Associate Specialist, Learning and Development

Unclassified - Vernon Hills, IL

Full-time - Entry Level

Hybrid - Vernon Hills, IL

About the position

The Associate Specialist of Learning & Development plays a crucial role in supporting the RPM Consumer Group and its operating companies, including Rust-Oleum and DAP Global, in attracting, retaining, developing, and promoting top talent. This position is integral to the Learning & Development team, focusing on the effective coordination of various training programs within the Consumer Group. The Associate Specialist will coordinate multiple Learning & Development projects and act as a liaison for learning initiatives across the organization. In this role, the individual will be responsible for coordinating logistics for training sessions, which includes scheduling, booking venues, arranging travel, and ensuring the necessary equipment is available. They will assist in managing relationships with vendor partners, handle licensing and training requirements, and provide executive reporting. The Associate Specialist will also track and project-plan team milestones and deadlines to ensure timely delivery and execution of training programs. Additionally, they will manage requests for training from stakeholders and coordinate the intake of tuition reimbursement applications. Effective communication is a key aspect of this position. The Associate Specialist will communicate training schedules and details to participants, ensuring timely reminders are sent out. They will also assist in executing the overall communication strategy, promoting Learning & Development events, drafting announcements, and regularly updating course schedules. The role also involves administrative tasks related to Learning & Development, such as assisting in the administration of training evaluations, consolidating participant insights, and managing training-related documentation. The Associate Specialist will stay updated on industry trends and best practices in learning and development, recommending improvements and innovative solutions as necessary. They will support best practices throughout the training lifecycle, including assessment, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. Furthermore, the Associate Specialist will provide support for the corporate learning management system (LMS), ensuring data integrity and enhancing user experience. They will monitor active LMS sessions, troubleshoot user issues, and escalate technical problems as needed. This position is based out of Rust-Oleum's corporate headquarters in Vernon Hills, IL, and operates within a hybrid work environment, allowing for two remote days per week.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate logistics for training sessions, including scheduling, booking venues, travel, and arranging necessary equipment.
• Assist in managing vendor partner relations, licensing, training requirements, and executive reporting.
• Manage requests for training with the appropriate stakeholders.
• Track and project-plan team milestones and deadlines to ensure timely delivery and execution.
• Coordinate the intake of tuition reimbursement applications.
• Manage training facilitator needs in preparation for training and at the training event.
• Communicate training schedules and details to participants and ensure timely reminders.
• Assist in executing the overall communication strategy.
• Promote Learning & Development events and course schedules; draft announcements/features and update course schedule on a regular basis.
• Assist in the administration of training evaluations, consolidate participant insights, survey feedback, and other program success metrics for evaluation.
• Assist in designing and developing training programs and materials tailored to meet organizational goals and employee development needs.
• Manage training-related documentation, including attendance records, evaluations, and feedback, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Stay updated on industry trends and best practices in learning and development to recommend improvements and innovative solutions.
• Support the best practices and methodology in each phase of the training lifecycle: assessment, design, develop, implementation, and evaluation.
• Provide support of corporate learning management system (LMS), course catalogs, hierarchy, and data integrity, as well as seek and implement platform features that enhance user experience.
• Assist in monitoring active corporate learning management system (LMS) sessions and troubleshoot user issues.
• Escalate technical issues for the corporate learning management system (LMS) as necessary.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Learning and Development, Education, Marketing, HR, Administration, or related discipline (or equivalent experience & background).
• 1-3 years professional experience in Learning & Development coordination or similar experience.
• Business mindset with proven experience managing effective learning and development solutions that address business needs.
• Experience working with a Learning Management System (LMS).
• Proficiency in MS Office.

Nice-to-haves

• Knowledge of adult learning theories is desirable.
• Experience with Oracle Learning is a plus.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Business travel insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Stock purchase plan
• Vacation days
• Sick days
• Parental leave
• 401(k) plan after three months of employment
• Vesting in the RPM Pension plan after five years of service
• 9 paid holidays and one floating holiday per year
• Three weeks of vacation on an annualized basis.