Learning & Development Manager

Meet Upside

We created Upside to help communities thrive! Our retail technology uses the sophistication of online retail—profit measurement, attribution, and incrementality—to provide users with more value on their everyday purchases and brick and mortar businesses with new, profitable customers. We’ve helped millions of users earn 2 to 3 times more cash back than any other product, and tens of thousands of brick and mortar businesses earn measurable profit. Billions of dollars in commerce run through the Upside platform every year, and that value goes directly back to our local retailers, the consumers they serve, and towards important sustainability initiatives. Our mission, values, and commitment to inclusivity guide our team of more than 300 people worldwide, and the quality of our culture is reflected in the impact we’ve had on communities nationwide. You’ll join a Team whose experience hails from places such as Google, Uber, Amazon, Instacart, Capital One, and MasterCard with proven startup executives and venture capitalists.

Upside was named #2 on Deloitte's 2021 list of Fastest Growing 500 Tech Companies and  #308 in Inc.’s America’s fastest growing private companies of 2022. Upside’s Series D funding was raised in March 2022 and led by General Catalyst at a $1.5 billion valuation. Other investors include Bessemer Ventures and Formation8. 

About the job:

The L&D Manager will support learning and development related programs and processes. This individual contributor role will handle the development of processes, tools and supporting training & communications materials for all Upside Learning programs to ensure the effective deployment and desired objectives are realized for our employees. They also will report on program status and organize and analyze data to assess the effectiveness of programs.

What you’ll do:

• Supports development of processes and tools to help leaders more effectively develop, lead and reward talent. Creates and coordinates the development of internal and external event promotional and preparation materials as needed.
• Attends events, as appropriate, to direct staff and outside vendors and ensure events are carried out in an efficient manner; quickly solves all event problems and emergencies.
• Supports integration of learning and development related processes and programs to develop talent, continue to improve our culture and drive profitable growth. Supports introduction of tools and methods to enhance and develop desired behaviors throughout the organization.
• Supports improvements in talent development related approaches, processes, programs and systems that result in enhanced skill development, deeper bench strength and improved talent readiness for targeted positions.
• Assist leaders and users of programs and tools by developing supporting training / communications, job-aids based on standard processes.
• Source vendors and handles vendor relationships to ensure access to a large variety of service and support. Work with key internal teams and vendors to resolve cost estimates and program budget. Tracks statements or work, invoices and spending in adherence to budget; prepares budget reports.
• Research current best practices and refine processes and tools as required to ensure strategic learning approaches are applied to programs.
• Lead all programs including, but not limited to coordinating services with supporting suppliers, internal meeting planning, catering services, meeting room and audio/visual equipment and learning materials. Work with the internal People Operations team for registration, enrollment, program calendar management and program results tracking and analysis.
• Project lead various programs such as Onboarding, skills training, leadership and professional development programs and process deployments. Assist in the development and compile training manuals and training aids or supervise their development by outside suppliers.
• Identify, develop and track key talent development metrics and prepare quarterly reports for review by leadership as required.

What you need:

• Bachelor Degree required
• 2-5 years relevant corporate experience, project management or program management required. Learning and development related roles a plus
• Demonstrated track record of taking initiative, working independently while handling multiple priorities
• Experience working in a fast paced, service oriented, highly matrixed environment
• Ability to contribute to large, complex projects within demanding time constraints and budget parameters.
• Capable of developing and maintaining effective relationships, internally and externally
• Strong organization skills, superb attention to detail, strong service orientation
• Strong Process Improvement and Project Management skills required.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills

The fine print:

• Location: This role is based in Washington, D.C. In-office attendance is required several times a month based around the L&D training schedule. Full Covid-19 vaccination is required to work from our Upside offices.
• Notice to recruiters and placement agencies: This is an in-house search with a dedicated recruiter. Please do not submit resumes to any person or email address at Upside. Upside is not liable for, and will not pay, placement fees for candidates submitted by any party or agency other than its approved recruitment partners.

At Upside, we believe that diversity drives innovation. Our differences are what makes us stronger. We‘re passionate about building a workplace that represents a variety of backgrounds, skills, and perspectives and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Everyone is welcome here. Come join us!