Director: Learning & Development

Remote-based in the US or UK 

Who We Are 

8th Light is a global team of software, design, and technology professionals. Rooted in a culture of continuous learning and collaboration, we’re employee-owned, and headquartered in Chicago, but our more than 150 team members live and work in locations including London, New York, Los Angeles, and Austin. 

We partner with forward-thinking people and organizations to help them imagine and create elegant, robust, and groundbreaking software solutions to complex problems.We embrace the need for adaptability in a constantly changing world. We specialize in hiring and developing technical talent allowing for and nurturing a conducive environment for growth -- where people feel supported to thrive. By exemplifying the values of humanity, education, and ownership in everything we do, our crafters help clients master the challenges in front of them while building great opportunities ahead. 

We enjoy working with empathetic, passionate collaborators who value the work they do. At this time, we are seeking a full time Director of Learning and Development to expand and create the programs that foster the growth and development of our people, our engine for our global team. Being that our people are the heartbeat of the company, supporting and nurturing their development is key to our continuous health and evolution. A cultural distinction of 8th Light is its focus on education which emphasizes the need for a solid Learning and Development practice and the opportunity for this leader to make a realized impact.  This position will report directly to the VP of People Operations while partnering closely with other departmental stakeholders as a member of the leadership team.  

Who You Are

The role is modeled for a person keenly interested in connecting with our people on a level directly attributed to their desires, interests and motivations to realize their potential at work. 8th Light’s diversity in our workforce also adds to the vibrancy and support we provide to each other internally as colleagues. A person with experience developing and leading a continuous learning program that focuses on the core skills and abilities that make managers shine while also rolling out on-demand leadership training for an entire global organization will be well suited to thrive in this role. In addition to the these traits a person who has previously demonstrated the following, should consider applying to this role:

• Worked in a HR team for a software company or consultancy at a Sr. Manager level for at least 4 years in the capacity of Learning and Development.
• Created continuous learning programs and structured learning paths based on competencies for career pathing across a global organization.
• Rolled out a framework for succession planning that quantitatively identifies employees’ promotion readiness, potential and timeline.
• Built curriculum and content for training and development organizationally on topics that anchor to the support of people to deliver on their daily responsibilities and to nurture their growth.
• Utilized and optimized a Learning Management Systems (LMS) in order to deliver continuous and on-demand learning to employees.
• Measured the impact of L&D through data-driven insights.
• Rolled out company-wide training programs on topics such as communication strategies. Highly preferred if this person is accredited in Insights Discovery®, or similar. 
• Must have extremely strong data analysis skills as they apply to measuring the impact of L&D and organizational design.

What You’ll Do At 8th Light

You will be seen as the go-to-person for all things learning and training focused. This includes the support of our clients and the codification of new skills and team learning and development. In addition to your work to understand, grow and support our workforce through your expertise and use of best practices, you will:

• Build out and implement continuous and on-demand Manager and Leadership training for the company.
• Lead Career Pathing discussions with leadership and managers so all can contribute to the development of our people by unlocking opportunities for their advancement and for the retention of our top performers.
• Work with technical, design and delivery leaders to define the competencies for technologists including advancements and trends in the industry.
• Implement learning paths for the entire company that will provide a foundation for key competency areas.
• Help the organization evolve and advance to platforms that support and deliver an on-demand and continuous learning experience with ample resources for all levels and positions within the organization.
• Evolve and add to the curriculum of the Apprenticeship Program of 8th Light and be a key stakeholder in developing future Apprenticeship content.  
• Measure the impact of the L&D programs through changed behavior, competency attainment, ramp-up time, performance and potential (9 box philosophy), succession planning, promotion rates, etc.  MUST have a strong background in drawing insights based on the data collected in L&D.
• Will be a thought partner to the executive leadership team and VP of People in the formation and implementation of a global training program for all employees

What You Won’t Do At 8th Light

This position is not set to have a focus on new hire on-boarding or orientation.  The on-boarding and off-boarding processes are owned by HR.

• This position will not have ownership of performance management processes such as promotions, talent reviews, performance improvement plans, and employee relations.

Nice to Have

At 8th Light, we work across many areas, and encourage anyone with the experience or interest mentioned above to apply. We particularly, would like to encourage applicants with experience in the following areas to apply:

• Undergraduate of Masters Degree in HR or Human Resources Management or Organizational Behavior is a plus.
• Strong organizational, project management, data analysis and stress management skills.
• Should have a strong understanding of the L&D best practices, trending L&D topics, and certifications on different methodologies.
• An ability to work with little to no supervision across a global tech or consulting company.
• Rolled out and evolved a company DEIB strategy, including  principles, timelines and investment with co-contributors.
• Preference will be given to candidates who live in the US.  Will consider candidates based in London as long as they are willing to work US hours. 

Compensation 

US-based candidates: $110,000 - $150,000

UK-based candidates: £60,000 - £100,000

Join Us –– 8th Light is Fully Remote

We recognize that creating a truly diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization is an ongoing journey, and we’re excited to share our journey with you. We have a proud tradition of hiring talented colleagues with unusual career experiences. We're more interested in your experiences, results, and impact than brand names, degrees, or keywords that may appear on your resume.

8th Light currently recruits and supports a distributed team of employees in various states who work remotely. When opportunities allow we can also consider hiring talent eligible to work in the United Kingdom, Mexico, and Canada. In this new workplace landscape, it is rare that our consulting engagements require travel for current roles. 

We are committed to supporting, onboarding, growth, and engagement of employees who choose to work remotely on a permanent basis. For team members who seek to work in-office, where local regulations allow, we can provide an experience that supports in-person social interaction and collaboration in our hub cities of Chicago, New York, London and Los Angeles. Learn more about our philosophy, plans, and updates by signing up for our Talent Community!

How You’ll be Supported

We want our people to feel supported and encouraged to embrace their most authentic selves. Our wellness package at 8th Light is centered around the Whole YOU. Offerings that include:

• Annual budget for learning & development 
• 4 weeks PTO 
• 3 Wellness days
• 12 weeks of new parent leave available immediately
• Fertility benefits

See our full list of Benefits