Director, Leadership Development & Organizational Effectiveness

About the role

Help Build the Next Generation of Leaders at America's Diner

Responsibilities

• Build and execute Denny's people development strategy in partnership with senior People leadership.
• Create leadership development experiences for managers, emerging leaders, field leaders, and high-potential talent.
• Design and deliver practical tools that help leaders coach, communicate, develop talent, drive accountability, and lead through change.
• Strengthen manager effectiveness and leadership capability across the organization.
• Translate The Denny's Way into leadership behaviors, team routines, and development experiences that drive business results.
• Partner with Operations, HR, Communications, Field Leadership, and business leaders to build organizational capability.
• Support restaurant-facing leadership curriculum that improves execution, leadership readiness, and franchisee support.
• Develop onboarding, talent development, succession, and leadership readiness programs.
• Facilitate workshops, leadership sessions, retreats, onboarding experiences, and team development initiatives.
• Measure effectiveness and continuously improve programs based on feedback, adoption, and business impact.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in leadership development, organizational development, learning and development, talent development, or related fields.
• Experience building leadership or capability programs from the ground up.
• Strong facilitation and executive presence.
• Exceptional communication, instructional design, and content development skills.
• Ability to influence leaders and drive change without formal authority.
• Experience partnering with senior leaders and cross-functional teams.
• Restaurant, hospitality, retail, franchise, field-based, or multi-unit experience is highly preferred.

Qualifications

• Passionate about developing people, building capability, and creating lasting organizational impact.

Skills

• Leadership development
• Organizational development
• Learning and development
• Talent development

Benefits

• Opportunity to build meaningful work that impacts leaders, employees, franchisees, restaurants, and guests across the system.
• Direct involvement with senior leadership and influence on how leadership is defined and developed.
• Shape a culture that supports accountability, growth, service, and execution.

Pay

Negotiable

Schedule

Hybrid