
• Implements communication strategies for Talent Development initiatives.

Team and Organizational Support

• Supports Onboarding, Performance Management Process, and other Talent Development initiatives as needed.
• Makes informed decisions on routine activities; communicates essential information and recommendations to supervisor and teams for decisions outside their scope.
• Participates in advancing EDF Organizational Effectiveness and Culture (OEC) Goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.
• Undertakes other projects and responsibilities as assigned, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability in supporting organizational needs.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Psychology, Business Administration, or a related field; equivalent professional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Experience

• 4+ years of experience designing, developing, and facilitating enterprise-wide learning, leadership development, or talent management programs, with demonstrated success leading programs end-to‑end.
• Demonstrated, hands‑on experience administering and optimizing a Learning Management System (LMS) or Talent Management System (Workday Learning strongly preferred; experience with Cornerstone, SAP, Docebo, or similar systems considered).
• Experience managing vendor relationships.

Skills & Capabilities

• Strong facilitation and presentation skills to all levels of staff required; effective virtual facilitation strongly preferred.
• Ability to work effectively across a growing, dynamic organization and among geographically dispersed colleagues.
• Strong customer service orientation skills, excellent judgment and interpersonal skills, including the ability to maintain tact, diplomacy, and confidentiality while representing the organization and interfacing with all levels of staff and vendors.
• Demonstrates self‑awareness, cultural competency, and inclusivity, with a commitment to continued learning and growth to produce effective interactions with people across diverse cultures and backgrounds, including the ability to adapt to cultural change.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Applications; familiarity with e‑learning authoring tools (e.g., Articulate 360) a plus.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.

We offer a strong total rewards package encompassing competitive salary, robust benefits, and professional development opportunities consistent with a modern global organization. We take into account factors such as candidate experience, skills, training, internal team equity and local norms.

Please note that pay ranges are country specific. As a result, the stated currency is not meant be converted into any other currency.