Senior Specialist- Learning and Development

Company Description

Walden

More than 50 years ago, Walden University was founded to support adult learners in achieving their academic goals and making a greater impact in their professions and communities. Students from across the U.S. and more than 115 countries are pursuing a certificate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree online at Walden.

We offer more than 100 online degrees and certificate programs. Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org). Visit WaldenU.edu for more information, and follow Walden on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

We operate on a hybrid schedule with four in-office days per week (Monday–Thursday). This approach enhances creativity, innovation, communication, and relationship-building, fostering a dynamic and collaborative work environment.
 

Job Description

Reporting to the Manager, Learning and Development, the Senior Specialist will operate as a Learning & Development generalist, supporting the end-to-end design, development, and facilitation of learning solutions within a function that serves several business units across Walden University. This individual will lead and support project-based work across the full instructional lifecycle—from needs assessment and instructional design through delivery and evaluation—with a continued focus on impactful facilitation and learner experience. 

This role will plan, design, and facilitate multiple colleague onboarding programs across teams, ensuring alignment to business priorities and a consistent, high-quality experience. In addition, this individual will manage cross-functional learning projects, including product partnerships and new program launches, collaborating closely with stakeholders to support major initiative rollouts. 

The Senior Specialist brings a strong consultative skillset, enabling effective partnership across the business to assess needs, recommend learning strategies and modalities, establish timelines, and guide execution. They will contribute to and, at times, lead the creation of learning resources, media, and instructional materials, while also facilitating sessions and reinforcing adoption through effective delivery. 

This individual will play a key role in supporting the project workflow and evolving business needs for the Walden University Learning, Development, and Enablement function, with a broad focus spanning product knowledge, process, skill development, and technical learning. They will partner with and guide team members to ensure consistency, quality, and scalability across learning solutions. The Sr. Specialist role also serves as a role model for our Covista WE values. 

• Serve as a strategic training partner on product, technology, and student recruitment requests for training or instructional resources directed to the enrollment and student success teams. This includes evaluating requests through a consultative lens, recommending and developing a scope of work, partnering with subject matter experts and stakeholders across the enterprise, and executing the design, development, and delivery of instruction or resources. 
• Serve as a primary L&D partner in designing and implementing the Walden University learning and development programming. This includes (but is not limited to) setting up and launching online, in-person, or hybrid training, acting as a consultative point-of-contact for leaders of stakeholder groups, and pulling completion reports and other applicable data to inform decision-making and continuous improvement. 
• Provide additional support as needed within the Walden University learning, development, and enablement function, such as facilitating instructor-led onboarding and technology sessions, while demonstrating a high level of professionalism and business acumen. 
• Lead colleague onboarding and training programs for enrollment and student success teams, partnering with business leaders to align learning strategies with operational goals and performance outcomes. 
• Provide additional support as needed within the Walden University learning, development, and enablement function, such as facilitating instructor-led onboarding and technology sessions, while demonstrating a high level of professionalism and business acumen. 
• Ensure a seamless, student-centered process to deliver exceptional business performance results in partnership with cross-functional teams, building strong internal relatio