Director, Training

Job Description:

The Director, Training leads the strategy, design, and execution of enterprise learning, leadership development, and talent systems that drive operational excellence, leadership capability, and a best-in-class guest experience. This role oversees field training, organizational development, and learning & development to ensure all programs are strategically aligned, effectively designed, and consistently executed across the organization.

As the connection between Support Center strategy and in-store execution, this leader ensures every training solution not only builds capability but also reinforces a culture where team members deliver memorable, high-energy, and guest-first experiences.

Key Responsibilities

1. Training Strategy & Business Alignment

• Define and lead the overall training strategy aligned to business goals, operational priorities, and brand standards
• Establish a clear vision for how training drives Guest experience and hospitality behaviors, leadership capability and bench strength, and operational excellence and consistency
• Partner with senior leaders to identify capability gaps and prioritize high-impact learning initiatives
• Ensure training supports key business drivers (guest experience, sales, retention, compliance, leadership development)
• Establish a clear roadmap for leadership development, onboarding, and operational training

2. Team Leadership & Functional Alignment

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team including instructional design, LMS and learning technology, and field training execution.
• Create clear roles, accountability, and ways of working across the team
• Ensure strong alignment between content design, system deployment, and field execution
• Influence leaders across the business to take ownership of training and development within their teams

3. Instructional Design & Content Strategy

• Set standards for instructional design, ensuring content is:
  • Operationally relevant (FOH/BOH application)
  • Engaging and scalable
  • Aligned with adult learning principles and rooted in guest-centric behaviors
• Lead development of training for new initiatives & systems
• Ensure existing training materials are up-to-date, accurate, and relevant
• Ensure consistency across brands while allowing for operational flexibility

4. Learning Technology & LMS Strategy

• Ensure effective deployment, tracking, and reporting of all training programs
• Leverage LMS data to measure adoption, completion, and effectiveness
• Partner with LMS SME to continuously improve user experience and functionality
• Drive innovation in how learning is delivered (microlearning, mobile-first, in-the-moment tools)

5. Field Training Integration & Execution

• Ensure training translates effectively from design to real-world execution in the field
• Partner with Field Training Manager to:
  • Validate that hospitality standards are being demonstrated—not just understood
  • Reinforce training during key moments (menu launches, peak seasons, new initiatives)
  • Coach leaders on how to model and reinforce hospitality behaviors with their teams
• Establish feedback loops from field to continuously improve training

6. Training Project Lifecycle Management

• Establish enterprise processes for training intake, prioritization, and execution
• Ensure all initiatives are delivered with clear timelines and accountability, strong stakeholder alignment, and operational readiness
• Balance competing priorities to focus on highest-impact initiatives

7. Measurement, Insights & Continuous Improvement (Owns)

• Define and track key training success metrics:
  • Guest experience (OSAT, feedback trends)
  • Team member engagement and retention
  • Operational performance and sales
• Use data and insights to continuously refine training strategy and improve effectiveness

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in Learning & Development, Training, Operations, or related field
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing multi-functional training teams
• Experience in hospitality, restaurant, retail, or multi-unit environments strongly preferred
• Proven ability to build and execute enterprise-level learning strategies
• Strong understanding of:
  • Instructional design and adult learning
  • Operational execution in guest-facing environments
  • Learning technologies and LMS platforms
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders and drive cross-functional alignment
• Strong business acumen and ability to connect training to measurable outcomes
• Strong project management and prioritization skills

WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?:

Dave & Buster’s is an imaginative and dynamic company dedicated to creating innovative entertainment experiences that bring joy, laughter, and excitement to people of all ages. Our mission is to foster a culture of fun and creativity, and we take pride in our commitment to delivering memorable and unique entertainment solutions.

• Exclusive discounts on food and games at D&B & Main Event
• Paid Time Off (PTO) that increases with tenure
• 11 Company Holidays (Including your Birthday) & 2 Floating Holidays per year
• Medical, dental, vision and voluntary benefits
• Part Time/Full Time benefits available
• Sub Benefits:
• Livongo and Telehealth benefits
• 401k with company match following 6 months of employment
• Buster’s Legacy Fund (Supports Team Members during difficult Times)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Offerings
• Work out facility on-site
• Employee Power Card | Free Video Games

We work hard, play hard and have FUN!

Salary Range:

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We are an equal opportunity employer and participate in E-Verify in states where required.