Leadership Development and Coaching Director (Learning Performance Dir)

CLA is a top 10 national professional services firm where our purpose is to create opportunities every day, for our clients, our people, and our communities through industry-focused wealth advisory, digital, audit, tax, consulting, and outsourcing services. Even with more than 8,500 people, 130 U.S. locations, and a global reach, we promise to know you and help you.

CLA is dedicated to building a culture that invites different beliefs and perspectives to the table, so we can truly know and help our clients, communities, and each other.

Our Perks:

• Flexible PTO (designed to offer flexible time away for you!)
• Up to 12 weeks paid parental leave
• Paid Volunteer Time Off
• Mental health coverage
• Quarterly Wellness stipend
• Fertility benefits
• Complete list of benefits here

CLA is currently seeking Leadership Development and Coaching Director. This role will be responsible for designing, implementing, and leading leadership development strategies and coaching programs that build organizational capability, strengthen leadership pipelines, and foster a culture of continuous growth. This role partners with senior leaders, HR, and business units to align leadership development initiatives with organizational goals, ensuring leaders at all levels are equipped to drive performance, engagement, and innovation. The role also leverages modern learning technologies, analytics platforms, and automation tools to optimize leadership programs and measure impact.

How you'll create opportunities in this Leadership Development and Coaching Director role:

Learning Strategy & Program Development

• Develop and execute a comprehensive learning strategy focused on driving Leadership Development and Coaching across all leadership dimensions (strategy, people, business) and layers (frontline supervisors to executives).
• Drive the curriculum strategy across the firm, reflecting current and near-future business strategies and level-based leadership skills taxonomy.
• Design and deliver blended learning programs (virtual, in-person, eLearning, microlearning, simulations) that address current and future workforce needs.
• Create frameworks for leadership skills and career pathways to support succession planning.
• Drive the creation and implementation of the 'CLA Way of Leadership Principles' to anchor all future LD programs.
• Develop and deliver (at scale) various HiPo, on-entry, and ongoing professionalization blended programs combined with ongoing sustainment elements and communities.
• Inform development strategies of power and business skills that are precursors to leadership roles and skills.
• Coordinate with other L&D Directors on cross-applicable content and programs that can be embedded into key roles schools or experiences.

Executive & Leadership Coaching

• Research and implement an equitable executive coaching program and enlist others to support adoption.
• Provide one-on-one and group coaching to leaders, focusing on strategy, performance, growth, and behavioral change.
• Build internal coaching capability by training and mentoring identified leaders in coaching techniques.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

• Partner with business leaders and People Solutions (HR) to understand strategic priorities and translate them into learning initiatives.
• Work with key leaders and groups to identify gaps between current content and what would be needed to successfully implement a robust curriculum for their audiences based on a level-based leadership skills taxonomy.
• Develop an annual content roadmap based on priority of identified knowledge or skills gaps.
• Serve as a trusted advisor on learning solutions that drive employee performance and engagement, business outcomes, and client value.

Technology & Learning Tools Integration

• Utilize Learning Experience Platform (LXP; 360 Learning) and collaboration tools/platforms to deliver and track leadership programs.
• Stay current on emerging learning technologies and integrate innovative solutions to enhance learning experiences.

Program Evaluation & Continuous Improvement

• Leverage analytics dashboards (e.g., Power BI) to track KPIs such as participation, program effectiveness, feedback, and business impact/ROI.
• Conduct needs assessments, skill gap analyses, and benchmarking against industry best practices.
• Continuously refine content, delivery methods, and tools to ensure relevance and impact on evolving business needs.

Culture & Engagement

• Foster a culture of learning, feedback, and inclusion across the organization.
• Promote knowledge sharing and informal learning opportunities to strengthen leadership networks.

People Leadership

• Actively lead aligned Learning Performance Consultants in partnership with key business leaders to analyze performance gaps, identify or design relevant development topics, and deliver solutions through multiple channels (online, in-person, community, simulative, AI, assessment/skills validation).

What you will need:

• Bachelor's degree is required. A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Organizational Development, Human Resources, Psychology, Business, or related field is preferred.
• 8+ years in leadership development, organizational development, or executive coaching roles.
• Proven experience designing and implementing leadership programs and coaching senior leaders.
• Coaching certification (e.g., ICF, Hogan, Korn Ferry) strongly preferred.
• Expertise in various leadership assessment tools (e.g., DiSC, Hogan) strongly preferred.
• Expertise in leadership development frameworks, adult learning principles, and talent management.
• Expertise in instructional design, adult learning principles, curriculum development, and the implementation of large-scale learning programs.
• Proficiency with LXP and LMS platforms, analytics tools (Power BI), AI, and automation technologies.
• Executive level facilitation, oral and written communication and influencing skills.
• Ability to analyze data and measure program effectiveness.
• Experience in the accounting or professional services industries strongly preferred.
• Strong project management, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Occasional travel is required (<10-15% travel).

The wage range for this position in Chicago is: $93,000 - $142,000.

Factors such as geography, experience, education, skills, and knowledge may impact position of pay within the range.

#LI-EL1, #LI-Hybrid

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

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Wellness at CLA

To support our CLA family members, we focus on their physical, financial, social, and emotional well-being and offer comprehensive benefit options that include health, dental, vision, 401k and much more.

To view a complete list of benefits click here.