Department: People & Culture

Reports to: L&D Manager

Location: Remote with in-store support; travel required

Job Purpose / Summary

As a Learning and Development Specialist at JD Sports Canada, you are responsible for shaping the employee journey-from onboarding to ongoing development. You build, manage, and implement impactful learning resources that equip our teams to deliver excellence on the sales floor and behind the scenes. This role partners closely with key retail and corporate teams to support employee growth, drive performance, and ensure consistent brand training across the country.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and continuously improve onboarding programs for all new retail employees.
• Design, create, and distribute foundational training tools, guides, and resources.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Procurement, Property, HR, Recruitment, Store Operations, etc.) to align training initiatives with business needs.
• Partner with retail leadership to identify skill gaps and learning opportunities for current employees.
• Support New Store Openings (NSOs), including onboarding coordination and training program execution for full new hire teams.
• Facilitate learning experiences through digital platforms, in-person sessions, and hands-on training.
• Support leadership development by creating tools for succession planning and ongoing coaching.
• Track training participation and effectiveness using KPIs and feedback surveys.
• Ensure learning tools and communications are updated, brand-aligned, and accessible.
• Provide on-the-ground retail leadership support and store visits to coach and deliver training directly.
• Assist with the rollout of e-learning modules or LMS integrations.

Key Projects

• Onboarding program development and optimization
• Foundational training material for all store-level roles
• NSO training and onboarding programs
• Development of leadership support tools (e.g., 30/60/90 plans, 1-on-1 templates)

Roles Supported

• Store Managers
• Assistant Managers
• Back of House Managers & Coordinators
• Visual Managers
• Supervisors & Associates (Sales Floor and BOH)

Tools & Platforms

• Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, etc.)
• Microsoft (Word, Excel, Powerpoint etc.)
• Adobe (InDesign, Acrobat)
• Dayforce
• Canva (or other content creation tools)
• Learning Management System (Articulate)

Skills and Competencies

Soft Skills

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Organizational and time management excellence
• Problem-solving and adaptability
• Ability to build relationships across functions and levels
• Confidence in facilitation and public speaking
• Attention to detail and a proactive mindset
• Collaborative team player with a growth mindset

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft and Adobe
• Comfort with digital tools, learning platforms, and communication systems

Work Environment

• Remote-based with scheduled in-store support days
• National travel required, including store visits and New Store Openings

KPIs / Success Measures

• New hire turnover rate (30/60/90 day)
• Onboarding program satisfaction and feedback scores
• Completion rates for training modules or SOP delivery
• Timeliness of project completion (e.g., NSO readiness)
• Reduction in knowledge gaps (measured via manager feedback or assessments)