Talent Development Specialist, Lead

We engage the most inspired minds to do their best work wherever they work best—powering the freedom to create worldwide.

WP Engine empowers companies and agencies of all sizes to build, power, manage, and optimize their WordPress websites and applications with confidence. Serving 1.5 million customers across 150+ countries, the global technology company provides premium, enterprise-grade solutions, tools, and services, including specialized platforms for WordPress, industry-tailored eCommerce and agency solution suites, and developer-centric tools like Local, Advanced Custom Fields, and more. WP Engine’s innovative technology and industry-leading expertise are why 8% of the web visits a WP Engine-powered site daily. Learn more at wpengine.com.

Are you a passionate Austin-based Learning and Development professional who enjoys helping managers and individual contributors become stronger in their roles? We are hiring an experienced Talent Development Specialist, Lead to support the growth and development of our team members globally.  

At WP Engine, our Employee Experience  team (HR), is focused on creating the best possible experience for our employees, focusing on what people need and how to provide it. We are looking for a dynamic, resourceful, and experienced Learning & Development Lead, who thrives in and appreciates a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment to join our global DEI, Culture & Development team.  

Reporting to the VP of DEI, Culture & Development, the Talent Development Specialist, Lead is a key member of the team and will play a pivotal and strategic role in fostering growth and development across the organization. This is a strategic role, requiring a mix of instructional design, implementation, evaluation, project management, and strong interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with stakeholders and learners. 

Interested candidates must live in Austin, Texas or at a suitable distance to routinely be in the office (1-2 days per week, or occasionally more as needed).

Target hire date: March 3, 2025

The Day to Day 

This is very much a hands-on role with both administrative and strategic responsibilities, requiring you to manage across global time zones and execute multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously. The ability to multitask and take an idea from concept to execution is key!  The Talent Development Specialist, Lead is responsible for:

• Designing, developing, and delivering relevant, high-impact, interactive learning solutions that support employee development of employees and ensures learner participation, comprehension, and application.  

• Monitoring, evaluating, and continuously innovating training content, to ensure optimal learning outcomes and increased performance

• Consulting with senior stakeholders to understand their perspectives on their learning and development needs and what gaps need to be addressed.

• Fostering a culture of continuous learning and development across the organization.

• Managing, collaborating with, and onboarding external vendors to deliver specialized learning opportunities. 

• Collaborating closely with our People Operations team and serving as the team’s Workday Learning SME.

• In partnership with the VP, DEI,C&D, support key team initiatives such as compliance training, development reviews cycle, employee engagement efforts, leadership summit, and more. 

• Supporting the development, implementation, and management of initiatives that promote DEIB internationally.

• Supporting Employee Experience with cross functional initiatives and other duties as assigned.

Your Experience, Expertise and Passion

Minimum qualifications include: 

• 5+ years of related project management and learning and development experience

• Proficient in curriculum design, ability to design and build programs from strategy to final product

• Demonstrates subject matter expertise and presence by facilitating in a style appropriate for the audience and the session topic

• Strong ethics and cultural awareness. Excellent communication (proposals, reports, presentations) and interpersonal skills.

• Creative problem solving skills, responsiveness, flexibility, consistency and accountability to achieve a positive outcome. 

• Self-starting relationship builder with