Sr. Learning Experience Designer

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Description

The Senior Learning Experience Designer (SLXD) is the crucial member of the Product Development Content (PDC) team and is an expert that sets standards and best practices for designing innovative world class, compelling, uncomplicated, scalable learning solutions, as well as providing mentoring and guidance within the PDC team and to other partners (product management stakeholders, etc.). The SLXD is a change agent that understands learning design methodology, learner persona learning preferences, and content needs to act as the subject matter expert for the team, product management, and DDI. They provide support for the team and others by increasing their knowledge and closing knowledge gaps. The SLXD is responsible for high-level planning, mentoring junior staff, and setting the standards for instructional design practices within the organization.

A SLXD is a subject matter expert of learning design, adept at applying learning design principles to create innovative and engaging, effective learning experiences that drive behavioral change. A successful SLXD, in this fast-paced environment, is skilled in identifying the needs of learners, designing content that is both accessible and impactful, and evaluating the success of content. With a keen eye for detail a SLXD crafts experiences that facilitate learning for diverse audiences, often leveraging technology to enhance the learning process and drive behavioral change. The SLXD's role is pivotal in shaping the way knowledge is conveyed and absorbed, ensuring that instruction is not only informative but also transformative. The role is a fusion of creative design, expertise, and business and technical acumen, aimed at delivering innovative and accessible learning solutions. This is a hands-on role on a small team: you will be expected to contribute to live projects quickly, not only to set standards.

A SLXD partners with product management stakeholders to research trends and topics that inform the creation or redesign of learning experiences. The SLXD creates the standards, best practices, and documentation for content creation (classroom, virtual, e-learning, assets, AI, video) that include all aspects of the instructional design process and content creation (i.e., high-level design documents, storyboards, facilitator notes, scripts) based on industry trends, competitive analysis, organizational data, content performance data, etc.

A SLXD creates and presents the business case for the adoption of design principles, based on industry and competitive analysis, and existing content performance data to product management and the Director of Content Innovation and Leadership Development.

A SLXD also researches new design principles and creates prototypes to inform solution advancements, standards, and best practices. In some cases, the SLXD may be asked to participate in other aspects of the design and development process, or special projects. This role is full-time and has the potential for growth based on performance and motivation.

Responsibilities

AI and Innovation

• Design and ship AI-powered learning experiences, including AI-driven scenarios and learner-facing AI tools, and set the team's standards for how they are built and evaluated.
• Leverage expertise in instructional design, AI, and UX best practices to create world-class, accessible, and inclusive learning experiences.
• Prototype and test new learning solutions using agile methods, including design sprints, user testing, Agentic AI prototype building, and rapid iteration.
• Integrate AI and automation tools to enhance efficiency, personalization, and scalability of content.
• Stay ahead of emerging technologies and EdTech trends (AI, VR/AR, adaptive learning systems) and recommend their application as appropriate.
• Bridge the gap with technology teams to create seamless, user-centered learning experiences across digital platforms.

Learner-Centered Design

• Apply UX research methods (personas, journey mapping, usability testing) to ensure learner-centric design.
• Champion accessibility, mobile-first, and microlearning formats to meet diverse learner needs.
• Conduct market and customer research to gather insight and understand personas and needs.
• Create or identify appropriate delivery modalities.
• Apply an iterative design methodology (such as SAM) and match its depth to the project: lightweight cycles for small projects, fuller multi-stakeholder cycles for complex ones.

Measurement and Business Case

• Gather competitive intelligence and perform competitive analysis.
• Write and present the business case for designs approaches and modalities.
• Monitor and report on the performance of content usage and feedback to inform design enhancements. Define how behavior change will be measured (for example, xAPI data and Level 3 application metrics) and use the results to improve designs.

Mentoring and Standards

• Mentor and guide peers in modern instructional design practices, AI literacy, and learner experience design.
• Provide coaching and expert guidance to team members, product management stakeholders, and other partners (internal/external).
• Guide the enhancement and advancement of learning designs, techniques, and processes.
• Document design requirements, standards, and best practices.

Project Delivery and Change Leadership

• Create and present successful learning experience applications.
• Coordinate project activities with product management stakeholders, team, and others.
• Participate in Kick-Off, Design Sprints, pilots, user testing, interviews, and other meetings for assigned projects.
• Manage assigned projects per agreed upon requirements and specifications.
• Provide feedback to the Director of Content Innovation and Leadership Development.
• Challenge current thinking around content design practices, supports and models experimentation, and advances positive improvements through to execution.
• Identify change opportunities and catalyze transitions with peers across the PDC team.

Requirements

(These are the minimum qualifications you need to be considered for the job)

• B.S./B.A. or higher in instructional design, educational technology, or related area that includes adult learning theory, principles, and practices
• 7+ years of experience:
• Designing a variety of learning products across different delivery mediums, such as e-learning, virtual learning, and in-person training. - Applying instructional design theories to create innovative, engaging, and experiential learning solutions. - Researching, prototyping, and testing solutions to maintain customer focus and inform design decisions. - Leveraging a variety of e-learning authoring tools and technologies. - Maintaining awareness of learning design trends and emerging technologies and recommending new tools for application. - Leading, mentoring, and collaborating with a project team of developers, editors, visual and multi-media designers. - Collaborating with subject matter experts, technology teams, and managing reviews and reporting to stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience designing and shipping AI-powered learning experiences (for example, AI-driven scenarios or learner-facing AI tools), with examples you can walk us through.
• Working knowledge of an iterative design methodology such as SAM, and the judgment to scale it to the size of the project.
• Experience measuring learning impact beyond completion, such as xAPI or Level 3 behavior-change data.
• Track record of contributing quickly and delivering on tight timelines in a small, fast-moving team.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Complex problem-solving, design and critical thinking skills
• Strong sense of creativity, technical savvy, attention to detail, and perseverance
• Propensity to take initiative, work independently, and adapt to change quickly
• Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize work, and complete projects within tight timeframes
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, e-learning tools, and experience with learning management systems and agile workflow

Salary: The anticipated hiring range for this position is listed below. Numbers shown reflect base pay only.

Bonus/Variable Pay: 5%

The exact compensation offered will vary based on skills, experience, and geographic location.

Benefits: Click here for an overview of the benefits DDI offers.

Salary Description

$64,700 - $93,700