Learning and Development Specialist

About USA TODAY Co.

USA TODAY Co., Inc. is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level, dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a sustainable, growth-focused media and digital marketing solutions company. Through our trusted brands, including the USA TODAY NETWORK (comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY, and local media organizations), and Newsquest (a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom), we provide essential journalism, local content, and digital experiences. We deliver high-quality, trusted content with a commitment to balanced, unbiased journalism, where and when consumers want to engage. Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ, supports small and medium-sized businesses with innovative digital marketing products and solutions.

USA TODAY Co. open roles are featured on various external job boards. When applying to a position at USA TODAY Co., you should be completing an application on USA TODAY Co. Careers via Dayforce. Job postings directing you to complete an application on other external sites may not be valid. To connect with us, visit www.usatodayco.com

The Role: Learning and Development Specialist

The Learning & Development Specialist is responsible for designing, facilitating, and leading technical and skills-based training programs that support employee capability, performance, and business outcomes across the Chief Revenue Office (CRO). As a member of the Platinum Training Team, this role enables revenue-facing teams to confidently understand, adopt, and apply complex systems, tools, and workflows in ways that are practical, role-relevant, and easy to translate into daily execution.

Training programs span onboarding and continued development for CRO-aligned roles, with particular focus on Account Managers and Optimization Strategist I & II populations. Content centers on systems enablement, product and platform fluency, operational workflows, and the ability to communicate technical concepts in clear, relatable language.

This role requires strong technical aptitude, instructional design expertise, and the ability to bridge complexity with clarity. Travel may be required. Position may be remote or on-site near Frisco, TX.

About Your Responsibilities

• Design and deliver technical and role-based training programs that support the Chief Revenue Office, including but not limited to Account Managers and Optimization Strategist I & II roles.
• Translate complex systems, tools, platforms, and processes into accessible, role-specific learning experiences.
• Facilitate instructor-led and blended learning experiences focused on:
  • Platform and system usage
  • Product and solution enablement
  • Workflow execution and optimization
  • Role-based application of tools and data
• Partner with CRO leadership, enablement, and operations teams to identify capability gaps and design targeted learning solutions.
• Support maintenance and updates to learning management system resources to ensure accuracy, relevance, and alignment with evolving tools, systems, and business priorities.
• Develop and maintain training assets, including:
  • Instructor-led materials
  • Simulations and scenario-based learning
  • Digital learning resources
• As needed, monitor, evaluate, and document training effectiveness and learner outcomes.
• Review and enhance training materials developed by other teams (e.g., product, operations, or enablement) to ensure usability and instructional quality.
• Travel to meetings and training sessions as required.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Accountabilities

The Learning & Development Specialist partners cross-functionally to conduct needs analysis, define learning objectives, and build subject matter expertise in support of the Chief Revenue Office. Collaboration may include, but is not limited to:

• Platinum Training Team
• Chief Revenue Office leadership
• Account Management leadership
• Optimization Strategist I & II leadership
• Product and Platform teams
• Operations & Enablement teams
• Human Resources
• External vendors and partners, as needed

About You

• Strong ability to understand and master complex systems, tools, and technical workflows.
• Demonstrated skill in translating technical concepts into clear, relatable, and role-specific language.
• Excellent presentation, writing, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to quickly learn business processes, products, and technology platforms.
• Comfortable facilitating technical training for live and virtual audiences up to 2,000+ attendees.
• Consultative mindset with the ability to collaborate across teams to design meaningful learning solutions.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Analytical thinker who can assess performance data and recommend improvements.
• Thrive in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, Advertising, Communications, Technology, or a related field preferred.
• 2+ years of experience in a learning & development, enablement, or training role supporting technical or revenue-facing teams.
• Experience using and/or instructing CRM and revenue platforms (Salesforce experience preferred).
• Familiarity with digital advertising, marketing platforms, or optimization tools.
• Proficiency with curriculum development tools, including:
  • PowerPoint
  • MS Word
  • MS SharePoint
  • MS Teams
  • Graphics or content development tools (Learning Pool a plus)

Key skills/competency

• Instructional Design
• Technical Enablement
• Training Delivery
• CRM Platforms (Salesforce)
• Curriculum Development
• Adult Learning Principles
• Digital Marketing
• Project Management
• Cross-functional Collaboration
• Performance Analysis