Director of Learning & Development

Director of Learning & Development

We are seeking a Director of Learning & Development to join our team in a highly visible, strategic role that will be responsible for the design, implementation, and delivery of enterprise-wide learning initiatives that support both property level operations and corporate functions across Marcus Hotels & Resorts and Marcus Corporation. Reporting to the Vice President of Human Resources, this leader will partner closely with corporate, divisional, and property leadership, serving as a trusted advisor to leaders, ensuring all learning strategies are aligned with operational priorities and broader business goals.

This role requires a significant amount of travel and the ideal candidate is based in the Milwaukee/Wisconsin area. Success in this role will be defined by the ability to develop and elevate talent at every level of the organization, while aligning L&D programs with our mission and culture to Serve People, Create Memories, and Deliver Exceptional Experiences. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Marcus Hotels & Resorts brings over 60 years of operational excellence and a deep commitment to providing exceptional service.

Our growing portfolio of 17 hotels and resorts across the U.S. reflect a unique sense of place, character, and style. As "People Pleasing People," we are dedicated to creating extraordinary experiences for both our guests and our associates. Marcus Corporation is a recognized leader in the lodging and entertainment industries, with substantial company-owned real estate assets across 19 states and a proven track record of success spanning more than 90 years.

What you will be doing:

• Define and lead a multi-year, enterprise-wide L&D strategy supporting hotel property operations (departmental, experience, service, leadership, etc.) and corporate functions (finance, legal, HR, sales, marketing, compliance, etc.) across Marcus Hotels & Resorts and Marcus Corporation.
• Partner with senior leaders to identify capability gaps, workforce priorities, and strategic talent needs, aligning L&D with enterprise talent, culture, and performance initiatives.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, service excellence, and hospitality-driven leadership, serving as a champion of talent development and guest experience.
• Build differentiated learning pathways for frontline, operational, and corporate employees while strengthening leadership pipelines, succession planning, and internal mobility.
• Champion a unified culture grounded in Marcus values, while respecting business unit and brand differences and identities.
• Design and deliver an innovative portfolio of learning solutions (leadership development, service training, digital learning, coaching, experiential programs, etc.) to optimize leadership capability, operational consistency, and guest satisfaction.
• Lead development of an enterprise learning portfolio, including leadership/management development, service excellence, operational training, corporate skill-building, and digital/on-demand learning.
• Oversee training delivery across in-person, virtual, and e-learning platforms, ensuring scalability, consistency, brand alignment, and measurable business impact.
• Manage L&D budgeting, governance, and resource allocation, including enterprise Learning Management System (LMS) strategy, administration, optimization, segmentation, reporting, and user experience across business units.
• Evaluate and implement learning technologies and tools to improve accessibility, engagement, and measurement; continuously assess program effectiveness using data and insights.
• Provide leadership with regular reporting on capability development, leadership pipeline health, and readiness for growth, while acting as a trusted advisor and driving cross-functional L&D integration across operations and corporate teams.
• Other duties as assigned.

What we are looking for:

• 6-8+ years of related progressive Learning and Development experience
• Background in hospitality, restaurant, retail, or similar multi-unit environments highly preferred
• Strong knowledge of adult learning principles, diverse training methodologies, instructional design, corporate training, and curriculum development
• Excellent facilitation skills (in-person, virtual, and e-learning/LMS-based delivery)
• Experience administering a LMS;
  Schoox experience a plus
• Skilled in instructional design, including converting content to digital/e-learning formats
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and business writing skills (reports, manuals, training materials, etc.)
• Strategic thinker and advisor with ability to assess needs, solve problems, and recommend solutions
• Highly organized self-starter with attention to detail; able to multitask in fast-paced environments
• Proficient with learning technologies and business tools (LMS, HCMS, Microsoft Office, etc.)
• Ability to design engaging, visually effective training and presentation materials
• Willingness to travel 40–60% (air, car, train)

What's in it for you?

• Eligible for annual bonus and…