Program Manager, Learning

Program Manager, Learning

Are you looking to make a meaningful impact on public health and the environment? Join the MWRA team! We deliver some of the nation's highest-quality drinking water to 3 million residents, restored Boston Harbor, and continue to invest in protecting vital public resources. Be part of a mission-driven organization where your work truly makes a difference-in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment.

Plans, designs, implements, manages, and evaluates Authority-wide learning and development programs and initiatives that support operational excellence, leadership capability, workforce readiness, compliance, and organizational effectiveness. This includes, but is not limited to, technical training, vendor/equipment training, systems training, training for new and renovated facility start-up projects, and competency-based training. The Program Manager oversees learning programs from initial needs analysis through delivery, evaluation, and continuous improvement, using a range of learning strategies beyond traditional training modalities.

Key Responsibilities

• Assists the Manager, Training and Development in developing and implementing the long-term vision and strategy for Authority-wide learning programs, including technical, operational, leadership, and professional development initiatives.
• Develops learning programs that sustain and enhance workforce competence across operations, maintenance, and support functions in partnership with division managers.
• Facilitates effective communication and collaboration between operations, maintenance, and support groups related to learning initiatives.
• Develops employee communication strategies related to learning programs, expectations, and outcomes.
• Leads learning and development programs from needs assessment and business analysis through design, development, implementation, evaluation, and close-out.
• Applies formal program and project management practices, including scope definition, work planning, timelines, risk management, stakeholder coordination, quality assurance, and post-implementation review.
• Manages multiple concurrent learning initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, schedules, budgets, and performance expectations.
• Coordinates with the Department of Occupational Health and Safety and other Authority departments on initiatives related to Authority policies, environmental compliance, regulatory requirements, learning, and safety standards.
• Works closely with Occupational Health and Safety to identify, procure, develop, and deliver learning solutions aligned with OSHA guidelines and Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards (DLS) regulations.
• Supports the implementation of safety programs and the development of learning standards that promote employee involvement and reinforce the Authority's Health and Safety Program.
• Collaborates with Operations to identify learning gaps, risks, and improvement opportunities related to operational readiness, compliance, and performance.
• Develops and implements action plans to address identified learning issues and supports continuous improvement.
• Designs learning solutions that may include instructor-led learning, experiential learning, coaching, mentoring, job aids, simulations, e-learning, peer learning, and blended approaches.
• Partners with department leadership, managers, and subject matter experts to assess learning needs and ensure learning solutions address organizational and individual performance requirements. Optimizes opportunities for automation in support of facility operations.
• Manages learning data, reporting, and analysis using the Authority-approved Learning Management System (LMS) and other approved systems.
• Provides regular status updates, dashboards, and recommendations to leadership based on program performance and outcomes.
• Establishes metrics and evaluation methods to measure learning effectiveness, program impact, and alignment with organizational goals.
• Supports learning initiatives related to new and renovated facilities, systems implementation, and operational start-up projects.
• Assesses the need for external learning providers and technical support; develops plans for vendor-supported learning and competency-based programs.
• Partners with department leadership, managers, and subject matter experts to assess learning needs and ensure learning solutions address organizational and individual performance requirements as well as technical, facility, and system needs.
• Works with the Procurement Department to ensure appropriate application of procurement procedures for vendor selection.
• Drafts documentation to support vendor solicitation, evaluation, selection, and contract execution.
• Manages vendor performance, deliverables, timelines, and quality standards throughout the life of learning programs.
• Designs and manages leadership and manager development initiatives focused on supervisory skills, communication, performance management, employee engagement, and change leadership.
• Partners with department heads and managers to identify leadership capability gaps and develop targeted learning interventions.
• Supports the development of consistent management practices aligned with Authority values, policies, and strategic goals.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, education, human resources, organizational development, learning and development, training, program/project management, or a related field; and
• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience managing learning, development, training, or organizational programs, preferably in a public-sector or unionized environment or water/wastewater industry; or
• Any equivalent combination of education or experience.
• A valid Massachusetts Class D Operators driver's license or license from an adjacent state for travel between MWRA work sites.
• Position may be eligible for Telework up to 1 Day per week after an initial waiting period.

Knowledge and Abilities

• Knowledge of adult learning principles, learning experience design, competency-based learning, leadership and organizational development practices, vendor/equipment training, and facility start-up initiatives.
• Demonstrated expertise in program and project management, including planning, execution, risk management, stakeholder engagement, consultant/contractor oversight, and evaluation, especially as it applies to holistic, organizational workforce development solutions.
• Ability to translate business and organizational needs into effective learning strategies, solutions, and benchmarks.
• Strong strategic thinking, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across organizational levels.
• Proven ability to operate effectively within a matrix management environment.
• Proficient computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook).
• Proficiency in Learning Management Systems (LMS), preferably Infor LMS, including reporting and analytics.
• Critical-thinking and Creative-thinking skills with the ability to focus on the 'big picture' while having a strong attention to detail.
• Adaptable and willing to learn new technologies and methodologies.
• Experience using virtual and blended learning platforms (e.g., TEAMS, WebEx, Zoom, etc.)

Tools and Equipment Used

Office equipment as normally associated with the use of telephone, personal computers including Authority-approved software programs, copy and fax machines; audio-visual equipment, including projectors and multiple display screens.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to use hand to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, including office equipment, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of this employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office and field environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud in the field and moderately quiet in office settings

Supervision Received and Exercised

Works under the general supervision of the Manager, Training and Development. May provide functional direction to Senior Training Specialists (Learning) and project team members. May supervise interns and provide work assignments to administrative staff.

Other Position Information PCR: 8530011 Division: Administration Department: Training Union/Grade: United Steelworkers Local 9360 (Unit 6)/Grade 11

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status.