Talent Development Partner

About the Role

Taco, Inc. is a family-owned business that places a strong emphasis on the well-being, growth, and long-term success of its people. The organization expects employees to bring a positive attitude, build strong internal and external relationships, keep learning, and contribute ideas that help move the business forward.

This regular full-time position operates on a first shift schedule and follows a hybrid work model. The Talent Development Partner works with business leaders and other stakeholders to identify learning needs, create and deliver development programs, and improve Taco’s employee success initiatives. The role focuses on onboarding, performance development, manager development, and future behavioral learning programs, while also supporting broader leadership and talent strategy efforts across the organization.

Key Focus Areas

• Partner with leaders to diagnose capability gaps and design practical learning solutions.
• Build leadership strength through coaching, learning experiences, and competency-based development.
• Support talent management practices that reinforce a high-performance culture.
• Measure program results and use feedback to improve employee development experiences.

Measures of Success

• Clear contribution to business and talent outcomes such as engagement, promotion, and retention.
• Learning programs designed around adult learning methods that increase participation, development, and behavior change.
• Ongoing enhancement of employee success programs based on evaluation data and feedback.

Responsibilities

This role includes, but is not limited to, the following duties:

• Lead classroom, coaching, and on-the-job learning sessions for employees across the organization to strengthen leadership, effectiveness, and performance.
• Assist in the design, facilitation, and rollout of Employee Success Programs, including onboarding, performance development, and manager development.
• Create communications for participants and stakeholders that improve awareness, engagement, and learning outcomes.
• Manage the selection, preparation, delivery, and evaluation of outside vendors involved in development programs.
• Collect feedback from participants and stakeholders, share insights with executive and senior leaders, and propose improvements.
• Review learning experiences, monitor program metrics, and report results that support behavior change and stronger outcomes.
• Apply Kirkpatrick evaluation levels 1, 2, and 3 to assess learning impact, behavior transfer, and participant results.
• Define instructional strategies, learning objectives, curricula, and activities that improve engagement and skill development.
• Provide coaching to employees and managers within required timelines and support reinforcement activities after training.
• Use DDI principles, Taco leadership competencies, adult learning theory, and coaching practices to deliver effective leadership development.
• Support the creation, administration, and continuous improvement of learning and development programs.
• Work with subject matter experts, stakeholders, and learning partners to create learning events and training materials based on needs and evaluation results.
• Use project and program management methods to coordinate complex development initiatives involving multiple stakeholders, vendors, schedules, communications, budgets, documentation, and outcomes.
• Design and roll out global programs that reinforce Taco leadership competencies and values across functions, employee groups, and regions.
• Help drive the company’s talent management strategy to strengthen organizational capability and support a high-performance culture.
• Use employee, manager, and program feedback to identify opportunities for improvement in development and employee experience initiatives.
• Document learning processes and create business operating system resources connected to the role.
• Maintain training records to support ISO compliance.
• Serve as backup for the Content Learning Management System, including course logistics, documentation, and troubleshooting support.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, human resources, organizational development, communication, education, or a related discipline; an advanced degree is preferred.
• Substantial relevant experience may be considered instead of a degree.
• At least 7 years of experience in learning and development, leadership development, and talent development, with coaching experience.
• DDI certification or the ability to earn it.
• APTD certification is preferred.
• Prior experience designing, facilitating, and evaluating leadership and performance management programs is required.
• Exposure to learning technologies, virtual learning platforms, and authoring tools is an advantage.
• Strong discipline with project management planning tools.
• Solid understanding of adult learning principles and foundational learning theory.
• Ability to apply instructional design approaches such as ADDIE.
• Proven success working with employees at different organizational levels.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and presentation ability.
• Ability to stand for long periods during live training or coaching sessions.
• Willingness to travel about 20% across North America.

Work Environment

The role is based primarily in an office setting and requires regular use of computers and technology, along with verbal and auditory communication skills. At times, work may extend into a production plant environment where large equipment and noise are present, and safety equipment must be worn.

This position follows a hybrid arrangement and may allow work from home up to one day per week, provided performance remains in good standing. The role has no direct reports.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and benefits package.
• Tuition reimbursement, career development support, and on-site training programs in the learning center.
• Profit-sharing participation.
• Focus on family, health, and overall well-being.
• A workplace that supports people and communities in reaching their full potential.
• A culture that values and celebrates diversity.

Additional Information

Work status: hybrid. Shift: first shift. Management level: no direct reports. The organization describes itself as employing nearly 1,000 people worldwide and emphasizes community, innovation, collaboration, and inclusive growth.

Technical and Compliance Notes

The role involves documentation support for business operating system resources and training records tied to ISO compliance, as well as backup support for the Content Learning Management System.

Physical Requirements

The position may require standing for extended periods during training or coaching sessions and occasional exposure to a manufacturing environment with noise, large equipment, and the need for safety gear.