Manager Employee Learning, Engagement & Communications

Position Summary

The Manager of Employee Learning, Engagement & Communications serves as the champion of the employee experience. This position is responsible for designing and enhancing the employee experience throughout the employment lifecycle, including onboarding, professional development, employee engagement, wellness, recognition, and internal communications.

The Manager partners with campus leaders to create meaningful learning opportunities, strengthen employee engagement, improve organizational communication, and support a positive and productive workplace culture in alignment with the university’s strategic plan. The position utilizes technology and innovative practices to provide scalable, cost-effective solutions that support employee success and the institution’s mission and vision.

This role focuses on building systems, resources, and programs that help employees thrive while promoting a culture of continuous learning, connection, well-being and service excellence.

This position reports to the Director of Human Resources.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Employee Experience & Engagement

• Lead efforts to enhance the employee experience across the employee lifecycle at the university that also reflects each employee's unique career stage.
• Develop and implement initiatives that promote employee engagement, connection, and retention.
• Assist with employee recognition and appreciation programs, including the annual community-wide appreciation luncheon.
• Evaluate, recommend and implement strategies that strengthen workplace culture and employee satisfaction.
• Provide wellness initiatives that promote employee well-being in concert with the university health insurance provider, financial and other employee benefit partners.

Learning & Professional Development

• Develop and manage professional development opportunities for staff.
• Coordinate leadership and supervisor development programs.
• Identify employee and organizational learning needs through assessment and feedback.
• Design and facilitate training programs, workshops, and learning events.
• Create self-paced learning resources, guides, videos, and job aids.
• Promote affordable and creative learning opportunities utilizing internal and external resources.

Onboarding & Employee Success

• Design and administer a comprehensive onboarding program for new employees that strengthens the university culture.
• Coordinate new employee orientation and onboarding activities.
• Facilitate onboarding resources, checklists, and learning pathways for managers and supervisors.
• Partner with supervisors to ensure successful employee integration, early engagement and retention.
• Evaluate and continuously improve the onboarding experience.

Compliance & Required Training

• Coordinate required employee training programs, including:
  • FERPA
  • Title IX
  • Cybersecurity Awareness
  • Harassment Prevention
  • Other required institutional training
• Maintain training records, monitor participation and completion rates.

Employee Communications

• Create consistent messaging regarding HR programs, initiatives, policies, and resources.
• Manage employee-facing HR content on the intranet, SharePoint sites, and other communication platforms.
• Assist with newsletters, announcements, and employee resource materials.

Technology & Innovation

• Utilize Microsoft 365 tools, including Teams, SharePoint, Forms, Power Automate, and Copilot, to improve learning, communication, and employee engagement.
• Create digital resource libraries and self-service employee tools.
• Identify opportunities to automate and streamline employee-facing processes.

Assessment & Reporting

• Establish metrics to evaluate learning, engagement, and onboarding initiatives.
• Monitor participation, effectiveness, and employee feedback.
• Prepare reports and recommendations based on data and trends.

Other Responsibilities

• Serve on campus committees and cross-functional teams as assigned.
• Support HR initiatives and special projects.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Education,  Communications, Business Administration, or related field.
• Three to five years of experience in employee development, training, adult education, human resources, or a related field.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Experience facilitating both in-person and virtual training.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education.
• Experience designing and delivering professional development programs.
• Experience creating digital learning content and self-service resources.
• Familiarity with learning management systems and learning technologies.
• Professional certification such as APTD, PHR, SHRM-CP or similar
• Experience using Microsoft Copilot and Microsoft 365 tools.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of adult learning principles and employee development practices.
• Ability to develop engaging and effective training programs.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff, and leadership.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive campus community.

The Manager of Employee Learning, Engagement & Communications owns the employee experience for staff. The role ensures employees have the information, resources, development opportunities, and support they need to be successful from their first day through every stage of their career with the University.