A Learning and Development Manager drives their organization’s learning and development (L&D) activities, enhancing employees’ skills, competencies, and knowledge, and improving work performance. As such, they play a key role in enabling the organization to attract, retain, and engage employees.
This article discusses what the role entails, what qualifications and skills it requires, how much you can earn as an L&D Manager, and how a career in L&D management can progress.
Contents
What is a Learning and Development Manager?
Learning and Development Manager job description
Roles and responsibilities of a Learning and Development Manager
Qualifications for a Learning and Development Manager role
Skills and competencies for a Learning and Development Manager role
Average Learning and Development Manager salary
Potential career path for a Learning and Development Manager
AIHR certificate programs to consider
Key takeaways
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An L&D Manager aligns learning with business goals and drives employee development.
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Core responsibilities span needs analysis, program design/delivery, budget and vendor management, and impact measurement.
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CIPD Level 5 and CPTM can strengthen strategic design and operational management skills in L&D.
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A strong L&D strategy aligns to business goals, prioritizes critical skills, embeds learning in work, and iterates with data.
What is a Learning and Development Manager?
A Learning and Development (L&D) Manager oversees employee training and professional growth. The goal is to build the skills the business needs while helping people reach their potential. L&D Managers align the learning strategy with company and team objectives. They work with business leaders, HR and L&D Specialists to turn these goals into practical programs.
They select and combine learning formats to fit different needs and contexts (e.g., e-learning, workshops, job shadowing, coaching). In large companies, the L&D Manager typically leads the L&D team. In smaller companies, the role may sit with an HR Generalist and team managers. Additionally, they serve as the main contact for learning vendors and key internal stakeholders.
Learning and Development Manager job description
A Learning and Development Manager plays a pivotal role in day-to-day L&D activities. They coordinate all L&D activities and partner with business managers, other members of the L&D department, and HR. The ideal candidate is a friendly, self-motivated team player with strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
Roles and responsibilities of a Learning and Development Manager
Here are the roles and responsibilities of a Learning and Development Manager:
- Build and implement the learning strategy and annual plan aligned to business goals.
- Partner with leaders and stakeholders to run enterprise- and team-level training needs analysis by function and role.
- Design, source, or curate learning programs and content; choose delivery modalities (e-learning, classroom, blended, coaching, workshops, mentoring).
- Launch programs and oversee delivery logistics with L&D specialists and HR partners.
- Ensure a positive learner experience and clear communication.
- Hire, coach, and coordinate L&D Specialists (where applicable).
- Manage L&D budgets; negotiate contracts and manage vendor relationships.
- Act as the primary contact for learning queries; drive adoption and engagement.
- Measure learning impact with clear metrics; report outcomes and use data to improve.
- Develop HR team capabilities in training where L&D sits in HR.
- Stay current on learning science, trends, and technologies; recommend new tools and approaches.
Qualifications for a Learning and Development Manager role
To thrive in L&D management, candidates need the right combination of education, experience, and certifications.
Educational requirements
Here are the minimum educational requirements for becoming a Learning and Development Manager in the U.S.:
- Bachelor’s degree in HR, psychology, education, business, or a related field
- A Master’s degree can be beneficial for senior roles.
Recommended certifications
While optional, relevant certifications within the L&D field are valued and can help further your career. Here are some popular certifications:
- CIPD Associate Diploma in Organizational L&D (Level 5): Builds practical capability to design, deliver, and evaluate L&D strategies aligned with business goals, boosting credibility and progression into mid-level L&D roles.
- Certified Professional in Training Management (CPTM): Sharpens the management side of L&D (operations, budgeting, vendor oversight, and ROI measurement) so managers can run scalable, business-focused training functions.
Work experience
Although exact requirements vary per organization and industry, here is the experience you’ll generally need to be considered for a Learning and Development Manager position:
- Manager-level roles may demand at least three years of relevant HR/L&D experience
- Deeper experience is likely required for roles with a larger scope or team leadership aspect.
