Training and Engagement Manager

Position Summary:

Are you a dynamic and motivated professional, experienced in driving both training and employee engagement? If so, Democracy Forward Foundation needs you. We are seeking a creative, self-starter with strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills to join our People and Culture team. This role will lead initiatives that strengthen our culture of continuous learning and engagement by developing training programs, fostering organizational connection, and partnering with leadership to cultivate a positive and inclusive workplace experience.

This position is full-time. Democracy Forward’s office is located in Washington, DC. While this position offers flexibility to work remotely, it requires regular in-office presence eight (8) times per month (averaging about 2–3 times per week) to effectively support the nature of the role, as well as flexibility to be in person for additional training or engagement activities as required.

This position will report to the Director of People and Culture and work collaboratively across all staff and departments.

Key Responsibilities:

Training & Development:

• Collaborate with the Director of People and Culture to ensure compliance with state-required training mandates, including anti-harassment, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and workplace safety.
• Conduct organizational training needs assessments to identify opportunities for growth and partner with leadership to prioritize and address those needs.
• Partner with leaders and subject matter experts to design and implement training programs that support professional development and align with organizational goals.
• Work with the Managing Attorney and Deputy Managing Attorney to support legal staff in developing and tracking Continuing Legal Education (CLE) requirements.
• Coordinate external consultants for specialized learning opportunities and oversee all vendor and contract management related to training initiatives.
• Assist with enhancing the onboarding experience for new staff and managers.
• Support manager development through targeted trainings, coaching sessions, and creation of resources that strengthen leadership and people management skills.
• Monitor and evaluate training outcomes, ensuring programs advance organizational priorities and contribute to a culture of growth and accountability.
• Explore and recommend systems or tools to streamline training tracking, participation, and accessibility.

Engagement & Culture:

• Partner with leadership and the People and Culture team to design and recommend initiatives that strengthen engagement, connection, and belonging across teams.
• Curate and implement organization-wide engagement opportunities, including cultural and educational observances, in ways that reflect our values and promote inclusivity.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop and share communications that celebrate staff contributions, promote organizational events, and reinforce community.
• Maintain an annual engagement and training calendar to ensure proactive planning, coordination, and communication of initiatives.
• Serve as a thought partner to leadership in identifying new strategies and creative approaches to enhancing the employee experience and organizational culture.
• Stay current on trends and best practices in employee engagement, recognition, and culture-building to inform and evolve organizational initiatives.

Qualifications:

We recognize that strong candidates may not meet 100% of the qualifications listed. If you believe you can contribute meaningfully to our team, we encourage you to apply.

• 5+ years of work experience in professional training, learning and development, and/or employee engagement.
• Demonstrated experience designing and facilitating effective training or culture-building programs.
• Proven ability to partner with stakeholders to identify opportunities, define initiatives, and implement programs that foster engagement and development.
• Strong project management, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Creative thinker with the ability to connect training and engagement initiatives to organizational goals and values.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and justice within the workplace.
• Experience in human resources or organizational development is a plus.
• Must demonstrate a commitment to Democracy Forward’s mission of advancing democratic values and achieving social progress.

The salary range for this position is $95,000-$115,000 plus excellent benefits. Compensation is commensurate with experience. 

Democracy Forward is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals. We strongly encourage people of color; LGBTQIA+ people; women; people with disabilities; and veterans to apply. Please note that all lawyer positions require a law degree and active membership in the bar of a state or the District of Columbia. 

Not sure you meet all of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement.  If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are new to mission-based legal and policy work, returning to work after a gap in employment, or simply looking to transition or take the next step in your career path, we welcome the opportunity to have you on our radar.  Please include in your cover letter the nature of your interest in legal and policy work promoting democracy and progress and what you hope to bring to our team and the role for which you are applying.