Training & Development Specialist

Job Description:

Training & Development Specialist

Here at Rakuten Kobo Inc. we offer a casual working start-up environment and a group of friendly and talented individuals. Our employees rank us highly in terms of commitment to work/life balance. We realize that for our people to be innovative, creative and passionate they need to feel supported and valued. We believe in rewarding all our employees with competitive salaries, performance based annual bonuses, stock options, comprehensive benefit and wellness programs and training opportunities.

If you’re looking for a company that inspires passion, personal, and professional growth join Rakuten Kobo and come help us make reading lives better.

The Role:

Rakuten Kobo Inc. is looking for a Training & Development Specialist to join our Employee Experience team! The team is comprised of talented and enthusiastic individuals who work hard to shape an environment that fosters professional development and employee satisfaction. Reporting to the Talent Development Manager, the Training & Development Specialist will work closely with members of the Employee Experience team, leaders, employees and Rakuten’s Global Talent Management and Inclusion (GTMI) team to support and develop programs that enhance organizational learning and development. This includes conducting needs analyses, developing innovative training solutions, facilitating engaging learning experiences, and leveraging AI to optimize program effectiveness. A key responsibility will be the weekly facilitation of our in-person onboarding program at our Toronto office. You will also contribute to the development of career paths, ensuring our talented people continue to learn, develop, and thrive.

The Person:

The successful candidate will be knowledgeable about Training and Development best practices and Adult Learning Principles.  If you’re a strong communicator, passionate and experienced at implementing development programs to accelerate the careers of our talent pool, we want to hear from you!

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Talent Development Manager and business leaders to conduct thorough training needs analysis and identify key skill gaps across the organization
• Contribute to the design, development, and implementation of innovative and impactful learning and development programs, utilizing a variety of modalities (instructor-led, e-learning, blended learning, microlearning)
• Facilitate weekly in-person onboarding training sessions at our Toronto office, ensuring a positive and engaging experience for new hires
• Facilitate and support a variety of other training sessions such as team building activities, Kobo Tech University, lunch and learns, compliance training, individual employee training requests, and company wide training events
• Manage and curate employee training and development resources, including the Employee Portal, Optimism University, and Kobo Learning Channel, ensuring content is current, relevant, and easily accessible
• Liaise with the Talent Development Manager and various leaders to contribute to the development of career development plans for Kobo employees
• Develop and maintain an annual training calendar to support organizational development initiatives and ensure alignment with business goals
• Ensure all training programs meet new or changing compliance legislation and regulatory requirements
• Support employee engagement programs and initiatives, contributing to a positive and productive work environment
• Research, evaluate, and implement AI-powered tools and techniques to enhance L&D programs, such as automated content creation
• Analyze data from learning platforms to identify trends and insights for program optimization and demonstrate the ROI of L&D initiatives
• Contribute to the development of L&D strategies and initiatives that support Kobo’s overall talent management goals
• Create and manage various communication channels to promote L&D opportunities, including a monthly newsletter, town hall updates, Employee Portal updates, and email campaigns

The Skillset:

Required:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Adult Education, Human Resources, Organizational Development or related field
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a training and development related role, with increasing levels of responsibility
• Proven experience designing, developing, and delivering organization-wide learning and development initiatives for in-person and online environments
• Excellent facilitation skills, with demonstrated self-confidence and an ability to adapt content and conversations to meet the needs of your audience
• Strong knowledge of adult learning principles, instructional design techniques, online learning, assessments, and evaluation methodologies
• Experience with Articulate 360 and Learning Management Systems
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to collaborate well with staff at all levels within the organization
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and concisely
• Experience using AI-powered tools and techniques to improve L&D programs (e.g., personalized learning platforms, AI-driven content creation, intelligent tutoring systems)
• Demonstrated understanding of the ethical considerations and best practices for using AI in L&D
• Ability to analyze data and metrics to ensure the effectiveness of L&D programs and demonstrate their impact on business outcomes
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to work from our Toronto office three days per week

Nice to Haves:

• CTP, CTDP, and/or an HR Professional designation
• Certification in PPA/DISC Profile Assessments
• Experience with Workday HRMS
• Experience working in a Global Organization

The Perks:

• Hybrid working environment with flexible hours
• Full benefits starting from your first day
• Paid Volunteer days, unlimited sick days, and 3% GRSP matching
• Monthly commuting allowance
• Flexible health spending account
• Talent and development training budget
• Free Kobo device + free weekly e-book or audiobook
• Frequent Lunch and Learns Author series
• Extended long weekends in the summer
• Weekly Kobo Tech University sessions
• Maternity/paternity leave top up
• Dog friendly office

About Rakuten Kobo Inc.
Owned by Tokyo-based Rakuten and headquartered in Toronto, Rakuten Kobo Inc. is one of the most advanced global ecommerce companies, with the world’s most innovative e-reading services offering more than 6 million eBooks and audiobooks to 30 million + customers in 190 countries. Kobo delivers the best digital reading experience through creative innovation, award-winning e-readers, and top-ranking mobile apps. Kobo is a part of the Rakuten group of companies.
Rakuten Kobo Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Accessibility accommodations for candidates with disabilities participating in the selection process are available on request. Any information received related to accommodation needs of applicants will be addressed confidentially.

Rakuten Kobo would like to thank all applicants for their interest in this role however only qualified candidates will be shortlisted.

Beware of fraudulent job offers claiming to be from Rakuten. Rakuten does not send unsolicited job offers or request money during the recruitment process. Learn more: https://rakutenemploymentalert.com/
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