Talent Development Specialist

Role DescriptionDesigns and supports programs that help employees build the skills, knowledge, and capabilities needed for their current roles and future career growth. Works with business leaders, HR partners, employees, and subject matter experts to understand organizational priorities and identify development needs. Uses feedback, performance information, skills data, and workforce plans to recommend appropriate learning and development activities. Develops or coordinates programs such as onboarding, technical and professional training, leadership development, coaching, mentoring, career development, succession planning, and skills-building initiatives. Selects suitable learning methods, which may include workshops, online courses, facilitated sessions, coaching, job-based learning, or blended programs. Partners with internal trainers and external providers to create useful learning materials and ensure programs are accessible and relevant to different employee groups. Manages the planning and delivery of development activities, including schedules, communications, resources, budgets, and participant support. Helps employees and managers connect learning goals to role expectations and career plans. Collects feedback and evaluates program effectiveness using measures such as participation, learner confidence, skill development, manager feedback, and workplace application. Uses these insights to improve content and recommend future development priorities. A Talent Development Specialist typically coordinates programs and creates or delivers learning materials. A Talent Development Consultant advises leaders and HR teams on capability gaps, development approaches, and organizational needs. A Talent Development Manager leads the function or program portfolio, manages budgets and teams, sets priorities, and evaluates the overall impact of development initiatives. Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, education, organizational development, psychology, business, or a related field
• Experience in talent development, learning and development, training, leadership development, or organizational development
• Understanding of adult learning principles, instructional design, and methods for building workplace skills
• Experience identifying learning needs and translating them into practical development plans
• Ability to design, coordinate, facilitate, or evaluate training and development programs
• Strong communication, facilitation, and presentation skills
• Good project-management skills, including the ability to coordinate multiple programs, stakeholders, and timelines
• Ability to build relationships with employees, managers, HR colleagues, and external learning providers
• Familiarity with learning management systems, virtual learning tools, and standard office software
• Strong analytical and evaluation skills, including the ability to review participation and program outcome data
• Creativity and adaptability when selecting learning approaches for different roles and audiences
• Good judgment and discretion when handling employee performance, career, and development information
• Experience with coaching, mentoring, succession planning, or leadership programs is an asset
• Relevant certifications in coaching, facilitation, instructional design, or human resources are beneficial
• Team leadership, budget ownership, and experience aligning talent development with business strategy may be expected for manager-level positions