Master learning and development to drive workforce success
To create a strong L&D strategy for long-term workforce and business success, you must forecast and prioritize critical skills, offer blended learning, and enable manager coaching.
✅ Conduct effective learning needs assessments to target skill gaps
✅ Design engaging training programs using proven instructional design models
✅ Evaluate learning initiatives to measure impact and improve future programs
✅ Align L&D strategies with broader organizational goals for measurable business results
🎓 Advance your HR career with the flexible, online Learning & Development Certificate Program.
Skills and competencies for a Learning and Development Manager role
Let’s examine the specific skills and competencies expected of an L&D Manager.
Role-specific skills
- Training needs analysis and stakeholder alignment to achieve business outcomes
- Learning strategy, program design development and implementation, and curriculum road-mapping
- Blended learning design (e-learning, classroom, coaching, on-the-job training), and facilitation oversight
- Vendor management and budgeting for learning programs
- Measuring learning effectiveness and continuous improvement.
Technical skills
- Familiarity with Learning Management System (LMS) platforms and e-learning authoring tools
- Ability to produce digital learning materials
- Data literacy for HR to track participation and outcomes
- Basic analytics for program optimization
- General software proficiency for content creation and reporting.
Soft skills
- Strong communication skills and stakeholder management across various levels
- Project management, organization, and follow-through
- Problem-solving and adaptability
- Proactive scanning of learning trends and technologies
- Coaching, mentoring, and team leadership (when managing L&D Specialists).
Average Learning and Development Manager salary
Let’s examine a Learning and Development Manager’s average salary in the U.S.
According to Indeed, the average base salary for an L&D Manager in the U.S. is $95,846 annually Salary.com, on the other hand, reports an average yearly wage of $121,441. Glassdoor shows an average annual salary of between $74,000 and $120,000, and on ZipRecruiter, this figure is stated as $99,699.
However, it’s important to note that actual compensation will vary based on your experience, skills, qualifications, the size of the company, its location, and the industry it operates in.
Potential career path for a Learning and Development Manager
A career in L&D management offers many paths depending on your skills, interests, and the type of organization you work for. A typical progression moves from Learning and Development Coordinator to Learning and Development Specialist, then Learning and Development Manager (advanced), and finally Head of Learning & Development (senior).
You can also broaden your career through lateral moves. Many L&D professionals shift into consulting — as a consultant, coach, or independent trainer — to design tailored programs or advise on learning strategy.
Others move into broader HR roles such as HR Generalist or HR Business Partner (HRBP), into Organizational Development roles (e.g., Head of Organizational Development) to drive change and transformation, or into talent management focusing on leadership development, engagement, retention, and strengthening the employee experience and EVP.
Check out AIHR’s HR Career Map to explore your ideal career path in learning and development.
AIHR certificate programs to consider
AIHR offers three online, self-paced programs to help Learning and Development Managers strengthen their skill set.
Learning & Development Certificate Program
The Learning & Development Certificate Program covers designing digital learning experiences, building a culture of learning, learning analytics, and more. Projects include discovering how to carry out a skills gap analysis for specific jobs, mapping the why of your digital learning experience, and designing an onboarding experience.
HR Manager Certificate Program
The HR Manager Certificate Program will help you build organizational design, lean management, and business administration skills. Participants will gain a deep understanding of HR operating models and learn how to align HR strategies with business goals.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Certificate Program
The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Certificate Program will teach you how to master and apply the key concepts of DEIB. The program also covers creating effective DEIB policies to build an inclusive work environment and how intercultural differences vary across countries, cultures, and value systems.
Next steps
What does a Learning and Development Manager do? Put simply, they are responsible for the training and professional development of an organization’s employees while ensuring the company’s learning strategy aligns with its business objectives.
To embark on your own journey in the L&D management space, reflect on your strengths and identify the skills you need to develop. From there, choose a relevant training program (explore one of AIHR’s certificate programs, for instance), and reach out to professionals who are currently in an L&D Manager role for advice, insights, and guidance.
