Instructional Design Specialist

At CAVA we make it deliciously simple to eat well and feel good every day. We are guided by a Mediterranean heritage that’s been perfecting how to eat and live for four thousand years. We prioritize authenticity, curiosity and the pursuit of excellence in everything we do. We are working towards something big, together. We foster a culture built on five core values: Generosity First, Always: We lead with kindness. Our best work happens when we act in service of others. Constant Curiosity: We are eager to learn, grow, and explore beyond the obvious. Act with Agility: We welcome change; it’s the only constant. We embrace, adjust, adapt. Passion for Positivity: We greet each day with warmth and possibility. Collective Ambition: We have high aspirations that are achieved when we work together with a shared purpose. Instructional Design Specialist The Instructional Design Specialist creates engaging, learner-centered learning experiences that build capability, improve operational execution, and support business growth across CAVA's field organization. Working closely with the Director of Learning + Development, Operations, Field Training, Culinary, Food Safety, People + Culture, and subject matter experts, this role develops learning content that helps Restaurant Team Members, Team Leaders, Assistant General Managers, General Managers, and Area Leaders perform confidently and consistently. This role combines instructional design, content development, technical writing, multimedia production, and visual communication to create learning solutions across multiple formats—including eLearning, videos, photography, job aids, SOPs, operational playbooks, facilitator guides, and digital performance support resources. The ideal candidate is a creative, detail-oriented learning professional who enjoys transforming complex operational information into clear, engaging, and easy-to-understand learning experiences. They are passionate about creating high-quality content, continuously improving the learner experience, and supporting operational excellence across the business. What You’ll Do: Learning Experience Design Design and develop engaging learning experiences that support operational excellence, onboarding, and leadership development. Create blended learning solutions including eLearning, instructor-led training materials, facilitator guides, learner workbooks, job aids, operational playbooks, and performance support resources. Apply adult learning principles and instructional design best practices to create learning experiences that improve learner engagement, knowledge retention, and on-the-job performance. Develop learning content that is intuitive, visually organized, and easy to apply in fast-paced restaurant environments. Learning Content Development Translate operational procedures into clear, concise, and easy-to-understand learning content. Develop and maintain SOPs, job aids, quick-reference guides, operational documentation, rollout communications, leader resources, and knowledge articles. Apply plain-language writing principles and visual communication best practices to improve learner understanding. Ensure learning content is accurate, current, visually engaging, and aligned with CAVA's operational standards and brand voice. Update existing learning materials to reflect operational changes, new initiatives, and evolving business needs. Learning Media Production Develop interactive eLearning using Articulate Storyline, Rise, and other learning technologies. Produce instructional videos by assisting with scripting, storyboarding, filming, editing, and publishing. Partner with Learning Media to capture photography that supports restaurant procedures, food preparation, equipment operation, and operational standards. Design graphics, infographics, icons, and other visual learning assets using Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and related design tools. Utilize AI-powered tools, including ChatGPT, Synthesia, ElevenLabs, Microsoft Copilot, and similar technologies, to improve content development efficiency while maintaining quality and instructional integrity. Manage assigned learning projects while balancing multiple priorities and timelines. Partner with subject matter experts and cross-functional teams to gather information, validate content, and ensure learning materials accurately reflect operational processes. Support learning initiative rollouts by preparing facilitator materials, learner communications, implementation resources, and launch materials. Communicate project status, timelines, and deliverables effectively with stakeholders. Learning Operations & Continuous Improvement Maintain learning content within the Learning Management System (LMS), ensuring resources remain current, organized, and accessible. Gather learner feedback and operational insights to identify opportunities for content improvements. Support evaluation efforts by collecting learner feedback and updating learning materials based on business needs. Follow established learning standards, templates, and quality guidelines to ensure consistency across learning experiences. What Success Looks Like Learning experiences are engaging, practical, and easy for restaurant teams to understand and apply. Learning content translates operational procedures into clear, visually compelling resources that improve consistency and execution. Restaurant Team Members, Team Leaders, Assistant General Managers, General Managers, and Area Leaders have the tools and resources needed to perform confidently. Learning projects are delivered on time with exceptional quality, organization, and attention to detail. Strong collaborative relationships are built with Operations, subject matter experts, and cross-functional partners. Learning content remains accurate, current, and aligned with operational priorities. The Learning + Development team is recognized as a trusted partner that creates meaningful learning experiences supporting operational excellence. The Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Instructional Design, Learning Experience Design, Education, Organizational Development, Communications, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 1+ years of experience in instructional design, learning content development, training development, or a related field. Working knowledge of adult learning principles, instructional design methodologies, and learner-centered design. Exceptional written communication skills with the ability to translate complex operational information into clear, concise, and actionable learning content. Experience developing SOPs, job aids, facilitator guides, operational documentation, leadership resources, and blended learning experiences. Experience creating eLearning using Articulate Storyline and Rise. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite (Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Illustrator), Camtasia, Canva, and related content development tools. Experience using AI-powered tools such as ChatGPT, Synthesia, ElevenLabs, Microsoft Copilot, or similar technologies to support learning content development. Experience working with Learning Management Systems (Docebo or similar platforms) preferred. Strong organizational, project management, and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Experience working in and supporting restaurant, hospitality, or other operational environments preferred. Physical Requirements: Ability to maintain stationary position to be able to operate a computer and other office equipment Must be able to identify, analyze and assess details For certain positions, must be able to occasionally move or transport items up to 50 pounds Ability to communicate with others and exchange information accurately and effectively Constantly positions self and move about to support ordinary restaurant or food production support or office operations, as applicable Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner What we offer: Competitive salary, plus bonus and long-term incentives* Early Wage Access! Unlimited PTO, paid parental leave, plus paid opportunities to give back to the community 401k enrollment with CAVA contribution Company-paid STD, LTD, Life and AD&D coverage for salaried positions* Free CAVA food Casual work environment The opportunity to be on the ground floor of a rapidly growing brand All exempt and non exempt employees are eligible for benefits. Benefits are effective the 1st of the month following 30 days of service and you have until the day before the effective date to enroll. A new hire can enroll in our benefit program by selecting a link that is emailed directly to the new hire at their personal email address once hired. Please note that visa sponsorship is not available. The posting range is an all cash range. *Indicates qualifying eligible positions only CAVA - Joining "A culture, not a concept" As an equal opportunity employer, CAVA considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, height, weight, marital status, sexual orientation, familial status, genetic information or any other characteristic or protected classes as defined by federal, state, or local law. California applicants: Please visit our Notice at Collection and Privacy Policy to learn about our information practices in the job application and employment context. #J-18808-Ljbffr CAVA