What Do Directors of Training and Development Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for directors of training and development?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what directors of training and development do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Directors of Training and Development Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about directors of training and development by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Directors of Training and Development plan, direct, or coordinate the training and development activities and staff of an organization.
Popular Job Titles For Directors of Training and Development
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Training Managers
- Directors of Staff Development
- Sales and Training Managers
- Training and Development Managers
- Managers-in-Training
- Talent Managers
- Directors of Training
- Directors of Learning and Development
- Safety and Training Managers
- Development Coordinators
- Directors of Training and Development
- Sales Training Managers
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for directors of training and development can be found.
Best Industries for Directors of Training and Development
Directors of Training and Development Jobs By Industry
- Federal Government, Military: 18.6%
- Management of Companies and Enterprises: 11.5%
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services: 3.3%
- Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services: 2.9%
- Education and Hospitals (State Government): 2.8%
- General Medical and Surgical Hospitals: 2.7%
- Other: 58.2%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of directors of training and development can be found working in the Federal Government, Military sector. In 2022, about 18.6% of all jobs for directors of training and development were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Management of Companies and Enterprises (11.5%), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (3.3%), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (2.9%), Education and Hospitals (State Government) (2.8%) and General Medical and Surgical Hospitals (2.7%).
Top Online College For Working Adults
Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Degree Options for Directors of Training and Development
Find ways to attract, train, and retain the very best talent by implementing effective benefits and labor-relations strategies.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Accreditation: IACBE
Focus your online doctoral program at Franklin University and earn an Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction (Doctor of Education in Instructional Design Leadership).Focus your online doctoral program at Franklin University and earn an Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction (Doctor of Education in Instructional Design Leadership).
- Years To Complete: 3
Focus your online doctorate in educational technology at Franklin University and earn an Ed.D. Instructional Technology degree (Doctor of Education in Instructional Design Leadership).
- Years To Complete: 3
Educational and business settings need effective and ethical leaders. Franklin’s 3-year Ed.D. with a focus on Organization Leadership equips you to become a transformative leader. With this 100% online doctor of education, you’ll develop expertise in educational technology, data-driven decision making and real-world change management.
- Years To Complete: 3
- Class Type: 100% online
- Years To Complete: 3
Understand what’s behind the structure, behavior and environment of your organization.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 14
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Learn the strategic skills needed to be a leader in the evolving field of Human Resources.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 14
- Accreditation: IACBE
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Be a dynamic HR leader by building your expertise in workplace law, organizational development and strategic human resource management, with Franklin’s online accredited 12-month MBA with a Specialization in Human Resources.
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Do Directors of Training and Development Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what directors of training and development do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work directors of training and development do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that directors of training and development tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for directors of training and development, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Directors of Training and Development
Based on 27,451 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Directors of Training and Development
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management | 5,401 | 20% |
| Marketing | 3,629 | 13% |
| Learning Management Systems | 3,445 | 13% |
| Talent Management | 3,383 | 12% |
| Instructional Design | 3,219 | 12% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Directors of Training and Development
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Leadership | 13,630 | 50% |
| Communications | 13,536 | 49% |
| Management | 11,723 | 43% |
| Training And Development | 8,305 | 30% |
| Operations | 7,203 | 26% |
Based on 27,451 job postings related to directors of training and development, project management was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 20% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for marketing, learning management systems, talent management, instructional design and adult education were also highly sought.
As for common skills, leadership was the most desired skill found in job postings for directors of training and development, followed by communications, management, training and development, operations and customer service.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management | 5,401 | 20% |
| Marketing | 3,629 | 13% |
| Learning Management Systems | 3,445 | 13% |
| Talent Management | 3,383 | 12% |
| Instructional Design | 3,219 | 12% |
| Adult Education | 2,979 | 11% |
| Curriculum Development | 2,923 | 11% |
| Organizational Development | 2,400 | 9% |
| Data Analysis | 2,218 | 8% |
| Change Management | 1,997 | 7% |
| Selling Techniques | 1,981 | 7% |
| Auditing | 1,977 | 7% |
| Performance Management | 1,942 | 7% |
| Process Improvement | 1,860 | 7% |
| Succession Planning | 1,584 | 6% |
| Nursing | 1,431 | 5% |
| Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) | 1,380 | 5% |
| Adult Learning Principles | 1,316 | 5% |
| Finance | 1,289 | 5% |
| Business Process | 1,215 | 4% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Leadership | 13,630 | 50% |
| Communications | 13,536 | 49% |
| Management | 11,723 | 43% |
| Training And Development | 8,305 | 30% |
| Operations | 7,203 | 26% |
| Customer Service | 5,924 | 22% |
| Planning | 5,835 | 21% |
| Sales | 5,610 | 20% |
| Coaching | 5,425 | 20% |
| Writing | 5,362 | 20% |
| Problem Solving | 5,099 | 19% |
| Presentations | 5,096 | 19% |
| Microsoft Office | 4,770 | 17% |
| Microsoft Excel | 4,369 | 16% |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 4,106 | 15% |
| Influencing Skills | 3,850 | 14% |
| Coordinating | 3,749 | 14% |
| Innovation | 3,695 | 13% |
| Detail Oriented | 3,651 | 13% |
| Mentorship | 3,502 | 13% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Directors of Training and Development
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Training Managers | 7,877 | 22.8% |
| Directors of Staff Development | 5,800 | 16.8% |
| Sales and Training Managers | 3,315 | 9.6% |
| Training and Development Managers | 1,974 | 5.7% |
| Managers-in-Training | 1,590 | 4.6% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2021 and August 2022, the top job sought by employers was training managers, with 2,732 unique job postings. Directors of staff development were second, with 933 postings, followed by sales and training managers, training and development managers and managers-in-training.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to directors of training and development.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Training Managers | 7,877 | 22.8% |
| Directors of Staff Development | 5,800 | 16.8% |
| Sales and Training Managers | 3,315 | 9.6% |
| Training and Development Managers | 1,974 | 5.7% |
| Managers-in-Training | 1,590 | 4.6% |
| Talent Managers | 1,120 | 3.2% |
| Directors of Training | 1,932 | 5.6% |
| Directors of Learning and Development | 1,318 | 3.8% |
| Safety and Training Managers | 1,963 | 5.7% |
| Development Coordinators | 972 | 2.8% |
| Directors of Training and Development | 1,363 | 3.9% |
| Sales Training Managers | 643 | 1.9% |
| Training Officers | 674 | 2% |
| Field Training Managers | 549 | 1.6% |
| Personal Training Directors | 564 | 1.6% |
| Technical Training Managers | 447 | 1.3% |
| Directors of Training and Quality | 1,020 | 3% |
| Directors of Talent Management | 729 | 2.1% |
| Talent Management Managers | 372 | 1.1% |
| Area Training Managers | 333 | 1% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for directors of training and development? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for directors of training and development.
How much do directors of training and development make?
Directors of Training and Development: How do you become one?
All Occupations
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has compiled data for dozens of in-demand jobs. Explore our full catalog of occupation data by visiting the link below.