Training and Development Managers

Training and development managers plan, coordinate, and direct skills- and knowledge-enhancement programs for an organization’s staff.

Duties

Training and development managers typically do the following:

• Oversee training and development staff
• Assess employees’ needs for training
• Align training with the organization’s goals
• Create and manage training budgets
• Develop and implement training programs
• Review and select training materials from a variety of vendors
• Update training programs to ensure that they are relevant
• Teach training methods and skills to instructors and supervisors
• Evaluate the effectiveness of training programs and instructors

Training and development managers oversee training programs, staff, and budgets. They are responsible for creating or selecting course content and materials for training programs. Training may be in the form of a video, self-guided instructional manual, or online application and delivered in person or through a computer or other hand-held electronic device. Training also may be collaborative, with employees informally connecting with experts, mentors, and colleagues, often through social media or other online medium. Managers must ensure that training methods, content, software, systems, and equipment are appropriate.

Training and development managers typically supervise a staff of training and development specialists, such as instructional designers, program developers, and instructors. Managers teach training methods to specialists who, in turn, instruct the organization’s employees—both new and experienced. Managers direct the daily activities of specialists and evaluate their effectiveness. Although training and development managers primarily oversee specialists and program operations, some also conduct training courses.

Training and development managers often confer with managers of other departments to identify training needs. They may work with top executives and financial managers to identify and match training priorities with overall business goals. They may also prepare training budgets and ensure that expenses stay within budget.

Training and development managers held about 46,400 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of training and development managers were as follows:

Training and development managers typically work in offices. Some travel between a main office and regional offices or training facilities. They spend much of their time working with people and overseeing training activities.

Work Schedules

Most training and development managers work full time during regular business hours. Some work more than 40 hours per week.

Training and development managers typically need a bachelor’s or master’s degree and related work experience.

The median annual wage for training and development managers was $127,090 in May 2024.

Employment of training and development managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 3,800 openings for training and development managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.