Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium · 5 hours ago
Director of Staff Training and Development
Omaha, NE
Full-time
Onsite
Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
$78K/yr - $78K/yr
5+ years expOmaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is seeking a Director of Staff Training and Development. This role is responsible for designing and delivering a cohesive learning ecosystem that enhances employee performance and leadership effectiveness while aligning with organizational culture and strategic priorities.
EducationLeisureNon Profit
Responsibilities
Design, implement, and evaluate organization-wide learning and development programs for staff
Regularly assess workforce needs and emerging priorities to inform curriculum design
Ensure training offerings align with organizational values, culture, and strategic goals
Create and facilitate leadership development programs focused on: Expectation setting and accountability, Effective performance evaluation writing, Coaching, feedback, and goal setting
Serve as a trusted adviser and coach to leaders, managers, and supervisors
Lead and continuously improve the new employee orientation experience, partnering with colleagues in People and Culture for facilitation
Partner with departments that manage specialized onboarding (e.g., Events, Education) to ensure consistency, quality, and adherence to organizational standards
Develop and facilitate core values workshops that embed values into daily work practices
Lead the design, development and deployment of engaging learning bytes and comprehensive training modules within the Zoo’s Learning Management module in Paycom, aligned with assigned topics and strategic organizational priorities
Partner with cross-functional leaders to actively cultivate a positive, inclusive, and aligned workplace culture
Strengthen communication, connection, and shared expectations across departments
Partner with the Chief People Officer to develop and refine career pathing frameworks and position leveling
Support transparency, internal mobility, and long-term retention through clear development pathways
Manage the staff professional development budget, ensuring equitable and strategic use of funds
Oversee the tuition reimbursement program with fairness, transparency, and policy adherence
Identify and vet external training opportunities and vendors when internal offerings are not sufficient
Facilitate in-person and stand-up training sessions, including evenings and weekends as needed
Develop feedback and evaluation systems to measure training effectiveness and impact
Remain current on learning and development trends, adult learning theory, and workforce innovation
Lead and determine appropriate structure for weekly Leadership Meetings to improve focus, accountability, and outcomes
Collaborate regularly with department leaders to assess training needs and adapt offerings
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Education, Organizational Development, Psychology, Communications, or a related field required
Minimum of 5–8 years of progressive experience in learning and development, workforce development, organizational development, or a related field
Demonstrated experience designing and delivering original training programs, including leadership development, onboarding, and professional development
Experience facilitating in-person, stand-up training sessions for diverse audiences, including managers and frontline staff
Proven ability to partner with senior leaders and serve as a trusted adviser, coach, and thought partner
Strong understanding of adult learning principles, curriculum design, and instructional best practices
Ability to assess organizational needs and translate them into practical, engaging learning solutions
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage, influence, and build trust across all levels of the organization
Experience managing training records, certifications, and learning data within an HRIS (Paycom experience preferred)
Comfort managing budgets related to professional development and tuition reimbursement
Ability to identify and evaluate external training providers and learning resources
Commitment to fostering a positive, inclusive, and values-driven workplace culture
Ability to stand for extended periods and facilitate training sessions across multiple locations
Ability to walk the Zoo grounds, transport training materials, and operate carts or similar equipment as needed
Flexibility to work evenings and weekends to support training schedules
Preferred
Master's degree or professional certification (e.g., ATD, SHRM, CPLP, CPTD, or similar) preferred
Benefits
Tuition reimbursement program
Company
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
Consistently ranked as one of the world's top five zoos, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is an independent not-for-profit organization accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Luis R. Padilla
President & CEO
Allison Hecker
Senior Executive Assistant to the President & CEO, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium
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