Leadership role
Chief Learning Officer
Directs an organization's learning programs, whether staff training and development or academic learning.
Reporting and scope
Reports to the Executive Director / CEO or the Chief Human Resources executive when the focus is staff, or to the CEO or Provost / Academic VP when the focus is learners served. Authority covers learning design and delivery across the organization.
Core responsibilities
- Sets the learning strategy for staff, volunteers or program participants
- Oversees curriculum design, online platforms and trainers
- Runs leadership development and succession programs
- Measures learning outcomes and reports them to funders or the board
- Meets training requirements set by licensing bodies or government contracts
- Partners with program leaders on professional certifications
How it differs
The Training Director runs training operations at a lower level. The Chief Human Resources executive owns the full people function, and the Academic Director leads a school's curriculum.
By organization size
The title is found mainly in large nonprofits, health systems and education organizations. Smaller organizations place training within HR or programs.
Filings from the last five years mapped to this role commonly report titles such as: Chief Learning Officer; Chief Learning & Engagement Officer; Chief Learning & Innovation Officer; Chief Learning Off; Interim Chief Learning Officer; SVP, Chief Learning Officer