Head of Learning & Development – Business Development (USA based)

Job Summary:

D2L is at the forefront of transforming education through innovative technology solutions that empower learners, educators, and institutions worldwide. Our mission is to create accessible, engaging, and personalized learning experiences that improve educational outcomes for all. We are committed to advancing education through cutting-edge tools, data-driven insights, and a passion for lifelong learning.

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Learning & Development with a strong business development focus to drive growth and partnerships within the corporate L&D space. The lead will work closely with employee training associations, corporate clients, and internal stakeholders to help organizations develop and optimize their Learning & Development (L&D) programs. The role will also leverage expertise in education technology to recommend and integrate our solutions for Learning Management System (LMS) needs, supporting clients in achieving their training goals.

This is a high-impact, external-facing role, requiring a balance of L&D expertise, business acumen, and relationship-building skills. The ideal candidate will have deep experience in corporate learning strategies, as well as a proven track record in business development, partnerships, and sales

How You Will Make an Impact: 

Thought Leadership & Consultative L&D Expert

• Serve as a recognized D2L thought leader in the field of corporate learning and development, representing the company at industry conferences, webinars, and other public forums.
• Act as trusted advisor to clients, offering deep insights and guidance on best practices for designing and implementing effective L&D programs.
• Conduct needs assessments with corporate clients to understand their learning challenges and opportunities, providing customized solutions that align with their business goals
• Engage with educational technology and learning communities to drive discussions on emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities.

Business Development & Strategic Partnerships:

• Identify, develop, and nurture relationships with employee training associations, corporate clients, and other key industry stakeholders.
• Drive new business opportunities by understanding client needs and aligning our learning solutions to help them achieve their L&D objectives.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy for expanding our footprint in the corporate L&D space, with a focus on long-term partnerships and revenue growth.
• Lead or support negotiations that involve our L&D programs and technology solutions, particularly around Learning Management Systems (LMS) and related education technology in partnership with Sales.

Learning & Development Community Leadership:

• Lead a dynamic learning and development community that brings together educators, industry professionals, and thought leaders to exchange ideas, share best practices, and collaborate on innovative projects.
• Organize and facilitate community events, webinars, and forums that drive engagement and foster a culture of continuous learning and development.
• Act as an advocate within the community, positioning it as the most sought-after community to be a part of in the learning industry.

Integration of Education Technology Solutions

• Assess clients’ current LMS and learning ecosystems, and propose our education technology to enhance or replace existing systems where appropriate
• Collaborate with internal product and technical teams to ensure that proposed solutions meet the needs and expectations of clients, and are delivered seamlessly.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in education technology, demonstrating the value and capabilities of our products during client engagements

Brand & Market Positioning:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive brand strategy for the company's learning and development offerings, ensuring alignment with the overall corporate brand.
• Negotiate and manage contracts, agreements, and intellectual property rights related to industry collaborations.
• Prepare and present proposals, reports, and business cases to senior management and stakeholders.
• Track and report on the performance and outcomes of thought leadership partnerships.
• Work cross-functionally with internal teams, including marketing, product, and operations, to develop tailored proposals and solutions for clients

Competencies (What you’ll bring to the role):

• A strategic mindset to identify emerging trends and opportunities in the corporate learning and development landscape.10+ years of experience in Learning & Development, with a deep understanding of corporate L&D programs, strategies, and technologies.
• Experience working with Learning Management Systems (LMS), preferably Brightspace and related education technologies, either as an end user or a solutions provider.
• Prior experience working with corporate clients to design and implement L&D solutions at scale is highly desirable.
• Experience in working with employee training associations and understanding their role in advancing workforce development initiatives.
• A deep understanding of industry trends, challenges, and best practices in corporate training and development.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including senior executives, HR professionals, and industry leaders.
• Strong collaboration skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities

D2L Leadership Competencies

• Leads by Example with personal and professional integrity, high accountability and say/do ratio.
• Boundaryless collaboration and influence skills both within team, peer group and broader organization. Effective communicator with a proven track record of.
• Delivers Awesome Outcomes: Strategic mindset and business acumen, with strong prioritization skills and a focus on organizational outcomes vs. team tasks. Effective problem solver, able to achieve results individually and through others, in fast paced, deadline-driven environments.
• Talent Magnet: Talent-focused leader, with demonstrated ability to coach, build and lead a high performing, diverse team.
• Better, Smarter, Faster: An agile learner, with a growth mindset, attention to detail and organizational skills. An operationally minded leader, with a focus on continuous improvement and innovation.
• Wins Hearts and Minds: An effective communicator, with the ability to connect the why and the what. A change agent, with proven delegation, motivation, and team building skills.

Suggested Qualifications/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Education, Human Resources, or a related field; a Master's degree in Organizational Development, I/O Psychology, Business Administration, or a related field is a plus.