Skills you need to be a learning and development manager
9 skills a hiring manager would actually test for, each with the level this role expects and what it is used for. Not a syllabus — the shape of the job.
Build my path to this roleUpskili checks what you can already do, then sequences only what is missing. No account needed.
What the role requires
Ordered by how much the job depends on it. The bar is the proficiency expected of a competent learning and development manager — not mastery, and not a passing acquaintance.
-
Training Needs Analysis
Essential
Identifies skill gaps across departments to design targeted learning interventions.
Strong -
Instructional Design
Essential
Creates effective, engaging learning materials and curricula for diverse audiences.
Strong -
Learning Management Systems (LMS)
Essential
Administers, tracks, and reports on all company-wide training programs.
Strong -
Stakeholder Management
Essential
Partners with department heads to align L&D initiatives with business goals.
Strong -
Facilitation
Important
Delivers in-person and virtual training sessions with high engagement.
Strong -
Program Evaluation
Important
Measures training impact using Kirkpatrick model and ROI analysis.
Strong -
E-learning Authoring Tools
Important
Builds interactive digital courses using tools like Articulate 360 or Captivate.
Working -
Performance Consulting
Useful
Diagnoses root causes of performance issues beyond just training gaps.
Working -
Budget Management
Useful
Manages the L&D budget, vendor contracts, and resource allocation.
Working
An order worth learning it in
A list of ten skills is the same unhelpful answer a catalogue gives, just sorted. This is where to actually start.
Start here
Essential to the role, and reachable from a standing start. Everything below rests on these.
- Instructional Design
- Learning Management Systems (LMS)
- Facilitation
- Program Evaluation
- E-learning Authoring Tools
Then this
The rest of what the role is assessed on. Harder, and it builds on the foundation above.
- Training Needs Analysis
- Stakeholder Management
What sets you apart
Not what gets you hired, but what separates doing the job from being trusted with it.
- Performance Consulting
- Budget Management
You almost certainly have some of this already.
That is the point of starting from the role rather than a course. Upskili checks what you can do, then builds a path across only the gap.
See my path to learning and development manager