Director, Training & Development

Old Republic Bitco is seeking a Training & Development Director to join our Home Office located in Davenport, IA.  As a respected specialty insurer with 11 branch offices across 10 states, OR Bitco delivers tailored insurance solutions to complex industries such as construction, forestry products, and oil & gas.

This position is open to hybrid work arrangement, blending flexibility with meaningful in-person collaboration.

At OR Bitco, our work is guided by core values. We care deeply about our people, partners, and customers. We are committed to excellence and accountability. We deliver on our promises with integrity and precision, and we strive to make a meaningful impact on everything we do. These values drive our mission to protect the people and industries that keep America running.

Join the OR Bitco team and be part of a workplace built on collaboration, open communication, and a positive culture that supports growth and success. If you are passionate about operational excellence and ready to make a measurable impact within a growing, industry-leading organization, OR Bitco offers the platform and challenge you have been seeking.

Position Summary:

In this role, you’ll lead the strategy and execution of training and development programs that build workforce capability and support business performance.  As part of the HR leadership team, you’ll oversee leadership development, onboarding, compliance training, functional skills training, talent development, and career development initiatives.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Sets the strategy for and oversees the design, delivery, and evaluation of an enterprise learning portfolio, including leadership development, compliance training, onboarding, and functional skills training, aligned with organizational capability needs and business priorities.
• Builds and leads a scalable Training and Development team and operating model, combining internal expertise, external partners, and technology to meet current and future business needs. Recruits, coaches, develops, and retains talent; defines the capabilities, roles, capacity, goals, and performance expectations required to execute the learning strategy and maintain high standards of performance, collaboration, and professional development.
• Builds on existing training frameworks and refines them to create a robust, scalable training ecosystem that supports leadership and individual contributor development across all departments.
• Partners with department leaders to identify capability gaps and align training initiatives with business needs and goals.
• Leads the learning technology strategy, including identifying and implementing modern learning approaches and technologies such as microlearning, blended learning, and LMS optimization.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of training programs and continuously refines them based on feedback, assessments, and evolving business needs, ensuring measurable impact and alignment with business priorities.
• Partners with HR colleagues and business leaders to design and lead annual talent management processes, including competency assessments and talent reviews (9-Box), and translates outcomes into targeted leadership, career, and individual development plans.
• Designs and maintains role-based learning pathways, competency models, and career development tools that clarify skill expectations, support internal mobility, and guide individual development planning.
• Partners with HR leadership and key stakeholders to support organizational change through capability assessments, learning plans, leader enablement, and adoption resources aligned with strategic priorities.
• Collaborates with the holding company to align local Learning and Development strategies, programs, and initiatives with enterprise-wide goals, standards, and best practices while customizing approaches for local business needs.
• Performs all other functions and duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business, or a related field.

Experience

• 8+ years of progressive experience in Training and Development, Learning and Development, talent development, or a related field, including experience leading a learning function, team, or enterprise-wide portfolio.
• Proven experience leading the full learning lifecycle, including needs analysis, program and curriculum design, facilitation, implementation, learning technology, and evaluation of leadership and workforce development initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of adult learning principles, instructional design, leadership development, competency-based development, and practices that support the application of learning on the job.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Strong portfolio and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple initiatives, manage budgets and vendors, interpret learning data, and deliver results across competing business needs.
• Ability to exercise a high degree of discretion and maintain confidentiality when working with sensitive employee, organizational, and business information.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, learning management systems, virtual learning platforms, content development tools, and reporting or analytics systems used to manage and evaluate learning programs.
• Ability to think strategically, identify priorities, and align learning initiatives with broader business goals.
• Ability to communicate clearly, engage stakeholders, and influence decisions across all levels of the organization.
• Ability to build strong relationships, develop others, and work collaboratively across teams and functions.
• Ability to adapt to changing business needs, embrace new ideas, and identify opportunities to improve learning approaches.
• Ability to maintain focus on priorities, drive initiatives forward, and deliver meaningful results.

Benefits: 

• Competitive salary paired with a comprehensive benefits package
• Generous paid time off, plus 12 paid holidays annually
• Comprehensive health coverage, including medical, dental, and vision plans
• Additional protection through accidents, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance
• Company-paid life insurance equal to 2× annual salary
• Company-paid short-term and long-term disability coverage
• 401(k) Savings and Profit-Sharing Plan through Old Republic
• Ongoing education, training, and professional development opportunities
• Support for industry certifications and insurance designations, including financial assistance
• Opportunities to give back through corporate philanthropy and community service initiatives
• Optional benefits including travel, commuter, and pet insurance
• Employee wellness support through a dedicated fitness program