Organization Profile:
Room to Read seeks to transform the lives of millions of children in developing countries by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education. Working in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations and governments, we develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children, and support girls to complete secondary school with the relevant life skills to succeed in school and beyond.
We are non-governmental, non-religious and work with many local NGOs and community based organizations to implement our programs. We currently work in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Vietnam, and Zambia – countries with a desperate lack of resources to educate their children. Since our inception, Room to Read’s worldwide team has impacted more than 9.7 million children by constructing more than 1,700 schools, establishing more than 17,500 libraries, publishing 1150 new children’s book titles in 27 local languages, and reaching more than 31,000 girls through our Girls’ Education program.
Room to Read has an annual budget of approximately US$44 million and our global staff numbers more than 1000. Our global headquarters is located in San Francisco, and we have smaller offices in New York, Hong Kong, London, Zurich, New Delhi, Mumbai, Sydney, and Tokyo. Our country offices are located in Colombo, Dar es Salaam, Dhaka, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Kathmandu, Lusaka, New Delhi, Pretoria, Phnom Penh, and Vientiane.
Position Overview:
This position reports to the Chief Talent Officer and is responsible for the design, delivery and implementation of the professional development strategy, which includes programs that ensure Room to Read has the right leaders to be successful today and in the future**. It can be located in Southeast Asia, Southern Asia or San Francisco.**
The Manager, Professional Development works with senior leadership and other key stakeholders to establish a professional development strategy that support key business programs and initiatives to increase RtR’s capability and performance. The strategy includes, multi-phased learning programs, developmental assignments, coaching and formal assessments.
The Manager is responsible for leading a team in the execution and continuous improvement of the following established programs:
- Core Supervisory Development Program
- Professional Development Program
- Onboarding Program
- Mid-Level Supervisory Program
- Senior Supervisory Development Program
Duties & Responsibilities:
MAJOR ACTIVITIES:
- Manage the curriculum, design, development and deployment of RtR’s Professional development programs
- Ensure the systematic evaluation of leadership learning programs for continuous program improvement and achievement of performance outcomes, including regular reporting to senior leadership
- Selection and evaluation of strategic vendors, internal and external resources
- Prepare/certify RtR staff to participate as faculty members in Professional development activities
- Select, contract and monitor external coaching vendor relationships ensuring Professional development plans and objectives are fulfilled and executed.
- Develop talent management and succession planning processes and tools used to conduct annual leadership assessments that result in clear actions and strategies to improve leadership bench strength.
- Develop consistent programs that address learning and development needs across a wide range of international staff audiences in multiple languages
- Work with the Country Directors, Department Heads and HR Managers to cascade leadership learning modules to other RtR audiences
- Supervise the Professional Development Associate
KEY CHALLENGES:
- In-depth understand of RtR’s key business strategies and the RtR Competency Framework
- Influences others and fosters commitment for the Professional Development programs
- Thinks strategically about how to develop competencies
- Engages and inspires others to be committed to employee development
- Experience in designing and evaluating competency learning modules
- Expertise in work with senior leadership to identify needs, develop content and prepare to teach program elements
Qualifications:
Required:
Master’s Degree in Business Management, Education/Learning/Organization Development or related field.
- Minimum of ten years related work experience in learning and development in a corporate/Enterprise environment
- Experience leading a team in the execution of multiple global programs
- Experience and proven ability in developing company-wide professional development programs from concept to execution
- Solid knowledge of adult pedagogy and best methods for achieving desired learning outcomes
- Excellent interpersonal skills and executive presence
- Strong facilitation skills, decision making, and time management
- Financial operating budget experience; this position will be responsible for an annual operating budget of $500,000
- Proven success in staff management and employee development
- Prior success working closely and building relationships with diverse groups of people
- Ability and desire to travel frequently internationally
- Effectiveness in working or volunteering in a non-profit organization that is focused on maintaining high quality work and low overhead
- Prior experience in a fast-paced, growth-oriented global or regional organization
- Proven track record of achieving results
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
- Ability to juggle multiple priorities simultaneously and take initiative
- Legally eligible to work in the country where this position will be based; no sponsorship provided
Preferred:
Doctoral Degree in Business Administration, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Instructional Systems Design or other related area
To be successful as a member of the Room to Read team, you will also:
- Have a passion for our mission and a strong desire to impact a dynamic nonprofit organization
- Be an innovative and creative thinker; you’re not afraid to try something new and inspire others to do so
- Have a very high level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness
- Have a strong work ethic and require minimal direction
- Work well independently as well as part of a team
- Thrive in a fast-paced and fun environment
Compensation:
Room to Read offers a competitive salary with excellent benefits. The non-monetary compensation includes a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative, meaningful, fun, and rapidly growing organization that is changing transforming the lives of millions of children in developing countries by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education.
HOW TO APPLY:
Please send a cover letter and resume by email, with position in the subject line, (no letters, calls, faxes, or drop-ins) to hiring@roomtoread.org. Due to high applicant volume, we regret that we are not able to send personalized responses to all applicants. Applications are accepted until the position is filled.
Room to Read is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to identifying and developing
the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds.
the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds.
