Learning and Development Associate Director

United Contractors (UCON) is looking for an experienced Learning and Development (LD) leader to spearhead the design and implementation of a new Professional Development program for both our contractor member companies and the broader construction industry across the state of California. This role will involve identifying and designing and implementing comprehensive learning frameworks focused on the construction industry from C-Suites to Field Leaders, with cutting-edge courses focused on the technical and the interpersonal skills needed for talent development and employee retention.

UCON is a high-impact trade association representing over 800 union-signatory construction and associated firms across California. We exist to empower, advocate for, and support California’s union contractors. We are relentlessly committed to serving the needs of our members while building the next generation of industry leaders.

Our Vision: To be the most trusted and transformational construction organization in the nation.

We view this role and it’s work to build and implement our LD programs to be integral part of achieving our vision.

UCON Values

Our values set us apart and fuel our work as individuals and as a team. We take them seriously. If you share these values, you’ll thrive here.

Authenticity: The courage to be unapologetically different, genuine and bold

Credibility: Unparalleled reliability, trust, and time-tested expertise

Compassion: Motivated by care, intention, and the desire to serve – we go beyond for our members

Integrity: Absolute accountability and transparent decision-making

Drive: We act with grit, urgency, and relentless determination

At UCON, we don’t do politics, egos, BS or bureaucracy.

If the values above feel like a description of who you are, and the mission feels motivating to you, you’ll fit right in and thrive at UCON and in this uniquely important role.

At UCON, your work has real, measurable and lasting impact. Our team culture is high performing and high trust. We invest in people who care deeply, move purposefully, and act boldly in service of others.

Here’s what you can expect:

• A smart, driven, and (mostly) humble team that respects and supports each other.
• A results driven group of individuals, from top to bottom, that genuinely enjoy their work and each other. We have fun along the way!
• Leadership that’s accessible, human, and genuinely invested in your success.
• Mission aligned, member focused work that drives real world change for our industry and our members.
• Competitive salary and benefits, a hybrid work environment, and a commitment to professional growth.

Position Overview

UCON is seeking an LD professional to design and continuously improve an education program that will become the gold standard across the construction industry. UCON is a leader in the industry, and its educational offerings are expected to be the same.

The number one need for our members and across the industry is Professional Development designed to retain and develop talent at every level. At UCON, we aim to build something remarkable for them, and we are looking for someone who is bold, driven and capable of taking on this initiative.

This program needs to serve our members’ needs and meet them where their leaders and employees are. This includes in person retreats and classes statewide, virtual webinars, and on demand courses that can be viewed anywhere from a board room to a pickup truck.

As UCON’s LD leader you will be asked to work with our member companies to identify what they need to get their teams to the next level. You will develop both individual courses and multiple module programs that offer individuals the opportunity to both learn new skills and information while increasing their expertise in areas they are already familiar with. Education will cover a wide range of topics including leadership and interpersonal skills as well as technical skills related to construction operations, execution, and compliance.

You will be tasked with implementing a new Learning Management System to allow users and their employers to easily select what courses are most relevant to them and track their progression and participation. You will need to ensure that the highest standards and quality are maintained in line with all of the other services UCON provides its members.

This role is NOT an administrative training coordinator or a passive content manager. The role is a leader who can create and execute a vision that directly impacts the value to our members and improves UCON’s credibility as a trusted resource in the industry.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning

• Conduct a structured Learning Needs Assessment (LNA) for our members oEvaluate UCON Member survey results and session feedback forms to identify member feedback trends and needs; update LNAs as appropriate
• Identify specific learning objectives and outcomes for LD offerings

Program Delivery and/or Design

• Identify and schedule internal and external LD instructors to address learning needs o Create and facilitate multi-modal learning solutions including in-person workshops, virtual sessions, and asynchronous learning
• Manage training vendors, onsite logistics and budgets, and program logistics for in person and virtual offerings oAdminister the operational execution of learning programs, including instructor coordination, scheduling, communications, and post program follow up.
• Develop and implement a shareable certification program

