Director of Employee Experience and Learning - Training and Development Manager 1

Job Details

Working Title: Director of Employee Experience and Learning
Job Class: Training and Development Manager 1
Agency: Department of Employment and Economic Development

• Job ID: 93741
• Location: St. Paul
• Telework Eligible: Yes, may be eligible for some telework
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 04/23/2026
• Closing Date: 05/13/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Employment and Economic Development Department - Managerial
• Division/Unit: Human Resources Leaders
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: Yes, up to 5-10% of the time
• Salary Range: $40.86 - $59.07 / hourly; $85,315 - $123,338 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 220 - Manager/Unrepresented
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Executive
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Job Summary

Are you a strategic leader who knows how employee learning, engagement, and organizational development drive workforce performance?

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is seeking a Manager to lead our agency’s Employee Experience and Learning team focused on employee learning, leadership development, engagement, and organizational development.

This leadership role is responsible for designing and implementing an integrated, data-informed approach that strengthens leader capability, improves employee experience, supports compliance, and advances agency priorities. The position serves as a key advisor to senior leaders on engagement trends, leadership development, culture transformation efforts, and organizational effectiveness.

In this role, you will:

• Lead development and execution of DEED’s employee experience and learning programs.
• Advise leaders on engagement, leadership capability, and organizational effectiveness.
• Oversee employee engagement survey strategy, analysis, action planning, and accountability follow-through.
• Direct leadership development and learning initiatives aligned with enterprise competencies and agency workforce needs.
• Supervise professional staff responsible for learning and development, engagement and culture, and learning operations and systems.
• Oversee learning systems, compliance structures, program measurement, and outcome reporting.
• Manage budget, contracts, and external vendors supporting employee experience and learning initiatives.
• Represent DEED in statewide and enterprise learning, engagement, and workforce development efforts.

We are seeking a leader who can think systemically, use data to drive decisions, influence across divisions, and balance strategic leadership with operational execution in a complex public-sector environment.

This position is telework eligible. Telework options for this position are dependent on where the employee lives. Staff are provided with the tools and equipment to be successful in a virtual work environment. Please note, the telework policy could change with notice based on business needs.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held. Only applicants whose resumes clearly demonstrate fulfillment of each of these minimum qualifications will be considered for this position.

Four (4) years of experience leading, managing, or consulting on at least three (3) of the following HR functions: organizational development, employee learning and development, employee engagement, workforce development, leadership development, or change management initiatives in a large or complex organization; AND at least one (1) year of supervisory or managerial experience leading professional staff.

The four (4) years of experience may include the one (1) year of supervisory or managerial experience.

The above experience must demonstrate the following:

• Experience developing and implementing multiple organization-wide or department-wide strategies and programs with operational accountability for implementation, prioritization and outcomes.
• Experience using data, metrics, assessments, survey results, or other workforce information to evaluate needs, guide decisions, and improve programs.
• Experience advising senior leaders, managers, or executives on organizational effectiveness, employee development, engagement, or change-related issues.

In addition to the minimum qualifications, the following will be assessed during the interview process:

• Ability to translate organizational needs into practical learning, engagement, or organizational development strategies.
• Skill in executive communication, facilitation, and consultation to build credibility and influence across divisions and with leaders without direct authority.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in public-sector, highly regulated, and/or unionized environments.
• Experience leading employee engagement survey strategy, action planning, and accountability follow-through.
• Experience designing or leading leadership development frameworks, programs, or competency-based development strategies.
• Experience overseeing learning management systems, compliance tracking, or enterprise training structures.
• Experience managing budgets, contracts, and/or external vendors.
• Experience leading cross-functional organizational change, workforce initiatives or sensitive organizational dynamics.
• Experience integrating diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility principles into employee development, engagement, or organizational effectiveness work.

Additional Requirements

A job offer will be contingent upon successfully passing a background check. The background check may consist of the following components:

• Criminal Background Check
• Employment Records Check (current and former State employees only)
• Employment Reference Check
• Conflict of Interest Review
• Driver’s License and Records Check

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development will not sponsor applicants for work visas. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

Application Details

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

Connect 700 Program

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Talent Acquisition at talent.acquisition.deed@state.mn.us.

Veterans

To be considered with Veteran's Status, you MUST indicate this on your application and submit a copy of your DD-214 form and other required documentation to talent.acquisition.deed@state.mn.us by the closing date.

Recently Separated Veterans (RSV): Effective July 1, 2009, legislation provides that the top five RSV applicants who apply and meet the qualifications for a vacancy shall be granted an interview.

Certain Disabled Veterans: Effective August 1, 2012, legislation provides state agencies with the option to appoint certain disabled veterans on a non-competitive basis.

See the above links for criteria and eligibility.

Current State Employees

• Please apply via Self Service.

Contact

If you have questions about this position, contact Amber Yang at amber.yang@state.mn.us.

Working together to improve the state we love.

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Benefits

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
  • Fertility care, including IVF
  • Diabetes care
  • Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

Support to help you reach your career goals:

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES

Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and let us know the support you need.

The Department of Employment and Economic Development is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employer, and encourages all qualified candidates to apply for job opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application and search tools, please contact Karen Lilledahl at Karen.Lilledahl@state.mn.us. Please indicate what assistance is needed.

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