Director of Learning and Development

About Pressed Cafe

Pressed Cafe is a rapidly expanding premium quick-casual dining brand known for its Mediterranean-inspired menu featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients and complemented by quality coffee and attentive service. As a founder-led organization, we deeply value hospitality, culture, and delivering outstanding guest experiences, with a focus on excellence in growth through team development.

Position Overview

We are seeking an innovative, proactive Director of Learning and Development to spearhead the creation of a top-tier educational culture within both our restaurant locations and corporate teams. This leadership role is responsible for crafting and executing an enterprise-wide learning strategy aimed at operational consistency, leadership development, and workforce engagement, alongside designing and implementing our inaugural Learning Management System (LMS), named Echo360.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a sustainable learning and development framework that aligns with Pressed Cafe's business objectives and expansion plans.
• Collaborate with leaders across departments to ensure training fosters performance standards, consistency, and cultural alignment throughout all venues.
• Lead training programs for new restaurant launches ensuring teams are comprehensively prepared from the outset.
• Design dynamic training experiences using various modalities including self-directed, instructor-led, mixed, and collaborative learning approaches.
• Drive innovation by integrating artificial intelligence and gamification techniques to personalize learning journeys.
• Evaluate, select, and maintain a modern LMS system that meets evolving training requirements and enhances employee engagement.
• Identify skill shortages and develop leadership and succession planning programs to cultivate future talent.
• Embed learning initiatives into core talent processes such as onboarding, performance management, and individual development planning.
• Champion a culture focused on curiosity, continuous learning, and adaptability; lead organizational change efforts in adopting new systems and methods.
• Create and track metrics to evaluate training effectiveness, employee adoption rates, and business outcomes, refining programs based on data insights.

Candidate Qualifications

• A minimum of seven years’ experience in Learning & Development, Talent Management, or Operations, preferably within multi-unit restaurant or hospitality sectors.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and scaling impactful training initiatives that align with organizational goals.
• Deep knowledge of adult learning theories, change management, and current learning technologies.
• Hands-on experience with AI-powered educational tools, digital platforms, and analytical reporting.
• Strategic thinker capable of influencing all organizational levels and executing plans effectively.
• Exceptional skills in communication, facilitation, and storytelling.
• Strong dedication to cultivating people, establishing systems, and enhancing company culture from inception.
• Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• Experience working within founder-led or privately owned companies is advantageous.

Indicators of Success

• Successful deployment and widespread adoption of the first-generation LMS, Echo360, catering to every role and location.
• New restaurant openings delivered with consistent, high-retention training methodologies.
• Established leadership development pipeline with clear succession strategies for critical positions.
• Effective integration of learning across onboarding, appraisal, and career advancement processes company-wide.
• Quantifiable data demonstrating the positive effects of training on operations, employee engagement, and retention.
• Development of a scalable learning-oriented culture matching the pace of organizational growth.

Additional Information

This role is primarily based in Nashua, New Hampshire, with frequent travel expected to support restaurant openings and training implementations across all locations. Compensation includes a competitive base salary complemented by performance bonuses, benchmarked according to experience. Pressed Cafe is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination based on legally protected characteristics.