PURPOSE: 

This is an ideal opportunity to work at a growing organization with a strong family culture. Shepherd Insurance is a privately-owned insurance agency that has delivered risk management solutions since 1977. With a wide variety of insurance and financial products, we are among the largest independent agencies in the country.

As the Director of Corporate Training, you will lead Shepherd's development and implementation of comprehensive training programs across the agency platform ensuring employees across all departments have the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to perform at the highest level. This role is responsible for developing and executing training initiatives that support business objectives, operational excellence, employee engagement, and organizational growth.

The Director of Corporate Training will oversee the training team as well as partner closely with executive leadership, department leaders, and subject matter experts to create scalable learning solutions. With a positive attitude, this role serves as a strategic leader who drives continuous improvement in employee development, onboarding, technology adoption, professional growth, and training effectiveness across the organization.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and execute the organization's corporate training and learning strategy in alignment with business objectives, company culture, and growth initiatives.
• Create a long-term vision for employee development, professional growth, technology adoption, and skills advancement.
• Establish training standards, methodologies, and best practices across all business units.
• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of learning programs that support new hire onboarding, ongoing development, compliance, leadership development, and technical training.
• Evaluate emerging learning technologies, platforms, and methodologies to enhance employee engagement and effectiveness.
• Lead, develop, and mentor a team consisting of Corporate Trainers and a Learning & Development Manager. 
• Establish goals, performance expectations, and development plans for direct reports.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, accountability, collaboration, and innovation within the training team.
• Oversee the development and delivery of instructor-led, virtual, self-paced, and blended learning programs.
• Ensure consistency and quality across all training materials, curriculum, learning paths, and employee development initiatives.
• Direct training efforts related to agency management systems and technology platforms including, but not limited to, AMS 360, ImageRight, InsuredMine, PL Rater, Informer, Total CSR, and future technology implementations.
• Collaborate with department leaders to improve workflows, operational processes, and employee performance through targeted learning solutions.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership regarding training and development programs, and initiatives. 
• Analyze employee performance data, training participation, learner feedback, and proficiency assessments to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Utilize reporting and data analytics to measure return on investment and demonstrate the value of learning initiatives.
• Conduct training needs assessments and organizational skill gap analyses to support workforce planning.
• Ensure training documentation, curriculum materials, and learning resources remain current and aligned with organizational needs.
• Assist in data integrity and immersion efforts across the agency.
• Attend meetings and complete special projects as needed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Exceptional leadership, coaching, and relationship-building capabilities.
• Experience analyzing training effectiveness through metrics, reporting, and performance analytics.
• Outstanding written, verbal, presentation, and facilitation skills.
• Organizational, planning, project management, problem resolution and influencing skills required.
• Value high ethical standards and personal integrity.
• Expert knowledge of changes in training schedules and calendars.
• Ability to travel to remote offices as needed.
• Proficient knowledge of training new and existing employees as well as proven ability to engage audiences in learning topics quickly and effectively. 
• Familiar in a variety of computer software applications including Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), agency & document managing system (AMS 360 is preferred). 
• Capability to use prior knowledge of classroom/virtual training as well as software training. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Experience: At least five (5) years’ experience in previous position is desirable.
• Education requirement: High school diploma or equivalent (GED) is required. College degree is preferred, not necessary.
• Experience working directly with insurance carriers and websites, and agency management systems.
• Familiar in a variety of computer software applications including Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), agency & document managing system (AMS 360 is preferred). 

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is not exposed to weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.