Senior Learning & Development Specialist – Housing Practice

ABOUT US

The Global Policy Leadership Academy prepares professionals and civic leaders to advance solutions to intractable societal challenges through a deep commitment to the development of shared knowledge, best practices, and collaboration. Each course is carefully curated to draw on the collective knowledge and experiences of people from varying disciplines and backgrounds. Through our programs, we are working to expand and develop networks of informed, passionate problem solvers committed to creating more equitable, sustainable communities for all.

By building a culture of collaboration, we prepare leaders to effectively advocate for and accelerate positive change in their communities, the region, and the world.

EEO

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POSITION PURPOSE

With direction from the Team Manager and the Managing Director of GPLA’s Global Housing Practice, this position works collaboratively with the GPLA team to help set vision, direction, and tone for the team’s housing, social housing, and homelessness curriculum work including for GPLA’s Communities of Practice program. This position is responsible for assisting with an array of internal and external (client-facing) projects related to education and training on topics such as land use and planning; housing development and finance; homelessness solutions; leadership principles; and other related topics. This position also includes research and analysis, community engagement and outreach including group facilitation, business development support activities such as proposal development, RFP responses, instructional design, and event planning.

This role will serve the needs for several of GPLA’s key programs, including:  Social Housing Education, Workforce and Leadership Education, and GPLA’s Community of Practice. Support for GPLA’s Social Housing Education and Workforce and Leadership Education programs includes curriculum development, facilitation, and content development. GPLA’s Community of Practice seeks to bring together its past learners to build the tools, resources, and policies needed to build mixed-income and supportive housing for all. Support for this program includes researching and disseminating findings in articles, podcasts, blog posts, and white papers, along with the creation of resources, visualizations, micro-learnings, tools and templates for community members.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Curriculum Development and Project Management 

• Develop curriculum for training and capacity building sessions grounded in best and emerging policies, programs, and practices. Preference for background in land use & planning, affordable housing development & finance, international policy, or homelessness response systems. 
• Assist in conducting research to inform curriculum development on policies, programs, practices, and tools that advance equitable and sustainable land use, housing development, and solutions to homelessness.  
• Develop and maintain curriculum that draws from subject matter expertise of staff from other teams within the firm.  
• Maintain ongoing communications with internal team members, clients, and external stakeholders as appropriate to fulfill contractual obligations within budget promptly.  
• Conduct needs analysis for courses developed by GPLA considering the needs of prospective participants and clients.  
• Demonstrate effective project management skills including the ability to monitor, track, and coordinate assignments of staff and subcontractors to ensure timely completion of projects.  
• Work in collaboration with subject matter experts to develop training and toolkits related to housing and homelessness policy that utilize principles and methods for effective adult learning and collaboration.  
• Interface with staff across the LeSar Holdings portfolio, client contacts, vendors, and procurement contacts with a high degree of professionalism and sensitivity to political, economic, sociocultural, and technological context. 
• Maintain proactive ongoing communications with internal team members, clients, and external stakeholders as appropriate to fulfill contractual obligations within budget in a timely manner.

 Instruction and Facilitation 

• Present to internal and external stakeholders by engaging in best practices in adult learning and active listening to effectively share information and respond to questions and concerns.  
• Facilitate meetings and workshops with various community and stakeholder groups.  
• Develop and maintain relationships with course participants including on-boarding onto learning management software, providing technical assistance and answering ad hoc requests.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum education requirement: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban studies, planning, public policy, social work, business, real estate, international policy/research, or communication OR equivalent employment experience. 
• Minimum work experience: Three (3) years or more experience: 1) developing and delivering trainings or curriculum, and 2) Working in affordable housing and finance, homelessness policy, land use and planning, or international policy research is preferred. 
• Knowledge and demonstrated experience in adult learning methodologies is required. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams) and familiarity with WordPress, Constant Contact, Learning Management Software, Customer Relationship Management Software, and other web-based applications.  
• People with lived experience and expertise in housing instability and/or homelessness are encouraged to apply.

COMPETENCIES

• Effective Communicator. Can clearly, accurately, and concisely articulate thoughts and ideas to a variety of audience shapes and sizes both verbally and in writing.
• Relationship Management. Utilizes superior interpersonal skills to collaborate and support internal and external project teams.
• Embraces Change. Able to easily adapt to changing business needs and can operate with ambiguity.
• Problem-solving. Remains solutions-oriented leveraging critical thinking and creativity to drive results.
• Project Management. Possesses a firm grasp of project management principles such as the ability to organize work, set priorities, and exercise sound decision making within areas of responsibility. 
• Exercises Discretion. Prudently handles sensitive information in a professional and confidential manner. 
• Time Management. Demonstrates accountability by providing timely responses to inquiries and meeting project deliverables on time.
• Self-starter who is resourceful and actively seeks out opportunities to contribute without waiting for instructions.

WORKING HOURS AND LOCATION

Standard hours Monday-Friday, eight hours per day. This position is hybrid – preferably in California. 

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

20% Travel - Occasional travel to headquarters location in San Diego. Some contract travel and international travel may be required.

PERKS AND BENEFITS

• Medical, dental, vision, and FSA plans
• Long-term Disability
• Basic Term Life and AD&D

• 401K with company matching
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Unlimited Vacation Time for full-time employees
• Paid Sick Leave
• 11 paid holidays including Cesar Chavez Day and Juneteenth
• Monthly stipend for phone, internet, and office supplies
• Office Set-up Allowance
• Career Growth Opportunities
• Amazing environment and culture