Statewide Director of Learning and Development

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is seeking a Statewide Director of Learning and Development (L&D). As the leader of DDS’s Learning and Development team, the Statewide Director provides vision and direction to a statewide group of training professionals. A key responsibility of the Statewide Director is designing and executing a comprehensive learning strategy that is both scalable and adaptable, addressing the organization’s core competencies. mandatory training requirements, and professional development goals. The Director emphasizes consistency and quality across regions while supporting localized needs, ensuring that every training initiative is designed to accommodate workforce diversity, operational pressures, and varying levels of digital fluency. This role ensures that over 6000 DDS staff, working in diverse environments, are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and tools to deliver exceptional care and support to more than 50,000 individuals and families. This includes fostering expertise in instructional design, facilitation, and advanced learning technologies to ensure the team remains agile and innovative. The Director champions the use of tools such as Articulate Storyline and Rise for eLearning development, Snagit and Camtasia for video creation, and Vimeo for secure, scalable content distribution. By leveraging these tools, the Director ensures training resources are accessible, engaging, and aligned with the diverse needs of DDS staff. 

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all-inclusive): 

- Design and lead a comprehensive learning strategy that aligns with DDS’s mission, vision, and evolving operational needs. 

- Conduct regular needs assessments and partner with leadership to define strategic priorities, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.

- Establish and communicate a forward-thinking vision for training and workforce development, supported by robust program evaluation, data analysis, and annual updates to ensure continuous improvement and scalability. 

- Facilitate alignment of regional training teams under a unified framework of best practices, leveraging innovative delivery methods and emerging technologies to ensure all staff, regardless of location, have access to high-quality, standardized training. 

- Partner with department leaders, including Field Operations, Legal, OQE, and Human Rights, to integrate best practices into workforce development.

 - Develop strategies for recruitment, onboarding, and retention, focusing on cultivating a diverse workforce and creating inclusive training programs that support equitable opportunities for staff at all levels. 

- Lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of impactful workforce development programs, such as the Direct Support Certificate Program, Urban Youth Program, and Internship initiatives. 

- Oversee the design, development, and delivery of training programs, ensuring adherence to instructional design principles and adult learning theory.

- Regularly update curricula to reflect changes in state and federal regulations, DDS policies, and advancements in care delivery practices. 

- Leverage eLearning tools such as Articulate Storyline and Rise to create engaging, interactive training experiences. 

- Maximize the effectiveness of the MassAchieve Learning Management System to deliver training, track compliance, and generate actionable insights. 

- Establish and manage a systematic process to track and ensure compliance with all mandatory training requirements, including those mandated by statute, policy, and regulation. 

- Develop and oversee contracts with external providers for curriculum design, development, and delivery where specialized expertise is required.