About us

Rural King is America’s Farm and Home Store, providing essentials to the communities we serve. With a wide array of necessities ranging from food and feed to farm and home products, Rural King serves over 140 locations across 14 states and is constantly expanding. Our annual sales exceed $2.5 Billion, and our heart beats in Mattoon, IL, home to our corporate office, distribution center, and flagship store.

One thing our customers appreciate is our unique shopping experience, complete with complimentary popcorn and coffee. It's just one way we show our appreciation for their support.

At Rural King, we value our associates and strive to create a positive, rewarding workplace. We offer growth opportunities, competitive benefits, and a people-first environment where dedicated individuals come together to serve rural communities passionately. Join us, and you'll find not just a job but a chance to grow professionally, contribute meaningfully, and make a difference in the lives of those we serve.

How we reward you

401(k) plan that provides a 100% match on the first 3% of your contributions and 50% of the next 2%

Healthcare plans to support your needs

Virtual doctor visits

Access to Centers of Excellence with Barnes Jewish Hospital and Mayo Clinic’s Complex Care Program

15% Associate Discount

Dave Ramsey’s SmartDollar Program

Associate Assistance Program

RK Cares Associate Hardship Program

24/7 Chaplaincy Services

Company paid YMCA Family Membership

What You’ll do

As the Director of Talent Development, you will design and lead strategies that build capabilities, accelerate associate growth, and enhance performance across all levels of Rural King. You’ll drive a culture of continuous learning and career development in alignment with our mission to serve our communities and customers through hard work. This role blends strategic vision with hands-on execution to strengthen our training programs and support high-performing teams in a fast-paced retail environment.

• Lead the Talent Development Strategy: Build and execute companywide programs that support associate development, onboarding, upskilling, internal mobility, and succession planning.
• Grow Leadership at All Levels: Develop core and advanced leadership learning experiences—from frontline associates to senior leaders—that reflect Rural King’s values and performance expectations.
• Coach and Consult: Act as a trusted advisor to leaders across the business, providing guidance on talent planning, associate engagement, and growth pathways.
• Align Learning to Business Outcomes: Partner with key stakeholders to identify capability gaps and create impactful development solutions that drive performance and support strategic goals.
• Lead a High-Performing Team: Oversee and develop a team of learning and development professionals to deliver scalable, engaging, and measurable learning solutions.
• Enable a Learning Culture: Promote a mindset of curiosity, feedback, and growth through tools, programs, and recognition that make learning a natural part of the Rural King experience.
• Drive Succession Planning: Support robust 9-box talent calibration and follow-through on development plans that strengthen our leadership bench.
• Leverage Tools and Tech: Select and manage learning platforms, content tools, and talent development systems to enhance delivery, tracking, and reporting.
• Measure Impact: Establish KPIs and feedback loops to evaluate the effectiveness and ROI of development programs.
• Lead associates in a way that exemplifies the leadership principles taught in Rural King’s Thrive Leadership Program.
• Use discretion and independent judgment in daily decisions while maintaining a high level of confidentiality and professionalism.
• Actively participate in learning initiatives offered such as training programs, workshops, and webinars. Leverage these opportunities to acquire new knowledge, refine existing skills, and stay current on the latest developments.
• Provide friendly, proactive, and professional internal and external support to others, assisting with inquiries, concerns, and issues promptly and effectively.
• Demonstrate behaviors that exemplify Rural King’s Values: People First, Integrity, Attitude, Initiative, Teamwork, Accountability, and Continuous Improvement.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Yes

Essential Qualities for Success

• At least 7 years of progressive leadership experience in talent development, learning and development, or organizational effectiveness; experience in retail or a similar fast-paced industry preferred. Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business, or a related field preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Experience with tools like 9-box, succession planning software, LMS platforms, and behavioral assessments.
• Skilled in instructional design, adult learning, and facilitation.
• Proven track record of building and scaling development programs that drive measurable business and people outcomes.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence and partner at all levels.
• Excellent verbal and written interpersonal and communication.
• Proven experience in effectively supervising and leading a diverse team, guiding them toward achieving department goals and objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor, coach, and develop associates, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and maintain a high level of attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to work efficiently and effectively under time constraints, ensuring timely completion of tasks and projects.

Physical Requirements  

• Ability to maintain a seated or standing position for extended durations.
• Capability to lift 10 pounds periodically.
• Able to navigate and access all facilities.
• Skill to effectively communicate verbally with others, both in-person and via electronic devices.
• Close vision for computer-related tasks.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

The pay range for this position is $100,000- $150,000 annualized and is bonus eligible. Exact compensation is determined by factors such as relevant geographic location, education, certifications, experience, job level, shift, and organizational needs. To learn more about our benefits, review here https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:14539c15-191a-4b77-9c13-f6ccfce10094.