Manager, Instructional Design

Summary

The Manager, Instructional Design leads the design and development of SHRM’s learning products and experiences, ensuring they advance SHRM’s mission to elevate the HR profession, HR professionals, and the human in business. This role manages and develops instructional design talent, establishes standards and priorities for the team, and ensures the consistent delivery of high-quality, innovative learning solutions.

Using instructional design methodologies, adult learning principles, and emerging learning technologies, the Manager, Instructional Design oversees the development of synchronous, asynchronous, virtual, in-person, and hybrid learning experiences for SHRM’s workforce and external audiences across career levels.

Responsibilities

•  Lead, coach, and develop a team of instructional design professionals, setting clear expectations, priorities, and performance standards.
• Oversee the analysis, design, development, and continuous improvement of SHRM learning products and experiences.
• Establish instructional design standards, methodologies, and quality expectations to ensure consistency and effectiveness across learning products.
• Manage team capacity, project assignments, timelines, and competing priorities to ensure successful and timely and on-budget delivery.
• Provide direction and quality assurance on complex or high-profile learning initiatives.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and business stakeholders.
• Develop and oversee a scalable network of external partners, vendors, and subject matter experts to expand delivery capacity, improve efficiency, and support the quality and growth of professional development offerings.
• Partner cross-functionally to identify learning needs, translate business requirements into effective solutions, and support enterprise initiatives and SHRM events.
• Ensure learning products and tools meet WCAG 2.2 Level AA accessibility standards.
• Oversee regular reviews and audits of SHRM learning programs to identify opportunities for updates, redesign, and improvement.
• Evaluate emerging instructional design, Talent & Development, AI, and learning technology trends and determines where new approaches should be incorporated into SHRM’s learning strategy.
• Use learner feedback, performance data, and business outcomes to assess effectiveness and continuously improve learning solutions.

Education & Experience Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Instructional Systems Design, Learning & Development, Education, or a related field preferred or relevant experience in lieu of degree.   
• Master’s degree in Instructional Systems Design, Learning Technology, or a related discipline preferred.

Experience

• Seven (7) or more years of progressive instructional design or learning and development experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading, coaching, or managing instructional design or learning professionals.
• Experience managing multiple learning initiatives, resources, and competing priorities.
• Knowledge of or experience within the HR profession preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, Articulate 360, and related learning technologies.

Certifications

• Instructional design or learning technology certification preferred.
• SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong people leadership, coaching, and performance management capabilities.
• Ability to translate business priorities and learning needs into scalable learning solutions.
• Strong knowledge of instructional design methodologies and adult learning principles.
• Demonstrated project and portfolio management skills.
• Strong judgment with the ability to prioritize work, allocate resources, and manage competing demands.
• Ability to influence and collaborate effectively with SMEs, leaders, and cross-functional partners.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Strong attention to detail while maintaining a broader strategic and business perspective.
• Knowledge of emerging learning technologies, including AI-enabled approaches to learning design and development. Ability to effectively leverage artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies to streamline workflows, enhance productivity, and improve overall work quality.

Physical Requirements

This position operates in a typical office environment (which includes a home office setting) and requires the ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. Physical requirements may include:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, handling documents, and using office equipment.
• Occasional standing, walking, bending, and reaching.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds as needed.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills for effective interaction with colleagues and stakeholders.

Work Environment

Hybrid Schedule (3 Days In-Office/2 Days Remote)

This position follows a hybrid work schedule, with Tuesday through Thursday in office and Monday and Friday remote.  Employees must be available during standard business hours, with core hours beginning between 8:00–9:00 a.m. and concluding between 5:00–6:00 p.m. local time.

Travel: Occasional 0 – 10%

#LI

The hiring range for this position is $105,000 to $130,000 per year. This range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on the candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications. SHRM offers a competitive and comprehensive total rewards package. The benefits for this position include professional growth and development, health, dental, vision, well-being, health savings, flexible spending, retirement, open leave, and annual discretionary bonus and incentives.