Learning & Development Manager

Overview

Title: Learning & Development Manager
Employee Status: Full Time – Exempt
Salary: Grade 06
Starting range: $95,000 – $122,000 | Chicago
Reports to: Chief People Officer
Department: Talent Management
Location: Chicago, IL
Hybrid: In office: T/W | WFH: M/Th/F

Department Function: Our Talent Management (TM) department is the cornerstone of our mission as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and a learning organization. People are our greatest asset, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive, growth-oriented culture that empowers employees to thrive while advancing our purpose. As a CDFI, we exist to create economic opportunities and financial equity for underrepresented and underserved communities.

TM plays a critical role in this mission by attracting, developing, and retaining talent who share our passion for social impact and community empowerment. We prioritize hiring individuals who bring diverse perspectives and lived experiences, ensuring our workforce reflects the communities we serve. Our department champions continuous learning and professional development, equipping employees with the tools and knowledge to innovate and lead in a rapidly changing environment.

Through strategic talent management, equitable compensation practices, and robust engagement programs, we create pathways for growth and success—both for our team members and the communities we impact. In short, TM is not just about managing people; it’s about building a purpose-driven workforce that transforms lives and strengthens communities.

The Organization
IFF is a mission-driven lender, real estate consultant, and developer that helps communities thrive. Key to our success has been a deep sense of purpose, a broad perspective, and a relentless focus on achieving positive results. Across the Midwest we help clients from every sector, including human service agencies, health centers, schools, affordable housing developers, and healthy food grocery operators. Staff contribute extensive business experience and an unrivaled connection to the mission of IFF to the clients we serve.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Partnering to create thriving communities is at the heart of everything we do. We leverage knowledge, capital, and resources to advance equitable and transformational outcomes in under-resourced communities, guided by our commitment to be an inclusive, anti-racist and anti-oppressive institution that honors communities as asset-rich and as experts in their own stories.

Basic Job Function
The Learning & Development Manager leads the design and implementation of enterprise-wide learning initiatives that strengthen organizational performance, facilitates growth and development of employees and supplements mission impact. This role builds and manages a comprehensive L&D platform, designs professional development programs, conducts training programs and, and manages ongoing skills assessments to ensure team members have the capabilities required for high-quality mission impact, community engagement, and operational excellence.

The position reports to the Chief People Officer (CPO). It is responsible for developing learning pathways, evaluating knowledge and skill development, and fostering a culture of continuous learning aligned with IFF’s mission. IFF is looking for candidates with a commitment to the work we do who can demonstrate their creativity, diligence, enthusiasm, growth-mindset, thoughtfulness, and passion to make meaningful change in the areas of economic and racial justice.

Enterprise Learning Strategy & Platform Development

• Develop a multi-year L&D strategy aligned with organizational goals, lending programs, compliance needs, and CDFI Fund requirements.
• Lead the selection, customization, and launch of an enterprise learning platform (LMS), including content structure, user roles, tracking training completions, certifications, skill progression, and reporting.
• Identify skill gaps and create targeted development programs for employees at all levels.
• Design and implement leadership development, manager training, technical training, and professional growth initiatives.
• Build a…