Learning & Development Manager

About Us

The California Dental Association (CDA) is a leading membership organization representing over 27,000 dental professionals statewide and advocating for oral health in communities. Established in 1870, CDA has evolved into a family of companies, including The Dentists Insurance Company (TDIC), TDIC Insurance Solutions, Rotunda Partners, and the CDA Foundation. We are a mission-driven organization dedicated to empowering our members and supporting their practices, teams, profession, and patients. Our commitment to making today easier and tomorrow better for dentists allows our employees to make a significant impact on public health. We foster a diverse, collaborative, inclusive, respectful, and forward-thinking culture, valuing the unique talents of our employees and recognizing them as integral to our success. CDA has been acknowledged as a Best Place to Work due to our exceptional people practices, work environment, and leadership trust.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee well-being and cater to diverse needs. We actively seek employee input on wellness matters and continuously evaluate our benefits to align with work-life goals.

Job Summary

The Learning & Development Manager, Education & Events, is responsible for collaborating with subject matter experts, leaders, and stakeholders across the organization to create, implement, and continually enhance high-quality educational programs for CDA members. This role oversees the assessment, development, and execution of learning experiences through various formats, including online self-study, webinars, instructional videos, in-person sessions, and blended learning solutions, all aimed at fostering the professional advancement of dental professionals. Working in close partnership with the Director of Educational Programs, this position ensures learning strategies align with organizational objectives, revenue targets, and the CDA member value proposition. The ideal candidate is a strategic, data-oriented leader who excels in collaborative settings, applies established instructional design principles, and brings enthusiasm and creativity to the field of learning and development.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Director of Educational Programs and key stakeholders to research, anticipate, and define future educational offerings that align with member needs, strategic goals, and revenue objectives.
• Engage with collaborators across the CDA Enterprise to ensure cohesive strategies, enhance transparency, and develop products and services that effectively meet member requirements.
• Maintain and expand expertise in emerging Learning and Development innovations, as well as various educational delivery models and formats.
• Develop, maintain, and manage the education strategy, associated roadmaps, and project plans to ensure timely, budget-conscious, and scope-adherent delivery of initiatives.
• Lead and support internal education workgroups, facilitating cross-functional teamwork, data analysis, and decision-making to guide program development and prioritization.
• Work with the Market Insights team to analyze industry trends, member data, and research findings to inform program proposals and product strategies.
• Coordinate with marketing and sales teams to support the effective positioning, promotion, and communication of educational programs and products.
• Actively contribute to organizational initiatives and ongoing improvement efforts.
• Stay informed about new developments in education and share relevant insights and best practices with colleagues.
• Design and deliver instructionally sound learning experiences, courses, and programs using recognized methodologies (e.g., ADDIE, Agile) across virtual, in-person, and blended formats.
• Partner with internal and external subject matter experts to establish learning objectives, identify pertinent content, and create comprehensive curricula that support organizational goals.
• Contribute to the development and enhancement of CDA Presents, internal programs, regional offerings, and new educational initiatives.
• Conduct program evaluations, analyze performance data, and provide recommendations for continuous improvement and future development.
• Offer on-site educational and production support for speakers and programs during in-person events.
• Collaborate closely with event operations and logistics teams before, during, and after programs to ensure exceptional learning experiences for CDA audiences.
• Lead and support stakeholders in developing the annual webinar and online learning schedule.
• Partner with stakeholders to plan, produce, and deliver high-quality virtual learning programs.
• Collaborate with the Director of Educational Programs and LMS Operations Lead to refine online learning strategies, content, and the overall learner experience.
• Analyze Learning Management System (LMS) data and key performance indicators; create dashboards and reports to evaluate program effectiveness and guide process and quality enhancements.
• Develop and maintain learner-facing resources, technical documentation, policies, procedures, and guides related to education and events.
• Work with the Director of Educational Programs to develop curriculum, content, and resources for online learning.
• Identify and communicate opportunities for process and quality improvements, providing feedback on usage, defects, and suggested enhancements.
• Analyze LMS data, generate reports and dashboards, and recommend process improvement solutions.
• Assess key performance indicators for the online learning library and regularly prepare and present reports.
• Create and update resources to train and support learners on utilizing technology for online and professional development.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in English, Organizational Development, Communications, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• A minimum of 3 to 5 years of proven experience in a learning or instructional design role.
• Proficiency with course authoring tools such as Articulate 360 (Storyline and RISE), Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop and Illustrator), and Camtasia.
• Technical expertise in virtual training platforms and live training session delivery, including tools like Webex, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams.
• Extensive knowledge of Instructional Design methodologies and learning principles.
• Demonstrated experience in developing eLearning strategies and implementing content to achieve business objectives and initiatives for partners.
• Experience supporting and producing virtual events and programs, particularly in sales and marketing contexts for live/virtual events, tradeshows, and/or online learning.
• Familiarity with project management and collaboration tools such as Basecamp, SharePoint, and JIRA.
• Ability to work effectively in a matrix organizational structure.
• Willingness to travel occasionally for overnight stays and periodically to CDA offices.

Perks

• Remote and hybrid work flexibility, supported by technology for remote work.
• Generous paid time off program, starting with 22 days of PTO and 13 paid holidays, including a floating holiday and a winter closure period.
• Highly competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans, with options for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).
• 401(k) retirement plans, featuring a generous employer match and safe harbor contributions upon eligibility.
• Paid parental leave.
• Comprehensive wellness programs, including incentives and a discount for In-Shape Family Fitness.
• Opportunities for professional growth, training, and leadership skill development.
• Access to insurance options for critical illness, accident, life, pet, short-term disability, and long-term disability.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to provide support for navigating daily challenges.

Eligibility

This role is open to individuals with a Bachelor's degree in English, Organizational Development, Communications, or a related field, or equivalent experience. Candidates should possess 3-5 years of demonstrated experience in learning or instructional design. Proficiency in course authoring tools and virtual training platforms is required. Experience with eLearning strategy, virtual event production, and project management tools is preferred. The position requires comfort working in a matrix organization and a willingness to travel occasionally.

Education Required

Bachelor's degree in English, Organizational Development, Communications, or related field, or equivalent experience.

Skills

• Instructional Design
• Learning Management Systems (LMS)
• Curriculum Development
• Virtual Training
• Project Management
• Content Creation
• Adult Learning Principles
• Stakeholder Management
• Data Analysis
• Event Production
• eLearning Development
• Communication