Instructional Designer

Instructional Designer

The Instructional Designer is the learning architecture and design lead within the L&D team. This role is accountable for translating business needs and performance gaps into structured, evidence-based learning solutions — determining what to teach, in what sequence, to whom, and why. The Instructional Designer owns the instructional strategy from needs analysis through final design sign-off, partnering closely with subject matter experts (SMEs), business stakeholders, and Content Developers to ensure every learning solution is grounded in adult learning principles and aligned to measurable outcomes.

This is a consultative, methodology-forward role. The Instructional Designer brings a point of view to every project — challenging scope when needed, advocating for the learner, and ensuring that learning solutions are practical and durable in a fast-paced, frontline retail environment.

Responsibilities:

• Partner with business leaders, operations, HR, and SMEs to conduct thorough needs analyses — distinguishing training problems from performance or process problems before design begins.
• Translate identified performance gaps and business objectives into clear, measurable learning objectives that drive instructional design decisions.
• Define the appropriate learning modality, format, and delivery approach (eLearning, ILT, blended, microlearning, job aids) for each initiative based on audience, context, and complexity.
• Develop and maintain a learning design framework and standards that guide the work of the full L&D team.

Instructional Design & Content Architecture

• Design learning experiences using established ID models (e.g., ADDIE, SAM, backward design) and adult learning principles — not just content delivery.
• Write detailed storyboards, scripts, facilitator guides, participant workbooks, and assessment frameworks that provide clear, production-ready direction to Content Developers.
• Design assessments, knowledge checks, and evaluation strategies aligned to Kirkpatrick levels that measure actual behavior change and business impact — not just completion.
• Create and maintain RaceTrac's instructional design standards, templates, and content maturity frameworks to ensure quality and consistency across all programs.

SME Partnership & Stakeholder Consultation

• Serve as the primary instructional consultant for business stakeholders and SMEs — managing scope, setting expectations, and guiding the content development process from kickoff through final review.
• Lead design review sessions with SMEs, synthesizing complex operational and technical information into clear learning content without losing accuracy.
• Manage review cycles, feedback integration, and revision processes with professionalism and a bias for action.

Program Evaluation & Continuous Improvement

• Establish and track learning effectiveness metrics, using data and learner feedback to continuously improve program design and instructional quality.
• Conduct periodic reviews of existing training portfolios to identify gaps, outdated content, and opportunities for redesign or consolidation.
• Contribute to RaceTrac's content maturity matrix, ensuring programs are appropriately classified and maintained throughout their lifecycle.

Collaboration & Team Contribution

• Partner closely with Content Developers to hand off design work clearly, answer production questions, and review final content for instructional fidelity.
• Contribute to the L&D team's collective capability — sharing frameworks, templates, and lessons learned to elevate the quality of work across the group.
• Stay current on trends in instructional design, adult learning research, and emerging technologies including AI-assisted design tools.

Qualifications:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Instructional Design, Educational Technology, Curriculum & Instruction, Psychology, Communications, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of progressive experience in instructional design, with a demonstrated track record of designing learning solutions from needs analysis through deployment — not just content production.
• Strong command of adult learning theory, instructional design models (ADDIE, SAM, backward design), and performance-based learning objectives.
• Proven ability to write clear, production-ready storyboards, scripts, and facilitator guides that others can build from.
• Experience partnering with and managing SMEs through a full content development lifecycle.
• Proficiency in Articulate 360 (Storyline and/or Rise) sufficient to prototype or review eLearning content, even if production is handled by Content Developers.
• Familiarity with Learning Management Systems (LMS) — understanding how content is deployed, tracked, and reported.
• Strong project management skills: ability to manage multiple concurrent design projects, hit deadlines, and communicate status clearly.
• Exceptional written communication skills — storyboards, stakeholder documents, and program materials must be polished and precise.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in retail, convenience, or frontline workforce training environments.
• Knowledge of learning measurement frameworks (Kirkpatrick, Phillips ROI) and experience designing evaluation strategies.
• Familiarity with accessibility standards (WCAG) for digital learning content.
• Experience with gamification, scenario-based design, or virtual/augmented reality learning applications.
• Exposure to AI-assisted content development tools and an interest in integrating them responsibly into design workflows.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment with RaceTrac without regard to their race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.