Learning & Development Manager

About Forge

Forge, a member of Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services, is a gene therapy development engine, focused on enabling access to life changing gene therapies and helping bring them from idea into reality. We partner with innovators in the gene therapy community: scientists, physicians, biotech/pharma companies, and patient groups. We bring expertise in gene therapy manufacturing and therapeutics development to the table, helping to champion teams that are navigating the long road from the lab bench to the bedside. Our goal is simple but vital to patients living with disease, and we take it seriously. With a patient-first approach, we are forging new models for working together to better accelerate these transformative medicines to reach those who need them the most.

Forge is based in Columbus, Ohio, in a 200,000 square foot facility known affectionately by team members as, the Hearth. The Hearth, is a custom-designed cGMP facility dedicated to AAV manufacturing and hosts scalable, end-to-end manufacturing services.

About The Role:

We are currently seeking a Learning & Development (L&D) Manager to join the Forge Biologics team. The Learning & Development (L&D) Manager will be responsible for designing, implementing, and managing employee and manager development programs that support business growth and individual performance. This role will lead initiatives related to new hire orientation, career development, skills training, and workforce development to enhance capabilities across the organization.

What You'll Do:

Develop and execute a comprehensive learning strategy aligned to company goals and talent needs.

Orientation & Onboarding: Design, deliver, and manage a consistent, engaging new hire orientation experience that reinforces company culture and values from day one, including onboarding content and 30-60-90-day integration plans, in partnership with the People Team.

Manager Development: Design, deliver, and manage programs that build core leadership capabilities, including new manager onboarding, coaching, feedback, and leading performance.

Employee Development: Design, deliver, and manage learning experiences that build core behavioral skills, technical competencies, and role-specific capabilities. Align development efforts with the company’s career leveling framework to support career progression and internal mobility.

Workforce Development: Collaborate with Talent Acquisition, HRBPs, and department leaders to assess skill needs and build programs that support reskilling, upskilling, and future capabilities. Support career mobility and readiness through initiatives like career pathing, internal mobility, and succession planning. Engage with external partners, such as academic institutions, workforce boards, and industry organizations, to build pipelines for critical roles, support early-career talent, and align with regional workforce strategies.

Support in the planning and execution of workforce development programs, initiatives and events.

Partner with the Technical Training (GMP) team to align on role-specific training needs, support cross-functional development initiatives, and collaborate on programs and projects that integrate both compliance-driven and professional skill-building components.

In partnership with HRBPs, identify and address skill gaps across the organization through data analysis, manager feedback, and employee assessments. Recommend and implement targeted solutions such as stretch assignments, mentoring, and special projects. Promote best practices for development, including blended learning, peer-to-peer learning, and just-in-time training approaches.

Build learning content using internal and external tools (e-learning, workshops, job aids).

Evaluate program effectiveness through feedback, assessments, and business impact metrics.

Maintain a strong vendor network for external learning content, platforms, and trainers.

Manage the company’s LMS or other learning platforms.

What You'll Bring:

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Education, Organizational Development, or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will also be considered.

5+ years of experience in L&D or Talent Development, with a focus on adult learning and manager enablement.

Prior experience within the life science, biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry is strongly preferred.

Strong facilitation, instructional design, and project management skills.

Experience implementing scalable learning programs and leveraging learning systems.

Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.

Developed and delivered engaging presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint to communicate complex information to a diverse audience.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

This position works in a typical office environment where the physical work demands will vary depending on the specific tasks and duties required of the job. This is largely a sedentary role; persons holding office positions are generally subject to inside environmental conditions having the lighting, temperature, and noise of an open floor-plan office environment. Regularly operate a computer and other office equipment. Regularly communicate with others in person, over the phone, and electronically. Must be able to move and/or carry objects weighing up to 10 lbs.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned.

Forge Biologics is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workforce. Forge Biologics, provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Life at Forge

We are a team of diverse, driven and passionate people working together to trailblaze a new model for how we make medicines to treat patients with genetic diseases. Our team members use their creativity and talent to invent new solutions, meet new demands, and offer the most effective services in the industry. Forge’s core values lay the foundation for H.O.P.E. It provides us a common purpose that we all understand, work towards and live by.

HARDWORKING - We work hard and smart, making a persistent and determined effort toward success. Working hard, with focus and desire is the key.

OPEN - We strive to be approachable, actively listen and encourage others to contribute and speak up. We positively offer and receive constructive feedback.

PURPOSE DRIVEN - We are passionate about working towards and delivering on our mission to manufacture gene therapies.

ENGAGED - We are fully absorbed by and enthusiastic about our work and take positive action to further Forge’s vision, mission and goals.

We’ve Got You Covered

We take the health and happiness of our employees seriously and are consistently evaluating new ways to make our benefits truly UnFORGEttable.

Health, Dental, and Vision insurance that starts on your first day at Forge, with 90% of premiums covered for team members as well as dependents

Competitive paid time off plan

Annual bonus for all full-time employees

401(K) company match

Fully-stocked kitchen with free food/drinks

12 weeks of paid parental leave - additional discount programs include childcare support & dependent care

Employee Assistance Program

Wellness benefits (financial planning services, mental health counseling, employer paid disability)

Onsite fitness facility

Professional & Personal development resources