Learning & Development Director (Education)

Principle Auto
Learning & Development Director
Who You Are
You are a builder, a coach, and a performance driver. You don't just develop people--you empower them to deliver results. You see potential, set clear expectations, and hold teams accountable for growth. You thrive where culture meets strategy, turning training into measurable success. Whether mapping career paths, coaching leaders, or refining performance metrics, you bring passion, structure, and vision. At Principle Auto, we invest in people--and you're ready to lead the charge, ensuring every associate has the tools, knowledge, and accountability to thrive. If you love shaping careers, driving performance, and making an impact, this is where you belong.

Who We Are
Our Mission: We Live to Provide Exceptional Care.
Our Purpose: Helping People Live a Better Life
Simply put, we desire to change the automotive industry. We are in the business of building relationships and we want to ensure that we are there for our guests throughout their journey. We do this by hiring the Greatest People. We heavily invest in their growth and development with dozens of training programs through Principle University. Principle Auto understands the importance of taking care of its associates and maintaining the unique culture that fosters exceptional care for our guests. Our culture is found in our values.

What We Offer
As the Learning & Development Director, you'll play a key role in shaping the future of Principle Auto, working directly with leadership to build and refine training programs that drive associate success. This is a unique opportunity to develop a high-impact learning framework, influence company culture, and create measurable performance improvements across our organization.
We offer competitive compensation, paid time off, holidays, and a comprehensive benefits package--ensuring you have the support and flexibility to lead, innovate, and make a lasting impact on both our people and our business.

Our Values Are Our G-U-I-D-E

Great People- We hire people with heart. We care about each other, so caring for the customer comes naturally.
Unparalleled Service- We understand everyone defines great service differently and we aim to meet our guest needs individually and with complete focus.
Integrity- We never allow pressure to influence our guidance to guests or fellow associates. We are accountable to each other to do what is right.
Defining Excellence- We desire to be the best, changing constantly to the next environment. We have a burning need to learn and be a leader in our industry.
Enthusiasm- We aim to have fun every day. If it's not fun, we find a way to make it so. We are energetic, and our energy draws people to us.

Responsibilities of the Learning & Development Director:

The Learning & Development Director is responsible for building, implementing, and optimizing training and performance management programs that enhance associate growth, retention, and productivity. This role will lead the revitalization of Principle University, ensuring structured learning paths for key roles, including Client Advisors, ASMs, and Technicians. Beyond training, this position plays a critical role in performance management, partnering with leaders to set expectations, measure success, and drive continuous improvement.
The ideal candidate will create scalable learning strategies, leverage modern learning technologies, and ensure training programs align with business objectives. This role requires a balance of instructional design, coaching, leadership development, and performance tracking, working closely with executives, dealership managers, and associates. The Learning & Development Director will also evaluate the effectiveness of training initiatives through measurable KPIs, ensuring learning efforts directly contribute to the company's success.

Automotive Sales & Performance Optimization:

Deep understanding of automotive sales processes, including lead management, the Road to the Sale, and key dealership performance metrics (PVR, CSI, NPS, gross profit, closing ratios, etc.).
Hands-on experience in sales coaching, performance tracking, and improving dealership KPIs.
Knowledge of OEM training requirements and dealership compliance standards.

Training & Development Leadership:

Proven experience in developing structured learning paths and role-specific training that directly impacts sales and service performance.
Ability to create structured onboarding programs for Client Advisors, ASMs, and other key dealership roles.
Experience implementing in-store and virtual training solutions that align with operational goals.

Performance Management & Coaching:

Strong understanding of goal setting, performance tracking, and associate development within a dealership environment.
Ability to design and implement coaching frameworks for managers and associates to drive continuous improvement.
Skilled at identifying underperformance trends and implementing targeted coaching strategies to improve closing rates and customer satisfaction.
Experience in aligning training initiatives with business KPIs and operational goals.

Leadership & Influence:

Ability to work cross-functionally with executives, dealership managers, and associates to ensure training efforts support overall company objectives.
Skilled at gaining buy-in for training initiatives and fostering a culture of continuous learning and accountability.
Strong facilitation and presentation skills, with the ability to train, inspire, and motivate teams to peak performance.

Operational & Sales Technology Proficiency:

Hands-on experience with automotive CRM and sales tools (e.g., VinSolutions, Dealertrack, RouteOne, or similar platforms).
Comfortable utilizing data and reporting tools to track associate performance and adjust training strategies accordingly.
Experience working within a multi-rooftop dealership environment is a plus.

Change Management & Innovation:

Ability to evaluate and modernize existing training programs to enhance engagement and effectiveness.
Skilled at introducing new learning technologies and methodologies that drive engagement and ensure training remains relevant and impactful.

This role is not just about training--it's about driving performance. The right candidate will bring real-world automotive sales experience, a proven ability to develop top-performing teams, and a passion for creating a structured, results-driven learning culture that enhances both associate success and business outcomes.