Director of Learning and Development

Embark on a Journey of Impactful Adventure

The Director of Learning & Development is responsible for building and leading a high-impact learning culture at the YMCA of Greater Brandywine (YGBW). This role designs, facilitates, coordinates, and continuously improves learning and development programs that support staff growth at all levels, from onboarding and role-specific training to leadership development, in alignment with YGBW's mission, values, and strategic priorities. The Director partners closely with HR leadership, operational leaders, and subject matter experts to assess organizational learning needs, build staff capability, and deliver learning experiences that support employee engagement, performance, and retention, supporting that YGBW remains an employer of choice.

Who Are We?

The YMCA of Greater Brandywine (YGBW) was named a 2026 Top Workplace by The Philadelphia Inquirer for the third consecutive year. An association of nine YMCAs serving Chester County, the YMCA of Greater Brandywine is a non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing the potential of every child, promoting healthy living, and fostering social responsibility through life-changing programs for all.

Perks & Benefits

• Free family YMCA membership, including outdoor pools
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, along with paid holidays and plentiful PTO for full-time employees
• Babysitting while you work (up to 4 hours per day)
• Generous program discounts on childcare, camp, youth sports, swimming lessons and more!
• 12% employer contribution to retirement savings upon reaching eligibility and optional 403B retirement savings plan upon hire.
• Employee Assistance Program
• Continuing education reimbursement, tuition discounts with Chestnut Hill College and Immaculata University
• Career development and paid training
• Unlimited referral bonus beginning at $300.00

What You'll Do

Learning Strategy & Program Design

• Assist the SVP, Culture & Enterprise Risk with leading the development and execution of YGBW's annual learning and development strategy in alignment with organizational priorities, staff development needs, and YMCA standards.
• Develops, facilitates, coordinates, and continuously improves a comprehensive portfolio of learning and development offerings that meet organizational, departmental, and employee development needs, including new hire onboarding, role-specific training, leadership development, compliance-required training, and organizational development initiatives across in-person, virtual, and self-directed modalities.
• Conducts ongoing organizational needs assessments in partnership with branch leaders and HR to identify skill gaps and emerging development priorities.
• Recruits, develops, and supports internal and external subject matter experts, facilitators, and trainers to ensure high-quality learning experiences across the association.
• Evaluates learning program effectiveness through participant feedback, performance metrics, and organizational outcomes, making recommendations for continuous improvement.

New Hire Onboarding & Orientation

• Owns and continuously improves the holistic new hire onboarding experience, ensuring all new staff feel welcomed, informed, connected to the Y mission and culture, and set up for success from day one.
• Partners with the HRIS & HR Operations Manager to align onboarding processes, systems, learning requirements, and communication flows to create a seamless and engaging new hire experience.
• Designs, facilitates, and continuously enhances new hire orientation programs and resources, ensuring consistent delivery and experience across branches and departments.
• Collaborates with leaders across the association to support role-specific onboarding, learning pathways, and successful integration of new employees into the organization.

LMS Administration & Reporting

• Serves as the primary administrator for YGBW's Learning Management System (LMS), including content management, user administration, learning assignments, reporting, and ongoing system optimization.
• Maintains and enhances the LMS to support organizational learning initiatives, compliance requirements, leadership development programs, and employee development pathways.
• Generates, analyzes, and distributes training and compliance reports for branches and leadership; maintains accurate tracking of training completions, certifications, credentialing requirements, and expiring requirements.
• Partners with branch leaders, HR Operations, and other stakeholders to ensure staff compliance with all required trainings, certifications, and learning requirements, including Praesidium, CPSL, CPR/First Aid, and YGBW policy certifications.
• Provides training, support, and guidance to staff and leaders on LMS functionality, learning resources, reporting tools, and available development opportunities.

Seasonal & Signature Training Programs

• Works with Association Operations and HR to plan, coordination, and deliver association-wide learning initiatives, seasonal training programs, and signature learning events in partnership with association subject matter experts to support organizational priorities and staff development.
• Partners with association leaders, subject matter experts, and facilitators to design and deliver engaging learning experiences that build staff capability and organizational effectiveness.
• Provides resources, guidance, and support to promote leading practices in facilitation, learning design, and program delivery across all YGBW locations.
• Coordinates and supports required organizational training and certification initiatives, including safety, risk management, and compliance-related learning programs.

Leadership Development & Culture

• Designs, facilitates, coordinates, and supports the implementation of leadership development initiatives that build leadership capacity across the organization in alignment with organizational priorities and leadership competencies.
• Promotes a culture of continuous learning, growth, feedback, and psychological safety by creating opportunities for staff development, knowledge sharing, and leadership growth across the association.
• Partners with organizational leaders to ensure learning and development opportunities reflect YGBW's commitment to inclusion, belonging, cultural competence, and equitable staff development.
• Supports organizational culture, employee engagement, and change management initiatives through facilitation, learning experiences, leadership retreats, and action planning efforts that strengthen organizational effectiveness and the employee experience.

Organizational Leadership & YMCA Expectations

• Models and champions, the YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility, helping to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where all individuals served by and connected to the organization can belong, contribute, and thrive.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with individuals and groups across the association, fostering collaboration, connection, and engagement with the YMCA.
• Knows, follows, and enforces all YMCA policies, rules, regulations, procedures, and staff expectations, including those for the prevention of child abuse.
• Supports the YMCA's Annual Campaign and other philanthropic initiatives by promoting a culture of philanthropy, participating in fundraising efforts, and helping advance the YMCA's mission and community impact.
• Attends and completes all required meetings, trainings, certifications, and professional development activities.
• Demonstrates flexibility, adaptability, and a willingness to do what it takes to support the YMCA's mission and strategic priorities, contributing to the overall success of the association even when responsibilities extend beyond those specifically outlined in this position description.

What You'll Need

• Minimum of 3-5 years of progressive experience in learning and development, organizational development, talent development, human resources, education, or a related field, with demonstrated success designing, facilitating, and implementing learning initiatives with organization-wide impact.
• Demonstrated experience designing, facilitating, and evaluating adult learning programs across multiple modalities, including in-person, virtual, blended, and self-directed learning.
• Experience administering a Learning Management System (LMS); familiarity with Paycom Learning or similar platforms preferred.
• Strong facilitation, presentation, relationship-building, and project management skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate with individuals and groups at all levels of the organization.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data and reporting to evaluate program effectiveness and drive continuous improvement.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other learning and collaboration technologies.
• Experience in a nonprofit, YMCA, or other mission-driven organization preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in; Organizational Development, Human Resources, Education, Adult Learning, Business Administration, or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and experience considered.
• Professional certification in talent development, learning and development, organizational development, or human resources preferred.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.
• Must obtain and maintain all required YMCA and association certifications, trainings, and compliance requirements within established timelines.
• Must complete all required safety, compliance, and risk management trainings, including sexual harassment prevention and child abuse prevention training, as assigned by Human Resources prior to providing direct service.
• Complete YMCA of the USA Multi-Team Leader Learning Plan within the first 3 years of employment
• Other required trainings by YGBW.

Work Conditions and Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer for extended periods of time and be able to communicate using a computer and phone/smart device. The employee frequently is required to sit and reach, and must be able to move around the work environment. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Why You Need To Apply

Not meeting every single requirement? That's perfectly okay! Research shows that women and marginalized groups are often hesitant to apply for jobs unless they meet all the qualifications. If you're excited about this role, don't let a few mismatches in your experience hold you back. We want to see your application! You could be exactly what we're looking for!