Data and Tracking

• Oversee implementation of a structured Learning Management System (LMS) to assign and track learning completion for both Members and Employees oCollect and analyze participation and completion data to assess effectiveness.
• Use available data to communicate the value and impact of externally-sourced LD offerings

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate for this role is a builder who enjoys owning meaningful work end to end and is motivated by service, credibility, and real world impact. You will thrive in this role if you:

• Have a strong foundation in adult learning and learning program design, and enjoy applying those principles in practical, real world settings.
• Are comfortable creating structure where it does not yet exist, and enjoy turning insights into action.
• Balance high standards for quality with the ability to move forward in imperfect, fast moving environments.
• Are comfortable staying close to both the strategy and the details.
• Have a high degree of emotional and social intelligence, and thrive in relationshipdriven, strategic environments.
• Are data literate and comfortable using participation data, feedback, and outcomes to improve programs and communicate value.
• Build trust easily with a wide range of stakeholders, including contractors, instructors, vendors, and internal leaders.
• Are a confident, solutionsoriented problem solver who can navigate the wide range of difficulties facing our member companies
• Are a strong communicator, both written and verbal, and can explain your thinking without overcomplicating it.
• Are highly selfdirected but collaborative, and comfortable operating in both autonomous and crossfunctional team settings.
• Bring knowledge of what makes an effective training program.
• Have a proven track record of the ability to create and deliver results across diverse stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience: at least 5 years of experience in LD.
• Experience working in construction, skilled trades, manufacturing, or another field based or operational environment is highly desirable, but not required.
• Hands on experience designing and delivering learning programs.
• Experience implementing or administering a learning management system, or playing a significant role in its rollout and ongoing use.
• Familiarity with adult learning frameworks and instructional design principles, and the ability to apply them pragmatically.
• Experience in a member based organization, association, or customer focused environment is a plus.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Education or equivalent
• Technical Skills: Extensive expertise in adult learning principles (e.g., ADDIE, 6 Ds), instructional design, and elearning authoring tools (e.g., Articulate 360, Captivate); experience in LMS and Microsoft suite of tools
• Soft Skills: Exceptional presentation, communication and project management skills are essential for this role
• Certifications: Professional credentials such as ATD’s CPTD (Certified Professional in Talent Development) are highly valued

A Good Fit for UCON:

• You are comfortable rolling up your sleeves and doing the work, especially during busy program cycles.
• You enjoy working with and on behalf of a diverse group of successoriented individuals in the construction industry: hardworkers, earlyrisers, entrepreneurs, risktakers, selfmotivated individuals in a highly competitive environment who want to grow themselves, their careers, and their companies.
• You respect rigor and preparation, but do not get stuck in over analysis.
• You bring confidence without arrogance and structure without rigidity.
• You value authenticity, credibility, compassion, integrity, and drive, and expect the same from the people you work with.
• This role is best suited for someone who enjoys being close to the work and actively building programs, rather than operating solely in a high level governance or advisory capacity.

Pay Range: $100,000 - $140,000

UCON values diversity and is looking for extraordinary employees of all backgrounds! We are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer.

Please include with your resume a brief statement of interest. In your statement, tell us why this role, and UCON, feels like the right fit for you. Include what you see as your unique superpowers that make you a great potential fit for UCON and this important role.

About United Contractors

United Contractors (UCON) is a dynamic not-for-profit trade association that serves union affiliated civil engineering construction companies throughout California by being an instrumental partner in Labor Relations and collective bargaining, Legislative Advocacy for the industry, and by providing Networking and Professional Development opportunities for our members. We strive to be the absolute best at what we do, in all areas of service and are driven by a desire to meet and exceed our members' expectations. We are relentless in our pursuit of growing and improving, and demonstrate genuine care and compassion for our members and their teams. Our organization offers every member a seat at the table and a voice, no matter how small. Our team is a small but mighty group of passionate individuals driven by the desire to do impactful work to elevate the Association and its members. Much like our membership, no role in UCON is without a voice that is valued.