Training & Development Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Salary:

Traverse City, Saginaw or Ann Arbor

Spence Brothers is a General Contractor, Construction Manager & Trades Subcontractor that is looking to fill a Training & Development position to support our organization.

The Training & Development Specialist will assess training needs, develop and facilitate employee training programs, and evaluate their effectiveness. Together with leadership, they will create training materials, coordinate sessions, and help align training with organizational goals to improve employee skills and performance. Key responsibilities include collaborating with leadership on identifying skill gaps and priorities, designing curriculum, administering training logistics, and tracking program success./

This role reports to the CEO. This role may be part time (20-29 hours/week) and can be performed in any of our offices - Traverse City, Saginaw or Ann Arbor.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary resource for employee training and development across the organization.
• Maintain knowledge of labor laws to ensure training and development programs support compliance.
• Demonstrate familiarity with, or willingness to learn, the unique needs, challenges, and demands of the construction industry and jobsite environments.

Training Needs Assessment

• Identify training needs primarily through leadership direction.
• Partner with Operations, Safety, Project Leadership, HR, and department managers to identify skill gaps.
• Conduct needs assessments using employee surveys, manager interviews, performance data analysis, and field observation.

Training Program Development

• Design, implement, and continuously improve training programs for field crews, project engineers, foremen, superintendents, project managers, leadership, and office staff.
• Collaborate with internal subject matter experts (SMEs) to develop engaging and effective training materials, including manuals, presentations, role-specific curricula, and e-learning content.
• Customize training content to reflect company processes, equipment, project types, and self-perform scopes.
• Support onboarding and orientation programs to ensure safety, productivity, and cultural alignment for new hires.

Training Delivery

• Facilitate training sessions using multiple delivery methods, including in-person, virtual, jobsite-based, workshops, presentations, team exercises, and e-learning platforms.
• Tailor training delivery to varying experience levels and roles.
• Spend time in the field and all 3 offices to understand jobsite realities and reinforce training effectiveness.

Leadership & Career Development

• Support development programs for foremen, superintendents, and emerging leaders.
• Assist in creating career pathways and competency frameworks for field, office and project-based roles.
• Coach supervisors on effective training, mentoring, and employee development practices.

Compliance & Safety Training

• Coordinate required compliance and safety training (OSHA, safety orientations, equipment certifications, etc.) in partnership with the Safety team.
• Track training completion, certifications, and documentation to support audits and regulatory requirements.

Training Administration & Evaluation

• Manage training logistics, including scheduling, equipment setup, enrollment tracking, costs, and learning materials.
• Maintain accurate training records, certifications, priorities, and a centralized learning library.
• Measure training effectiveness through participant feedback, performance indicators, and field observation.
• Recommend program improvements based on feedback and operational outcomes.

Collaboration & Reporting

• Collaborate with leadership, department managers, HR, Operations, and Safety to ensure training objectives align with business goals and company culture.
• Report on training activities, outcomes, certifications, and progress to management.
• Perform additional tasks or duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in training, workforce development, safety, or operations support is required
• Experience working within the construction industry is strongly preferred
• Strong understanding of construction environments
• Ability to communicate effectively with both field crews and management
• Comfortable delivering training in jobsite, classroom, and virtual settings
• Strong organizational and follow-through skills
• Experience supporting leadership or supervisor development
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong presentation and time management skills.
• Highly proficient with standard office software (e.g., Microsoft Office).
• Adept with a variety of training platforms and methods.
• Ability to design and implement effective training.
• Ability to convey complex information clearly.
• Adaptability and attention to detail.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to travel to various offices and job sites across the state of Michigan as needed to conduct field-based training which may include exposure to the element, loud noise, and uneven surfaces.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, paid holidays and paid time off, 401K with company match and ESOP. Eligibility varies depending on hours worked (part-time vs. full-time).

EEOC Statement

Spence Brothers is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

About the Company

Spence Brothers has built trust and important facilities that have helped our communities thrive for over 130 years. Our legacy continues as a trusted leader in Construction Management, Design/Build, and General Contracting services throughout Michigan. We are proud to build facilities that impact all parts of our community, ranging from small projects for non-profit organizations to large corporate facilities. Big or small, Spence Brothers is recognized far and wide for our commitment to quality and dependability by clients, subcontractors, and designers.