Learning Development Manager (Full-Time)

Austin, TX

Common Threads seeks a Learning Development Manager Support to join our Programs team on our mission to champion improved community health through the power of food and nutrition. 

The Learning Development Manager is responsible for managing Common Threads’ full suite of curriculum and recipes, training materials, and web-based platforms. This individual will serve as the internal and external expert regarding all aspects of digital and print materials for program implementation. When new curriculum projects emerge, the Learning Development Manager will serve as the project manager to ensure the curriculum development process is being adhered to and that the project has a mission fit. This person will also be responsible for designing and implementing continued professional development and training series for Chef Instructors and Common Threads educators.

The Learning Development Manager works closely with the TEACH Team which includes the Vice President of Programs, Associate Director of Programs, and Digital Learning Specialist, as well as other team members to develop and pilot new content for our ever-growing elementary schools, middle school, and adult curricula.

Responsibilities:

  • Analyze training needs to develop new training programs or modify and improve existing programs
  • Develop lesson plans, activity guides, digital resources, recipes, and other materials to meet specific learning objectives
  • Effectively manage a Digital Learning Specialist and various part-time dietetic interns throughout the year
  • Develop content for student cooking classes, adult and family programs, and core-content based nutrition education
  • Enhance existing content and recipes into an overarching organizational framework and philosophy to ensure cohesive messaging across all curricula
  • Expand digital accessibility of new and existing content by integrating lessons and materials into the Common Threads  TEACH learning management system, http://teach.commonthreads.org, ensuring an engaging user experience
  • Serve as project manager for pilot curricula & training programs to monitor processes, quality, and fidelity
  • Act as internal and external content expert regarding resources available in our curriculum and online offerings
  • Research and stay up to date on trends, findings, and best practices in the fields of education, cooking, and public health
  • Work closely with the implementing team to ensure the curricula is field tested, continually improved based on feedback and emerging research, and can be integrated across a variety of platforms and program partners
  • With the assistance of contracted personnel, provide leadership and oversight over development of new curriculum

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree required with either a background in education, human-centered learning design and/or experience with learning management systems
  • Registered Dieticians with a background in cooking, nutrition, and recipe development is strongly preferred
  •  3-5+ years experience in teaching and/or curriculum development at the K-12 level with experience in:
    • Creating polished and professional lessons, worksheets, and/or other classroom materials
    • Teaching with emerging technologies
  • Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups
  • Experience developing and facilitating instructor led training (typically virtually)
  • Experience with a CRM (i.e., Salesforce), authoring tools (i.e., Rise, Articulate 360)
  • Excellent writing skills, including the ability to do the following with ease:
    • Use proper grammar and conventions
    •  Convey complex ideas in simple, straightforward language
    • Organize ideas effectively within a written product
    • Write in an engaging conversational tone
  • Demonstrated creativity in the following areas:
    • Designing practical, classroom-based activities appropriate for middle and high school students
    • Developing activities that make topics relevant to students and plant seeds for real-world engagement
  • Broad knowledge and interest in nutrition, cooking, health and wellness and social emotional learning
  • Experience working with and creating programs for culturally diverse audiences
  • Ability to work within a mission-driven environment to develop professional and respectful relationships with people  both internal and external to Common Threads
  • Ability to work independently and remotely with confidence and outstanding communication skills, both verbal and written
  • Strong organizational, time management, problem solving and logical thinking skills; must be task-oriented
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office, Google Docs and graphic design software (i.e., Canva)
  • Responsible for maintaining, reporting, and disseminating all course and training information and associated tasks within the Learning Management Software

Preferred:

  • Bilingual English/Spanish

Compensation:

  • Salary range: $55,000 - $60,000 per year commensurate with experience. 
  • Common Threads offers a competitive benefits package, including 15 days of paid time off, 15 paid holidays (including a week in winter), three floating holidays, mental, dental, vision (and other benefits), and a 401(K) retirement savings plan with the match beginning on the first day of the month after 60 days of employment.

Additional Information: 

  • Common Threads employees are subject to a background check prior to employment. 
  • This is a remote position with some travel required. However, to align with organizational needs, we prefer candidates who reside in one of our key markets: Los Angeles (LA), New York City (NYC), Miami, Chicago, Erie, Pittsburgh (PGH), or Austin.
  • This is a full-time position that will primarily work Monday-Friday, but some nights and/or weekends may be required.
  • This position reports to Associate Director of Programs

Work Environment:

This job operates in a home office as well as in schools and organizations in the community. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as a computer, phone, and files.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use close vision, distance vision, and be able to adjust focus; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift and/or move supplies weighing up to 25 pounds. 

About Common Threads: 

Common Threads is a national leader in nutrition security - championing improved community health through the power of nutrition and food. For over two decades, Common Threads has been providing nutrition education, culinary skills training, and food access, all key nutrition security fundamentals, in an effort to both prevent and treat diet-related illness. In today’s society, the role that nutrition plays in overall health, as well as the importance of the culture of food itself (i.e. preparing, sharing, and community) in relation to well-being, is neglected, and Common Threads tackles those issues head on.

Operating in-person and digitally, Common Threads’ programs can be found in schools across the country, including the nation’s four largest public-school districts (New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami), as well as community organizations, medical institutions, and universities - with a priority impact focus on marginalized communities. To date the organization has established partnerships with over 2,200 schools, provided more than 5 million meals, and forged a pathway for long-term nutritional health for more than 1 million people. For more information, visit commonthreads.org. 

Common Threads EEO Statement:

Common Threads provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. Common Threads expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.