Sr. Lead Learning & Development Program Manager

Upwork ($UPWK) is the world’s work marketplace. We serve everyone from one-person startups to large, Fortune 100 enterprises with a powerful, trust-driven platform that enables companies and talent to work together in new ways that unlock their potential.

Last year, more than $3.8 billion of work was done through Upwork by skilled professionals who are gaining more control by finding work they are passionate about and innovating their careers.

We are looking for a dynamic Sr Learning & Development Lead to join our team. We are a small team of learning specialists and program managers helping to shape the holistic talent development strategy for employees and managers. In this role, you will support the development of our team members through work on hiring, career frameworks, supporting our talent processes, and more. You will be at the forefront of building out our functional leveling work and leading the implementation of new processes, tools, and practices, working closely with the business and our HR/G&A teams. This is an exciting opportunity to shape and implement impactful talent development strategies within a leading global work marketplace.

Responsibilities

• Partner with our recruiting organization to drive hiring effectiveness initiatives that improve recruitment and onboarding processes.

• Support the design and implementation of hiring manager and interviewer training

• Partner with business leaders across upwork to build out their functional career ladders

• Ensure the ladders are comprehensive, clear, and aligned with business needs.

• Collaborate with stakeholders to gather necessary information and validate content.

• Manage the key stakeholders and project timeline to ensure timely and high-quality completion

• Assist in the successful implementation of our performance management tools and processes. Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of talent programs and make data-driven recommendations for improvement.

• Work within and across the team to ensure a high bar for our talent programs

• Manage relationships with third-party resources, vendors and/or partners

• Overseeing program evaluation and data tracking to drive improvements over time

What it takes to catch our eye:

• Proven experience in talent management and development

• Instructional design experience with a focus on developing, implementing, and continuously improving online and virtual in-person learning experiences.

• Strong expertise in implementing functional career ladders and talent systems.

• Excellent project management skills with the ability to lead and execute complex initiatives.

• You are comfortable in a fast-paced, hands-on environment with several programs moving in parallel

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective business partnerships.

• Experience with system implementation, specifically with talent management systems 

• Strong analytical skills and the ability to make data-driven decisions.

• Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 7-10+ years of Learning & Development, Training Program Management and/or Leadership Development experience

• Proven history of designing and managing complex programs and successfully implementing effective training experiences

• Familiarity with Upwork’s platform and freelance workforce dynamics.

• Proven impact integrating an inclusion and equity lens into curriculum design and development 

• Track record of proactive and effective partnerships with key stakeholders where you ensured timely delivery of services and met business needs

• Ability to see the big picture, question existing ways of doing things, and look for ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness of our leadership programs

• Positive, can-do attitude with a high level of energy and strong work ethic. 

• Experience working in a fast-paced tech environment and is always thinking of ways technology can better enable our learning programs

Come change how the world works.

At Upwork, you’ll shape talent solutions for how the world works today. We are a remote-first organization working together to create exciting remote work opportunities for a global community of professionals.  While we have physical offices in San Francisco and Chicago, currently we also support hiring of corporate full-time employees in 19 states in the United States. Please speak with a member of our recruitment team to determine whether you are located in a state in which we are hiring corporate full-time employees. 

At the core of our vibrant culture are shared values that form the foundation of our organization. These values revolve around trust, risk-taking, customer focus, and excellence. Our overarching mission is to create economic opportunities so that people have better lives. We foster an environment where individuals are encouraged to bring their authentic selves to work, nurturing personal and professional growth through development opportunities, mentorship programs, and participation in Upwork Belonging Communities.

We take pride in providing exceptional benefits to our employees. These include comprehensive medical insurance coverage for both you and your family, unlimited paid time off, a 401(k) plan with matching contributions, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. To explore these benefits in detail, as well as gain insights into our company values, working principles, and the overall employee experience, we invite you to visit our Life at Upwork page.

Upwork is proudly committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we never discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.