Director of Learning & Development

TrueNorth is seeking a Director of Learning & Development to join our team in Cedar Rapids, IA. This role will be responsible for developing and leading an enterprise-wide learning and development strategy that advances TrueNorth’s vision of a lifetime learning organization, strengthens the TrueNorth Way (our service philosophy), and supports client trust, profitable organic growth, and long-term perpetuation. TrueNorth uses our core values of Exceptionalism, Collaboration and Resourcefulness to enthusiastically serve our clients, colleagues and communities. Our ideal candidates are hungry, humble and smart!

About TrueNorth Companies:

Our clients face great risk and big opportunities. They seek leadership, integrity and real results. For over twenty-five years, TrueNorth has met our clients' needs by providing innovative strategies and a personal connection to those we serve. Our integrated platform of risk management, employee benefits and personal financial strategies creates a multifaceted approach to address today's ever-changing complexities. Come join our amazing team!

What TrueNorth Offers:

TrueNorth offers a lineup of excellent benefits to all full-time employees, including:

• Annual Bonus
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and Disability Insurance
• 401(k) with Company Contributions
• Responsible Time Off (RTO): Flexible time off with a required minimum to ensure rest and balance
• 11 paid holidays
• Paid Volunteer Time Off and Donation Match Program
• Tuition reimbursement and paid certifications, licenses, designations
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellness program with financial incentives
• Hybrid Work Schedule
• $3,000 Referral Bonus

Essential Job Functions:

• Design the strategic direction for all staff learning and development (L&D), managing the annual calendar pertaining to each division and line of focus.
• Administer, manage, design, and facilitate training programs in support of TrueNorth’s strategies, including but not limited to, remote learning solutions, leadership programs, performance management process and career development
• Meet with leaders to identify and prioritize educational objectives for specific roles and/or individuals to improve insurance technical knowledge, best practices, procedure compliance and appropriate role competencies, while properly engaging and aligning third-party vendors and resources. This could include divisional or cross-functional skill and competency building with business outcomes clearly identified with outlined measurements of success
• Oversee our technical insurance academy that builds foundational knowledge, strengthens technical expertise, and prepares colleagues to deliver consistent advice and exceptional client service.
• Equip leaders and colleagues with coaching tools, development resources, and clear expectations that reinforce shared responsibility for learning and encourage colleagues to take ownership of their development.
• Partner with leaders to both field requests, understanding their unique training and development needs- and to proactively build quality, proactive, unique and strategic team solutions
• Design, maintain, curate, customize, facilitate and localize course content (both internal and external) with a primary focus on corporate values and/or standards
• Strategically align general L&D vision catering to different levels of leadership and firm/divisional objectives, owning the Annual Leadership Development Calendar
• Cultivate relationships with community partners and external learning providers to expand development opportunities, strengthen talent referral pathways, and support TrueNorth’s reputation as an organization where colleagues can build lasting careers.
• Maintain a working knowledge of each business unit’s products, services and standards. Perform due diligence to make learning and development opportunities available related to these nuances, including designations, trainings, conferences, in-house speaker presentations and/or experiential learning opportunities.
• Enhance, facilitate, and drive participation and engagement with our new leader training series for new and aspiring leaders.
• Develop, implement, monitor, plan, and measure programing effectiveness, engagement, quality, and training outcomes
• Oversee proper branding on our internal certification process, which includes proper long-term documentation of learning and development efforts
• Assist in the administrative and preparative functions for guest presenters in the Cedar Rapids office. This may include pre-planning meetings, submitting tickets for corporate support and/or setting up event spaces, taking attendance, proctoring online meetings/presentations, collaborating with the Technology Team to set up sound and display, welcoming external guests, ordering food, etc.
• Contribute to our Producer development plans to build sales capabilities, business acumen, and entrepreneurial skills to support the development of specialized niche practices
• Assume ownership of our internal training information system, which includes our career development program.
• Analyze course content and evaluate programs to recommend improvements and changes to enhance the quality of curriculum and ensure it meets the needs of the intended audiences, particularly in the areas of AI, insurance, leadership development, and sales. This could involve partnering with third-party vendors.
• Direct change management learning and support that helps leaders prepare colleagues for meaningful organizational enhancements, communicate expectations, and build the skills needed to adapt to new ways of working.
• Welcome new colleagues to the organization by customizing a individualized training plan, in collaboration with our teammates.
• Advance AI and data fluency through practical learning opportunities that help colleagues apply technology responsibly, improve decisions, and free capacity for work requiring human judgment and relationships.
• Ensure effective and timely cascading communication, engagement, and adoption with the L&D training calendar and offerings. This may include pre-training reminders to bring materials, come in-person, etc. and post-training follow-ups, reminders, and calls to action.
• Assist with the management and facilitation of resources from our consulting partnerships, ensuring these concepts are interwoven throughout all L&D components and are considered in the overall L&D strategy
• Serve as the expert in DiSC and any other screening and/or assessment philosophies pertaining to development, team building, working relationships, etc.
• Work with leadership to forecast and manage training budgets within business units, aid in tracking and report spend to those that forecast and manage. Properly allocate funds billed to the Learning and Development department.
• Travel to and collaborate with regional offices as needed to ensure alignment in processes, initiatives, and practices as needed.
• Motivate, inspire, support, develop and lead direct reports, while addressing concerns and coaching them, when necessary.

Credentials:

• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• Ten or more years of professional work experience in training, development, higher education, and/or academia is required.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, and PowerPoint functions.
• Prior experience in project management is required.
• Five or more years of direct leadership is required.
• Experience with Learning Management Systems preferred.
• Familiar with training and adult education platforms; prior experience implementing and supporting is ideal.
• AI proficiency/experience with Copilot’s Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and search function required.
• Background in insurance and/or sales preferred.
• Licensing and/or certifications, as necessary.

Skills:

• Senior-level accountability, sound judgment, integrity, and professional discretion
• Strategic leadership, business acumen, and the ability to translate strategy into action
• Advanced knowledge application with both broad business expertise and deep functional expertise
• Strong executive presence, communication, interpersonal effectiveness, and ability to inspire others
• Proven ability to influence decisions, build relationships, negotiate, and create impact across all organizational levels
• Effective people leadership, including delegation, performance management, mentorship, coaching, and talent development
• Adaptability and change leadership, with the ability to navigate complexity, ambiguity, and organizational transitions
• Critical thinking, innovation, conceptualization, problem-solving, and effective prioritization
• Client-centric and culturally aware approach focused on collaboration, service, and delivering business value
• Strong financial acumen, project management, independent execution, and consistent achievement of goals and commitments

Why TrueNorth?

We are a company focused on developing our people and growing the business. We offer a competitive benefit package, wellbeing programs and incentives, and a positive work culture.

TrueNorth is honored to be recognized by the Corridor Business Journal as one of the Coolest Places to Work!

Click here to view a video about TrueNorth's Core Values & what they mean to us.

TrueNorth makes all employment-related decisions on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need, and does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition or any other category protected local, state or federal laws.

Apply today!