Program Leader of Training Delivery and Development

JobSummary

The Program Leader of Training Delivery and Development oversees and manages the Think Small Training Delivery team. This role is focused on meeting the professional development needs of the early childhood care and education ?eld. Responsibilities include organizational management, contract and grant oversight, ?duciary and budgetary responsibilities, and supervision of teams engaged in complex work.

This position supervises the Professional Development Coordinator Team Lead, support staff, and trainers, and contract course content developers. The Program Leader is responsible for overseeing in-person training across 27 counties in Minnesota, as well as statewide online synchronous and asynchronous training in alignment with DCYF work plan deliverables. The role includes overseeing the migration of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)-owned courses into the TSI platform, conducting Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) of the TSI eLearning catalog, maintaining IACET Accreditation, and ensuring course approval within Develop. Common Interactions include: Internal Think Small teams, External partners such as Child Care Aware of Minnesota, Eager-to-Learn, DCYF, Achieve (Minnesota Center for Professional Development), contract trainers, content developers, and marketing team.

EssentialJob Functions

Training & Facilitation

• Develop innovative learning opportunities to support TS mission.
• Develop and deliver new Think Small Institute-owned professional development.
• Maintain fidelity to the Minnesota Knowledge and Competency Framework for Trainers, with particular emphasis on Content Area VII:Technology-based Training Delivery.
• Conduct Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) on the existing TSI eLearning catalog
• Maintain TSI's IACET Accreditation and ensure course content remains approved in Develop

PlanningandOrganizing

• Oversee training and delivery of in-person training in 27 counties and statewide online training (instructor-led and eLearning)
• Direct staff to coordinate and deliver mandated DCYF trainings and align with Parent Aware deadlines
• Manage and oversee the DCYF contract, work plan, deliverables, and reporting
• Execute and report on other grant contracts
• Ensure data collection and reporting in collaboration with the Data team
• Oversee day-to-day operations tied to all contract deliverables and outcomes
• Attend all mandated DCYF trainings, facilitate department meetings, and conduct regular check-ins with the Director
• Maintain overall budget oversight and ?duciary responsibility for Training Delivery
• Troubleshoot and solve daily operational issues
• Coordinate with Eager to Learn on training offerings and delivery

InformationGatheringandProcessing

• Conduct CQI assessments on existing training offerings
• Evaluate data sources for reliability and relevance
• Use technology effectively to gather and process large volumes of information
• Demonstrate advanced pro?ciency in PowerPoint, Excel, and eLearning authoring tools like Articulate Storyline and Rise
• Maintain a complex understanding of Learning Management Systems and instructional design
• Apply best practices for adult learning in both synchronous and asynchronous formats
• Demonstrate competency in anti-racist pedagogy and DEIB practices

ManagingPeople

• Balance employee needs with organizational interests
• Support employee career plans and development
• Apply company policies and procedures to manage staff performance
• Share expertise to support team success
• Coach and mentor colleagues in technical areas
• Oversee staff operations and outcomes
• Support staff in meeting job expectations and performance goals
• Responsible for hiring, training, evaluations, and terminations of direct reports
• Engage with contract content developers as needed

Accountability

• Establish clear roles and responsibilities
• Set objectives, deadlines, and results expectations
• Empower team ownership of problem-solving
• Track and measure progress and adjust as needed
• Share accountability for team success
• Provide regular, timely feedback and recognition
• Ensure adherence to budget and agency standards
• Maintain reliable attendance and safe job performance
• Demonstrate support for the agency's mission and DEIB integration

Teamwork

• Collaborate with coworkers, customers, and external partners
• Actively participate in meetings and agency committees
• Prepare and deliver reports as requested
• Hold current, valid certi?cations as required
• Mentor and support professional development and training staff
• Champion the agency's mission, vision, and DEIB efforts

Education

• Master's degree in Early Childhood Education, Human Development, Instructional Design, or Education preferred
• Minimum of a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education or Education degree required

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in adult education practice and concepts
• Advanced knowledge of the early childhood education landscape
• At least 3 years managing a statewide initiative
• Minimum 3 years of experience in training, teaching, or professional development delivery.
• Approved or eligible for approval as an Achieve–MNCPD Advanced Level Trainer (Expert level preferred).
• Proven ability to train adults using interactive, learner-centered approaches.
• Proven skills in organizational management, budget oversight, and contract reporting
• Experience supervising teams and supporting a collaborative work environment
• Cultural competence in working with diverse communities

ComputerSkills

• Pro?cient in MS Office programs (Outlook, Word, Teams, SharePoint, PowerPoint) and eLearning authoring tools like Articulate Storyline and Rise is preferred.
• Knowledge of Learning Management Systems is a plus

PhysicalDemands

• Moderately active position with metro and statewide travel required
• Occasional lifting of over 20 pounds
• Frequent keyboarding and communication by phone, email, and in person

TravelRequirements

• Hybrid; two days in-office
• Periodic travel within Minnesota
• Occasional evening or weekend meetings
• On-call availability for evening and weekends as needed
• Other items that align with scope of the position, the professional development team, and early childhood programs.

About Think Small

Since 1971, Think Small has been dedicated to raising the standard of care for Minnesota's children. Founded in Saint Paul by community volunteers concerned about the lack of accessible early childhood care and education, Think Small has grown into a full-service agency supporting families and early childhood professionals. Our mission is to advance quality care and education of children in their early years to ensure school success. Think Small offers professional development, consultation, technical assistance, parent education, and childcare referral services in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area and beyond. Redleaf Press, our publishing division, is a recognized leader in early childhood education resources.

Location: Hybrid, (Wed/Thu onsite). Candidates must live in commutable distance to our office in Little Canada, Minnesota, to be considered.

Status: Full-Time