Learning & Development Specialist

Position Summary

The Learning & Development Specialist supports the execution of Paws Up Montana’s learning and development strategy under the direction of the Learning & Development Manager. This role helps bring the resort-wide Learning and Development vision to life by coordinating training programs, developing practical learning resources, supporting department supervisors, maintaining training content, coaching trainers, observing training delivery, conducting training audits, and evaluating learning effectiveness. Serving as a key connection between organizational learning initiatives and day-to-day department training, this role helps ensure team members receive consistent, relevant, and effective learning support.

Key Responsibilities

• Training Program Coordination & Delivery: Coordinate, schedule, deliver, and document onboarding, operational, compliance, and department-specific training programs to ensure organized and consistent execution.

• Department Training & Supervisor Coaching: Serve as a primary resource for department supervisors; coach leaders on demonstration, guided practice, real-time feedback, workplace reinforcement, and proficiency verification.

• Content Development & Resource Maintenance: Create, update, and maintain practical learning resources, job aids, SOPs, checklists, and guides; partner with subject matter experts to translate operational knowledge into effective training content.

• Training Quality, Audits & Effectiveness: Observe training sessions and workplace learning activities; conduct regular training audits to identify opportunities for consistency and continuous improvement in service standards.

• Train-the-Trainer & Compliance Support: Support supervisors in applying Train-the-Trainer practices; track required compliance training and partner with People & Culture on LMS/HRIS administration, reporting, and user support.

• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Build strong working relationships with department leaders and People & Culture partners to identify skill gaps and design targeted training solutions.

• Ad-Hoc Duties: Perform additional operational assignments and learning projects as assigned by the Learning & Development Manager.

Qualifications

• Experience: 2 - 4 years of experience in hospitality operations, luxury resort service, adult education, or human resources/learning & development within a guest-facing service environment strongly preferred. 

• Specialized Knowledge: Solid understanding of adult learning principles, instructional design, coaching techniques, performance support, and Train-the-Trainer methodologies.

• Core Skills: Strong written and verbal communication, public speaking, group facilitation, project coordination, and interpersonal skills; highly organized and adaptable to changing operational priorities.

• Technical Proficiency: Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams); hands-on experience with Learning Management Systems (Absorb or Cornerstone LMS) and e-learning authoring tools (e.g., Articulate 360) strongly preferred.

• Work Style: Collaborative, enthusiastic, and service-driven partner capable of building trust across all levels of the resort organization.

• Licensing/Certification: Valid State Driver’s License; Bachelor’s degree in Education, Human Resources, Communications, Hospitality Management, or related field is preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Mobility & Stamina: Ability to sit, stand, walk, and move across office spaces, training rooms, and various resort operational sites during training delivery, observations, and audits.

• Scheduling: Ability to work full-time hours, with flexibility to accommodate training schedules across early morning, evening, weekend, or peak seasonal onboarding periods.

• Lifting & Handling: Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull training materials, presentation equipment, flipcharts, and event supplies weighing up to 25–30 lbs.

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the position. Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Paws Up Montana provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.