First-level managers are increasingly held accountable for the training and development of their team members. In order to explore how this HRD responsibility is executed, HRD officers of 23 innovative companies were interviewed. Delegation of HRD responsibility to first-level managers turns out to be a feasible option, providing certain conditions are met. Three distinct HRD roles of first-level managers can be observed: an analytic role, a supportive role and a trainer role.