Learning Programs Manager

At SPARC, we understand the profound impact stories and messages have on pet families and communities. Our work transforms narratives to spark compassion and action for pets and people.

The Learning Programs Manager will play an integral role in developing, managing, and implementing SPARC’s growing suite of learning and training opportunities. You will help build new training platforms and learning spaces, while managing the day-to-day of delivering powerful workshops, courses, and presentations. This role also oversees SPARC’s growing, engaged Community of Practice, and will continue to support the community by facilitating meaningful spaces for learning and championing better narratives. We’re looking for someone who understands how to create powerful learning experiences, loves connecting with people, and never stops looking for ways to provide better and more meaningful support.

The right candidate will recognize and respect the love and deep connections between pets and people from all backgrounds, experiences, and identities. You will be excited to launch ideas from scratch and have the creativity and energy to ensure they flourish.

The Learning Programs Manager is a new position that will play a vital role in helping SPARC achieve our mission. You will work remotely (within the United States), with some travel expected (~15%), and report directly to the Executive Director.

‍

Primary Responsibilities

Training Programs

• Build and launch SPARC’s new online learning opportunities.
• Lead development of the new curriculum, ensuring it meets the needs of different audiences and platforms.
• Be an effective and engaging presenter for both in-person and online workshops, training, and other speaking opportunities.
• Manage updates to existing curriculum to meet the growing needs of the field and SPARC’s additional training opportunities.
• Manage the delivery of in-person workshops from audience assessment to curriculum design, to facilitation.
• Oversee the ongoing delivery of high-quality, meaningful learning experiences across all platforms and contexts: in-person, online, conferences, etc.
• Ensure SPARC training - whether online or in-person - is powerful, relevant, and delivers on promised learning outcomes.
• Create spaces for animal care and well-being practitioners to learn, grow, and feel supported. (Practitioners include: staff and volunteers at animal shelters, rescue groups, municipal animal services, veterinary clinics, community organizations, neighborhood networks, national nonprofits, and people caring for pets in communities)

Community of Practice (CoP)

• Manage, facilitate, and continue to grow SPARC’s Community of Practice (CoP).
• Co-host and facilitate online (and possibly some in-person) training, events, and meetups.
• Manage the day-to-day logistics of the community, including regular communications and connections with CoP members
• Ensure there are mechanisms for accountability and responsibility that support a community environment of trust, curiosity, and connection.

Community Building

• Contribute to the creation of digital content as needed to expand SPARC’s community of supporters and practitioners.
• Deliver workshops and presentations at conferences and other events.
• Network and build meaningful connections with people across the animal care and well-being field, especially: animal shelters (private and municipal), rescues, and clinics.  

Strategy Development

• Co-create SPARC’s training and community strategies in collaboration with the Executive Director and team.
• Iteratively manage annual plans to meet desired outcomes and fulfill long-term impact goals.
• Contribute to institutional knowledge around narrative change and social science.  
• Stay up-to-date on ongoing and rapidly developing trends in animal sheltering and rescue, the human-animal bond, and animal care and well-being.

Learning & Adaptation

• Implement assessment frameworks to continuously adapt and improve learning programs and community activities.
• Regularly assess training and CoP progress towards program and institutional goals and make necessary adjustments.

Team Collaboration

• Be a powerful resource for SPARC’s core principles of narrative change, and represent SPARC at in-person and virtual events as needed.  
• Support team members in various SPARC efforts including the review of new tools, guidance, and other materials.
• Connect with participants to gather stories, insights, and other content to support marketing and communications efforts.

Experience

• A track-record of creating workshops and training that deeply engage audiences and result in real, meaningful impacts.
• Substantial hands-on knowledge of creating participant engagement across online and in-person formats..
• Facilitating groups of individuals in ways that are lively, achieve needed outcomes, and effectively navigate challenging situations and topics.
• Tech savvy and an ability to build and navigate content across various online platforms.
• Direct experience working in the animal care and well-being field, especially animal shelters (private or municipal; of any size or geographic location)

Qualifications

• Passion for the well-being of animals and people, and a commitment to approaching people and issues with respect, empathy, and patience.
• Solid understanding of the animal care and well-being sector and knowledge of current animal welfare and sheltering issues.
• Ability to create inclusive and accessible learning environments for virtual and in-person participants.
• Strong communication skills that include deep, active listening and expressing complex ideas and concepts concisely and clearly to different audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills; successful experience in working with diverse people of varying age, socioeconomic background, race, ethnicity, gender, and identity.
• Committed to learning, adapting, and growing both as an individual and as part of a community.
• Maintain confidentiality, discretion, integrity, and professionalism in day-to-day and challenging situations.

‍

What to expect when working for SPARC

SPARC is a rising 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. We are fueled by innovation, creativity, and compassion. Be prepared to dive into the beginning stages of a project and play a key role in bringing it to fruition. We care about animals and people together, geek out on narrative change, and work hard to make our work the best it can be.

Connecting with people and centering dignity are the bedrock of how we operate. Our might comes from tapping into the wisdom and insights of a broad network of individuals - our growing Community of Practice, people across the animal care field, supporting partners, contractors, colleagues, and our Board. We are professional and serious about getting things done, but we like to laugh and we understand real life - sometimes cats walk across our screens, dogs bark in the background, and children pop into meetings.

Creating a healthy, supportive environment for people is something we take seriously. We are focused on a work culture that values individuals, approaches people and issues with integrity, and creates spaces for us to achieve our best work together. Through our regular work habits, team culture, and benefits package, we strive to cultivate a space where you can be successful and well.  

‍

SPARC Statement on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Inclusion is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation at SPARC. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich our team and allow us to achieve SPARC’s mission. We are committed to excellence in messaging, learning, and research as inextricably linked to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.

‍

Salary and Benefits

$85,000 annual

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, health coverage through an ICHRA which includes a monthly tax-free stipend ($700/individual; $1500 family) for health/dental/vision insurance, 403b retirement plan with a 3% employer match, flexible work hours, and ability to work from home.  

‍

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

SPARC is an equal-opportunity employer. We aim to employ people with many different experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds who share our passion for accomplishing as much good as possible. We are committed to creating an environment where all employees have the opportunity to succeed. We do not discriminate based on race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any other legally protected category prohibited by local, state, or federal laws.

‍

How to Apply

Send your resume and cover letter (500 words or less) as PDFs to opportunity@sparcinsight.org.

In your cover letter, tell us about one of the best workshops or trainings you’ve led. What was it about, and why do you consider it one of your best?

We will be accepting applications until September 21st, 2026 @ 11:59pm EST.

‍

Compliance with Federal law

SPARC is unable to sponsor employment visas. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. SPARC participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For up-to-date information on E-Verify, visit www.uscis.gov and click on the 'E-Verify' logo". You can view the required posters here and here.

‍