Learning & Development Manager
About Mobile Loaves & Fishes
Mobile Loaves & Fishes (MLF) is a social outreach ministry that has been empowering communities into a lifestyle of service with the homeless since 1998. Founded in Austin, Texas, the organization serves its homeless neighbors through three core programs : Truck Ministry, Community First! Village, and Community Works. Often referred to as the most talked about neighborhood in Austin, Community First! Village is a 51-acre master planned development that provides affordable, permanent housing and a supportive community for men and women coming out of chronic homelessness. We are now embarking on a new phase of community expansion, adding more than 1400 new neighbors over the next 5-10 years.
About the Role
The Learning & Development Manager plays a vital role on the Mobile Loaves & Fishes' Organizational Empowerment Team by fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth, grounded in our organizational culture and core values. This role partners with employees and leaders to create opportunities that develop skills, strengthen teams, and advance MLF's vision of empowering communities into a lifestyle of service with the homeless. In doing so, the Learning & Development Manager helps organizational leadership support the growth of their people in ways that steward and sustain MLF for years to come.
This is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Sr. Director of Empowerment. Due to the nature and requirements of the position, hours are flexible to fit need but typically include 8am-5pm Monday-Friday. Some nights and weekends may be required. The Learning & Development Manager will office at Community First! Village located at 9116 Hog Eye Road, Austin, TX 78724.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Collaborate with leadership and department heads to define learning needs, identify skill gaps, and establish training goals to support organizational growth and sustainability.
- Develop and implement learning strategies and opportunities that align with the organization's mission, values, and strategic objectives.
- Design and deliver training programs using various formats (e.g., workshops, e-learning, blended learning) to foster employee growth and development.
- Collaborate with the People Operations Team to manage and refine the onboarding program, ensuring new employees are effectively integrated into the organization.
- Coach and partner with managers to support team growth, career development, and high-potential employee advancement, in alignment with MLF's vision and core values.
- Partner with leadership to implement career pathways that equip employees with resources and learning opportunities while aligning career growth with organizational needs and goals.
- Collaborate with the Culture Team on organizational-wide initiatives, including co-creating content and assisting with facilitation and execution.
- Collaborate with People Operations Team leaders on cross-functional HR projects, contributing L&D expertise to support employee engagement, performance, and organizational change initiatives.
- Monitor and evaluate training program effectiveness, collecting feedback and making data-driven improvements based on organizational needs.
- Manage the learning and development budget, ensuring cost-effective delivery of training programs and accurate expense tracking.
- Maintain relationships with external vendors and consultants to provide specialized training solutions as needed.
- Lead and manage the Learning & Development team to ensure effective program delivery and professional growth.
- Stay current on industry trends and best practices, integrating innovative learning methods to enhance the employee experience.
- Other Duties & Responsibilities as needed
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Principles
MLF is a faith-based organization whose ideals and philosophy come directly from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As an organization, we strive to reflect this precept in our communications, both internally and externally.Commitment to serving those who have experienced homelessness and personal alignment with MLF's vision, mission, core values, and goals.7+ years of experience in Learning & Development3+ years of people management experienceHighly skilled in teaching, group facilitating, and public speakingHigh emotional intelligence and self-awarenessPassionate and gifted in developing leadersCollaborative, team-oriented approach to workExperienced in designing effective training programs and curricula that meet diverse learning needs and align with organizational goals.Excellent verbal and written communication skills to convey concepts clearly, facilitate training sessions, and collaborate effectively with team members and leadership.Analytical and data-driven, with strong ability to assess training effectiveness and identify skill gaps through data and feedback and use performance metrics to drive continuous improvement.Must have a valid driver's licenseWork Environment & Physical Demands
Prolonged periods of sitting / standing at a desk and working on a computerMust be able to lift 15 pounds at timesMust be able to frequently move around all phases of Community First! Village propertySome nights and weekends requiredBenefits
Day one 100% Employer paid, Health, Dental, Vision, Life, STD & LTD InsuranceGenerous Paid Time Off & Holiday PayMatching 401(k) Retirement PlanCorporate Discount ProgramProfessional Development OpportunitiesEmployee Assistance ProgramPaid Parental LeaveWellness Partnership BenefitsMLF VISION
We empower communities into a lifestyle of service with the homeless.
MLF MISSION
We provide food and clothing, cultivate community, and promote dignity to our homeless brothers and sisters in need.
GOALS
Transform the way people view the stereotype of those who find themselves homelessReconnect the homeless to self, family and communityHelp the chronically homeless rediscover and utilize their God-given talents to do purposeful workConnect human to human, heart to heart through the fellowship of food and hospitalityInspire people into a lifestyle of abundance by giving their best firstBELIEF STATEMENTS
The vision is supported by belief statements centered on our belief that homelessness is the result of a profound, catastrophic loss of family :
God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed lifeBy virtue of being created by God in His image, we are all called to live in community and relationship with Him through each otherThe family is the original cell of social lifeYou shall love your neighbor as yourselfAll members of the human family are equal in dignityThe Lord God took the man and settled him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and care for it. Gen 2 : 15CORE VALUES
MLF is committed to fostering a culture that prioritizes relational connection. We believe there is opportunity in every aspect of our work to be relational in a highly transactional world. In this culture, transactions are means to relational ends, not the other way around.
This begins with the countercultural love poured out by Jesus Christ and grows as imperfect individuals strive to show this love to each other human-to-human, heart-to-heart.
Each individual's openness to the journey of their own personal growth is essential in building our relational culture, and we believe this culture flourishes as we each continuously strive to more fully embody these four core values :
Faith : We define Faith as the foundational belief that our world and all our work belong to God. This allows us to engage our work with joy and lightheartedness, knowing that we are not ultimately in control.Humility : We define Humility as rightly viewing oneself as a single piece of a grander story. This humility leads to a view of oneself that is neither too high nor too low.Generous Spirit : We define a Generous Spirit as a readiness to give more grace, mercy, and hospitality than is necessary or expected. This posture allows us to see others for who they are, not what they do.Integrity : We define Integrity as a wholehearted commitment to doing right by God, ourselves, and others. This wholeheartedness shows itself in consistently choosing honesty, responsibility and ownership in all actions and decisions.This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
MLF is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Personnel are chosen based on ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, genetics, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation in accordance with federal and state law.