Learning & Development (L&D) Specialist

Description

WHO WE ARE

City First Bank N.A. is a mission-driven Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) principally focused on a transformative impact in underserved, urban markets with the highest needs to drive equitable economic development. Our credit activities are purely commercial and focused on the following segments: Multifamily Affordable Housing, Not-for-Profit Finance, and Small Business Finance. As a depository and commercial lending provider with over $1.3 billion in bank assets as of December 31, 2024, our unified organization has over 100 employees in Washington DC and Los Angeles/Inglewood, CA.

Role Summary

City First Bank believes in investing in our employees and providing them with opportunities for professional growth and development. As we continue to grow and expand our operations, we are seeking a dynamic and experienced Learning & Development (L&D) Manager to join our team.

The Learning & Development (L&D) Specialist will play a key role in building and delivering impactful learning experiences that drive performance, employee and leadership growth, and employee engagement. This highly collaborative role requires a dynamic professional who can design content, facilitate engaging sessions, manage L&D projects, and communicate confidently with stakeholders at all levels, including executive leadership.

This is a highly visible role, ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, brings strong instructional design and facilitation skills, and enjoys shaping learning strategy alongside the L&D Manager.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

Learning Design & Development

• Design and develop high-impact learning content (instructor-led, virtual, eLearning, job aids, toolkits) for employees around competencies such as compliance, customer experience, treasury basics, product knowledge, operations, and more. Add a bullet or comment above to include REAL, soft skill training for all employees
• Collaborate with subject matter experts (SMEs) to create role-specific or department-specific training.
• Apply adult learning theory and inclusive design practices.
• Support continuous improvement of existing programs and learning assets.
• Develop and deliver financial literacy training, per supervisor direction, for clients/partners (e.g. budgeting, credit, savings, investments).
• Partner with external organizations/community groups to facilitate workshops or webinars.
  
  

Facilitation & Delivery

• Deliver engaging, in-person and virtual training sessions for employees and managers.
• Facilitate programs across key areas like onboarding, compliance, leadership, and career development.
• Adapt delivery style to suit different audiences and learning formats.
• As necessary, partner with external organizations/community groups to facilitate workshops or webinars.
  
  

Stakeholder Partnership & Executive Engagement

• Serve as a learning partner to key departments, understanding their needs and recommending solutions.
• Confidently present learning plans or results to senior leaders.
• Gather and incorporate feedback to enhance learning effectiveness.
  
  

Program & Project Management

• Manage assigned learning projects from conception through implementation.
• Utilize Asana to track and manage projects and Training Request Forms.
• Coordinate logistics, communications, and follow-up for learning initiatives.
• Co-create success metrics (pre-/post-tests, feedback surveys, completion rates) and report on impact of training (both financial literacy and internal learning).
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Requirements

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Required Education/Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of adult learning principles, instructional design methodologies, and learning technologies.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to deliver engaging and interactive training sessions.
• Proven project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
  
  

Preferred Education/Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in learning and development, training, or organizational development roles, preferably in the banking or financial services industry.
• Prior experience in Commercial Banking.
• Bachelor's degree in human resources, organizational development, education, or a related field.
• Proficiency in learning management systems (LMS) and other training delivery platforms.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Required Knowledge & Skills:

• Knowledge of training delivery methods, including instructor-led training, e-learning, workshops, and on-the-job training.
• Knowledge of industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies in learning and development.
• Understanding of banking industry regulations and compliance requirements related to training and employee development.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to articulate complex concepts clearly and effectively.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build rapport with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Presentation skills, including the ability to deliver engaging and interactive training sessions.
• Analytical skills, with the ability to assess training needs, evaluate program effectiveness, and make data-driven decisions.
• Coaching and mentoring skills, with the ability to provide guidance and support to employees and managers on development opportunities.
• Ability to develop and implement a comprehensive learning and development strategy aligned with organizational goals.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders across departments and levels of the organization.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and requirements in a fast-paced environment.