Training and Development Manager: Salary and Job Description

The workplace is a continually evolving ecosystem. New technologies, changing perspectives on company culture, fluctuating business models, and beyond, all create paradigm shifts in work strategies and how goals are set and achieved. They can also create challenges that businesses can meet by ensuring their employees are properly trained and are adaptable.

However, an organization’s ability to successfully evolve can depend on the quality of the training and development programs it implements. A subpar program can make a workforce slow to adapt, which could have a negative impact on a company’s growth and stability. Conversely, a solid program can yield a host of benefits that directly influence a workforce in numerous ways, from improved skill sets and an elevated sense of validation, to preparing them for greater responsibilities and upward corporate mobility.

The key figure influencing the quality of these programs is the training and development manager. Their work focuses on optimizing a company’s ability to prepare new and existing employees to confidently embrace whatever changes, challenges, and opportunities may arise. 

Earning an advanced degree, such as a Master of Organizational Leadership , can equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to succeed in training and development management. However, it’s important to fully understand the complexities of the role and why it can be such an important part of an organization’s success. 

Training and Development Manager Job Description

A training and development manager coordinates an organization’s workplace enhancement programs and strategies. They evaluate the needs for training and develop and implement programs based on their assessments. This process involves working within an organization’s training budgets and organizational goals.

Additionally, training and development managers evaluate existing programs, train supervisors and in-house instructors to deploy training methods to staff and evaluate the performance and growth of employees.

There are several types of programs training and development managers may create.

• Orientation: One-time training programs that educate new employees on basic company policies and structures.

• Onboarding: Training programs designed to help new employees perform their duties at a required level.

• Skill Development: Programs built to enhance competencies essential for current and future roles. These programs can be designed to enhance technical skills, or soft skills such as communication, leadership, and problem solving. They can also focus on upskilling to expand competencies that are needed for advanced roles.

• Products and Services Training: Programs that allow individuals to gain familiarity with new and existing goods and services offered by the company.

• Safety Training: Periodic training that helps ensure a safe workplace environment.

Where Do Training and Development Managers Work?

Training and development managers commonly work in office settings in a wide range of industries. Common environments include companies in the business sector; professional technical, or scientific services; educational services; finance and insurance; and healthcare. If they work for larger companies, they may occasionally travel to conduct off-site training.

Training and Development Manager Education and Skill Requirements

The educational benchmark for training and development managers is a bachelor’s degree in a field relating to business, communications, or social science. However, it can be advantageous to earn a higher degree, as some employers may prefer to employ candidates with advanced education.

While a Master of Business Administration (MBA) may be a common advanced degree among training and development managers, it can be wise to compare a Master’s in Organizational Leadership vs. an M.B.A. . A Master of Organizational Leadership degree specifically focuses on the interpersonal dynamics within an organization, preparing individuals to build training and development programs around these dynamics. An M.B.A., on the other hand, emphasizes broader business concepts such as corporate strategy and financial management.

Regardless of degree, further education allows individuals to cultivate skills considered fundamental for the role. The following competencies can provide the framework that makes it possible to develop programs that can help optimize workplace performance.

Leadership

Training and development managers can lean on leadership skills to help motivate and encourage workers to accept and embrace new policies, methodologies, and technology that may impact various processes and procedures. These skills can also help them guide any staff or instructors they may manage.

Collaboration

Training and development managers may oversee programs that require input from other departments, such as human resources. As such, those in the role must know how to work well with other leaders to develop holistic programs that align with the departments’ own philosophies.

Instruction

Training and development managers must understand the essentials of lesson planning in teaching to build programs that effectively connect with trainees. They must also learn how to apply these essentials to their own sessions, as they can be tapped to lead various training seminars and courses.

Business

While training and development managers focus on the talent development side of business, it’s important for them to have a fundamental understanding of a company’s business operations. This knowledge will help ensure their training strategies make sense in the context of the organization and its overall goals.

Soft Skills

Soft skills such as strong communication, decision-making, and critical-thinking competencies can act as the connective tissues that support a training and development manager’s strategies as they come to life. Collectively, they can help these strategies operate cohesively and smoothly. 

Training and Development Manager Salary and Job Outlook

The 2022 median annual salary for training and development managers was $120,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Factors, such as level of education, years of experience, and industry can influence an individual’s exact salary. Job location can also play a vital role in determining salary. Training and development managers who work in a city or region with a high cost of living will likely earn more than those in an area with a low cost of living.

The job outlook for training and development managers looks promising. The BLS reports a projected job growth of 6% between 2022 and 2032. This is double the 3% growth the BLS projects for the entire U.S. job market during that same time period.

Learn More About Organizational Leadership

Training and development managers are essential to helping an organization optimize the effects of an ever-changing workplace. Their work helps a company’s employees remain informed and strong, ready to adapt to change rather than resist it. This can allow a business to stay at the top of their industry, making training and development professionals highly valued as key company leaders.

The online Master of Organizational Leadership degree program from Wilson College Online can prepare you to make this important impact in business. Our program is designed to enable you to dive deeply into workforce dynamics, allowing you to glean insights that can lead to effective training programs that inspire trainees and align with a company’s own growth strategies.

Learn how we can help you develop into a leader that gets results.

Sources:

Indeed, “The Importance of Training Employees: 11 Benefits”

Indeed, What Are the Different Types of Workplace Training?

Investopedia, “What Is a Master of Business Administration (MBA)?

TechTarget, Upskilling

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Training and Development Managers