Manager, Learning

The Manager, Learning & Development is accountable to provide leadership, direction and implementation of progressive organization learning and development (L&D) strategies and programs. As a key member of the Human Resources Leadership team, the Manager, Learning & Development ensures that learning and development, rewards and recognition activities align with organizational goals. The Manager supports the creation of an environment in which Alterna employees continue to perform, learn and grow in their careers. Leading a team of Specialists, this role is critical in the creation of programs, content and best practices that positively impact the business through talent development, career assessment, management and competency frameworks.

Major Responsibilities

1. Delivers a full suite of Learning & Development programs and services to the business:

• Leading and overseeing the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of L&D programs
• Supports the VP Human Resource and the CAO through research, design and implementation of L&D policies and practices, creation of annual business plans and the ongoing interaction with leadership, ensuring that L&D supports corporate strategic goals.
• Seeks to improve L&D methodologies and delivery
• Monitors quality and impact of programs and initiatives
• Analyze business data/trends impacting performance, talent, climate, and bench strength – and interpret trends
• Champion talent development initiatives to drive business results, promote career growth and facilitate and support change management.
• Proactively manage the Learning Management System (LMS)
• Identify opportunities for L&D initiatives to drive Alterna’s culture.
• Provides consultation to internal client groups specifically in the areas of talent development, performance excellence and behavioral competencies
• Engage with business partners to strengthen the core of the business through continuous professional development.
• Acts as a change leader and subject matter expert on organization wide projects to ensure the right learning strategies and programs support project goals.
• Partner with business leaders and HR colleagues on the development and implementation of programs ensuring they align to business needs.

Manages the Talent Development portfolio of the organization:

• Oversees all talent development activities across the organization including the design and implementation of various talent development programs including onboarding, leadership development, eLearning, professional development, career pathing, competency management, psychometric tools and team facilitations.
• Design and implement talent development strategies and provide expert support to business to ensure business needs are met and client groups are provided optimum service delivery.
• Provides advisory services and expertise with respect to learning needs analysis utilizing various tools and research trends.
• Conduct needs assessments, research and proposes solutions, lead implementations and manages initiatives on an ongoing basis.
• Design and conduct leadership development initiatives and departmental team building sessions
• Provides group or individual coaching.
• Partner with HR and the leadership teams on talent reviews, succession planning, and talent development processes; develop and recommend specific action steps to help development areas.
• Identify and manage 3rd party vendors, as needed

Participates as a member of the HR Leadership Team:

• Provides business driven and client-focused input to L&D strategies, policies and programs.
• Leads through influence and expertise to build effective relationships with business partners.
• Manages and coaches Specialists while overseeing all aspects of L&D service delivery and document administration across the organization.
• Continuously seeks to identify and implement process efficiencies and service delivery improvements, ensuring deadlines are met and needs of clients are fulfilled.
• Manages and oversees L&D projects, programs and initiatives within the L&D team as well as corporate wide.
• Acts as a SME on corporate projects, committees, initiatives and strategic planning activities.
• Provides administrative management of the team through Performance Agreements, performance management, goal setting, workflow management and setting priorities and objectives.
• Acts as delegate for the VP HR when required.

Manages the ongoing activities of the Learning & Development team:

• Contributes to the setting of annual performance agreement measurement methods and objectives within the TEL process for the L&D team.
• Is accountable for the standardization and simplification of L&D processes.
• Analyzes current state, identifies business requirements, and recommends enhancements to processes to improve quality, increase efficiencies, and achieve a high performance team.
• In collaboration with the team and business stakeholders, reallocates resources as needed to provide a consistently high level of service.
• Leads a team to develop, deploy and maintain enterprise learning programs applying adult learning principles and corporate change management methodology.
• Leads a team to research, design and implement new L&D programs and enhance/improve upon existing ones.
• Manages the implementation of the various strategies and regularly reports on results.
• Oversee project plans/milestones around client commitments, prompting timely execution
• L&D maintains a high quality reputation with internal customers through delivery of knowledgeable and timely service in all employee interactions.
• Alterna’s talent development, is proactively managed, delivered ongoing, and engaging to employees.
• Strong relationships, trust, and credibility with management and staff are established.
• L&D policies and procedures are designed and maintained using industry best practices.
• Alterna’s risk of exposure to loss of critical skill sets and compliance to code of conduct is minimized.
• Alterna’s L&D programs are understood and valued by employees.

Qualifications

Educations / Certifications / Experience

• Minimum seven years’ experience in a similar role in learning & development environment including instructional design methodologies, learning technologies, facilitation, and project management.
• Proven track record of implementing change management principles and methodology in complex enterprise-wide programs
• Experience managing and coaching a team of professionals
• Experience in an FI is preferred
• Post-secondary education in HR management is an asset.
• Institute for Performance and Learning (I4PL) professional designation an asset

Knowledge & Skills

• In depth knowledge in the areas of L&D, Adult Learning principles, learning management technology.
• Deep business acumen of Alterna/Financial Services
• Significant experience in providing both strategic and operational L&D advice and guidance
• In depth knowledge of Alterna’s L&D Policies & Procedures.
• In-depth knowledge of performance management, employee engagement succession planning, organizational and leadership development, and high potential programs.
• Hands-on experience in defining and implementing talent development initiatives that have improved business performance, fostered retention and developed the employee population
• Strong business writing skills including policy, procedure and report writing.
• Advanced PowerPoint, Excel and Word skills.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with all levels of an organization
• Certification in Human Resources, Organizational Development and Change Management preferred
• Experience implementing and working with HR technology, including HRIS, talent management systems, learning systems, etc. is required
• Highly motivated; ability to work collaboratively, yet independently; focused on pragmatic solutions
• Strong coaching, development and feedback skills.
• Management and supervisory skills.
• Ability to build strong business partnerships with all levels of management, including executive level employees regarding a broad scope of L&D related functions such as learning and development, performance management, rewards and recognition and change management.
• Ability to understand key business strategies and industry success drivers and ability to apply knowledge of the business to create win-win situations and outcomes.
• Ability to expertly resource, plan and organize for a number of activities with various levels of management and staff.
• Demonstrated confidence in making recommendations, consulting, negotiating and influencing leaders within the business environment.
• Ability to support initiatives and strategies, and communicate effectively and appropriately to key stakeholders.
• Superior interpersonal and influential skills.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive and highly confidential matters with discretion, maturity and emotional intelligence.
• Demonstrated experience in managing people and mentoring peers.

About Alterna Savings

Alterna Savings and Credit Union Limited (Alterna) has been the Good in Banking for over 115 years creating financial services that transform lives for the better, all while giving back to our community. Alterna is made up of Alterna Savings and Credit Union Limited and its wholly owned subsidiary, Alterna Bank.

As the first full-service, member-owned cooperative financial institution outside Quebec, Alterna Savings shares its expertise with over 210,000 members through a network of over 40 branches across Ontario, as well as call centre and digital channels. Members and customers also benefit from an industry-leading online brokerage and investment management services.

Working at Alterna

We are incredibly proud of our corporate culture of Integrity, Respect and Collaboration, where everyone works together towards a common goal; the financial wellbeing of our employees, members and customers. This commitment has earned us several prestigious employer awards, including the National Capital Region's Top Employers award for eight years running.

* Although we appreciate all applicants, preference will be given to candidates who most closely meet the qualifications, key skills, and competencies outlined above.

* Alterna is compliant with the Ontarians with Disabilities Act. If you have a disability, please contact our Recruitment Team and let us know how we can accommodate you.