Instructional Designer

BDO; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading professional services firm in Ottawa is seeking an experienced Instructional Designer to enhance learning experiences through innovative design and technology. The ideal candidate will have 3-7 years of experience in instructional design, strong proficiency in Articulate Storyline, and the ability to apply adult learning principles effectively. Join a collaborative environment that fosters professional growth and innovation in learning methodologies.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to conduct needs assessments and collaborate with stakeholders.
• Experience designing and implementing learning solutions across modalities.
• Strong understanding of emerging learning technologies.

Responsibilities

• Design engaging learner-centered experiences with real impact.
• Lead learning projects ensuring alignment with business goals.
• Evaluate learning effectiveness and refine programs continuously.

Skills

Instructional Design

Collaboration

Project Management

Adult Learning Principles

User Experience Design

Innovation

Education

3-7 years of experience in Instructional Design/Learning & Development

Tools

Articulate Storyline

Adobe Creative Suite

Vyond

Job description

Putting people first, every day

BDO is a firm built on a foundation of positive relationships with our people and our clients. Each day, our professionals provide exceptional service, helping clients with advice and insight they can trust. In turn, we offer an award-winning environment that fosters a with a high priority on your personal and professional growth.

Your Opportunity

Our National office is looking for an Instructional Designer to join the Learning & Development team. The ideal candidate will be innovative, strategic and thrives on creating engaging, learner-centered experiences with real impact. You are curious, collaborative, and passionate about learning experience design (LXD), seamlessly blending modern instructional design, UX principles, and synchronous facilitation practices to enhance engagement and retention. With a strong ability to influence and build relationships, you design immersive, inclusive, and practical learning solutions, grounded in adult learning principles and leveraging AI and innovative learning technologies.

Your skills and accountabilities

• Conduct needs assessments, learner analysis, and collaborate with subject matter experts and stakeholders to define objectives and identify skill gaps for strategic learning programs.
• Apply instructional design best practices, including ADDIE, adult learning principles, UX / LXD methodologies, and design thinking, to create engaging, accessible, and inclusive learning experiences across virtual instructor-led training, instructor-led training, eLearning, and blended solutions.
• While familiar with rapid authoring tools, you are passionate and experienced in designing interactive, high-impact ILT and vILT experiences supported by strong presentation and facilitation materials.
• Incorporate just-in-time learning strategies by designing microlearning modules, job aids, and performance support tools to enhance knowledge retention and reinforce on-the-job application.
• Lead learning projects with strong project management skills, ensuring alignment with business goals and learner needs while collaborating with Learning & Development business partners.
• Foster a culture of learning by guiding stakeholders on effective learning strategies and adult learning best practices to maximize engagement and skill development.
• Experiment with and responsibly apply innovative technologies, including AI, adaptive learning platforms, and data-driven analytics, to elevate learning experiences, enhance personalization, and measure impact more effectively.
• Evaluate learning effectiveness by analyzing feedback, measuring impact, and refining programs to ensure continuous improvement and alignment with business objectives.

How do we define success for your role?

• You demonstrate BDO's core values through all aspect of your work: Integrity, Respect and Collaboration
• You understand your client’s industry, challenges, and opportunities; clients describe you as positive, professional, and delivering high quality work
• You identify, recommend, and are focused on effective service delivery to your clients
• You share in an inclusive and engaging work environment that develops, retains & attracts talent
• You actively participate in the adoption of digital tools and strategies to drive an innovative workplace
• You grow your expertise through learning and professional development.

Your experience and education

• You have 3-7 years of experience in Instructional Design and / or Learning & Development, including hands-on development of learning solutions across multiple modalities.
• You have practical experience designing learning solutions end-to-end, leveraging design thinking methodologies, ADDIE, and UX / LXD principles.
• You have experience conducting needs assessments, learner analysis, gap analysis, and stakeholder consultations to align learning solutions with business objectives.
• You are proficient in Articulate Storyline, Rise, and Vyond (additional skills in Adobe Creative Suite or other professional design / video production tools are an asset).
• You have extensive experience designing and developing instructor-led (ILT) and virtual instructor-led (vILT) training, especially in areas like Power Skills, sales, and leadership development, including highly interactive sessions and visually engaging PowerPoint decks.
• You work closely with facilitators and subject matter experts to translate business needs into engaging, practical ILT / vILT learning experiences that reflect adult learning best practices.
• You design comprehensive facilitator and participant materials that support impactful delivery, consistency, and learner engagement in live settings.
• You are familiar with emerging learning technologies (e.g., gamification, AI, adaptive learning, and digital collaboration tools), and can integrate them strategically into learning programs where they add value.
• You have strong project management skills and experience collaborating with others to design, implement, and roll out learning programs—including stakeholder engagement, change management, and creative execution.
• You have experience designing and implementing measurement and evaluation strategies for programs of various levels of complexity and scope.
• You have a deep understanding of the modern learning profession and its value to organizations. Your strategic mindset, strong critical thinking, and analytical skills enable you to drive continuous innovation in learning and development practices.
• You have a learning mindset and are committed to providing an exceptional client experience.