Instructional Designer (Independent Contractor)

Contiem, Inc.; Annapolis (MD); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Part time

Job summary

Contiem, Inc. in Annapolis, MD seeks a Contract Instructional Designer to craft training solutions for client projects and our products. This client-facing role demands exceptional consulting abilities, SME collaboration, and a history of successful project delivery across eLearning, ILT, and blended formats.

The ideal candidate brings 6+ years in instructional design, strong adult-learning knowledge, and proficiency with Articulate 360/Storyline, Articulate Studio, and Adobe Captivate.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship required.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• 6+ years of instructional design and courseware-development experience.
• Experience leading full ID lifecycle and client-facing engagements.
• Strong knowledge of adult learning theory and learning objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead needs assessments and performance analyses to define objectives.
• Collaborate with SMEs and stakeholders to design learner-centered solutions.
• Facilitate discovery and content-review sessions with clients.
• Analyze data to recommend evidence-based learning strategies.
• Apply ADDIE or SAM frameworks and accessibility standards.
• Design and develop learning solutions across formats (eLearning, ILT, blended).
• Create design documents, storyboards, scripts, assessments, and guides.
• Develop engaging digital experiences with multimedia and branching scenarios.
• Ensure content aligns with objectives, branding, and policies.
• Prioritize work, communicate status, and deliver on timelines.

Skills

Adult learning theory

ID models

Learning objectives

Curriculum architecture

Learner-centered design

eLearning modules

SME facilitation

Articulate Storyline

Adobe Captivate

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Tools

Articulate 360/Storyline

Articulate Studio

Adobe Captivate

Job description

• The final compensation offer will be determined by factors such as the candidate’s skills, qualifications, experience, geographic location, and other relevant factors.

Job Description

• The final compensation offer will be determined by factors such as the candidate’s skills, qualifications, experience, geographic location, and other relevant factors.

Our Mission

We aim to be the leading provider of content management software and expertise, helping clients create, manage, publish, and deliver high-value content.

About Us

Contiem, Inc. is a global Component Content Management System (CCMS) and expertise partner. We specialize in creating, managing, and delivering high-value content, technical documentation, eLearning, online help, visualizations, training materials, etc. We continuously challenge the status quo and empower organizations by delivering effective content solutions that help clients achieve their business objectives. Contiem headquarters is located in Annapolis, MD, with additional locations in the US and internationally in Sutton, UK, Chennai, India, and Sydney, Australia. Our elite team of subject matter experts works closely with clients to assess, optimize, and transform their content objectives and operations. Our global team allows us to support clients in 40 countries, including many of the world's largest companies and iconic brands, from various industries such as Publishing, Consumer Products, Healthcare, Technology, and Financial Services.

Position Summary

Contiem is seeking a Contract Instructional Designer (ID) to create and implement effective training solutions for client projects and our own products and services. This role is client-facing and demands exceptional consulting abilities, subject-matter expertise, and a history of successful project delivery.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Contiem’s Professional Services span a diverse range of industries, including Government, Publishing, Industrial & Manufacturing, Consumer Products, Healthcare, Technology, and Financial Services. To maintain our high standard of client support, this role’s primary expectations may include:

• Lead comprehensive needs assessments and performance analyses to identify skill gaps, business needs, learner challenges, and measurable learning objectives.
• Partner with business leaders, subject-matter experts (SMEs), and key stakeholders to translate complex content into practical, learner-centered training solutions.
• Facilitate discovery meetings and content-review sessions independently; ask targeted questions to define scope, audience needs, performance outcomes, delivery requirements, and success measures.
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data— including learner feedback, performance metrics, assessment results, and stakeholder input—to recommend effective, evidence-based learning strategies.
• Apply established instructional design frameworks, such as ADDIE or SAM, along with adult learning principles, accessibility standards, and learning-experience best practices.
• Design and develop learning solutions across multiple delivery formats, including eLearning, virtual instructor-led training, instructor-led training, blended learning programs, microlearning, videos, job aids, performance-support tools, and/or facilitator guides.
• Create detailed design documents, storyboards, scripts, learner assessments, knowledge checks, instructional materials, facilitator materials, and implementation plans.
• Develop engaging, interactive digital learning experiences using modern authoring tools, multimedia assets, scenario-based learning, branching interactions, and assessment strategies.
• Ensure all learning content is aligned to approved objectives, audience characteristics, organizational standards, branding, accessibility requirements, and applicable compliance or policy requirements.
• Independently prioritize work, communicate project status clearly, elevate risks when needed, and consistently deliver high-quality work within established timelines.
• Maintain organized project documentation, source files, version-control practices, course archives, design records, and content-development folders to support efficient collaboration and future maintenance.

Experience And Skills

• U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• 6+ years of relevant experience in Instructional Design and Courseware Development projects.
• Demonstrated experience leading the full instructional design lifecycle.
• Strong knowledge of adult learning theory, instructional design models, learning objectives, assessment design, curriculum architecture, learning evaluation, and learner-centered design practices.
• Proven ability to create engaging instructional content, including design documents, storyboards, scripts, eLearning modules, facilitator guides, participant materials, job aids, simulations, video-based learning, and assessments.
• Experience consulting with and independently facilitating working sessions with SMEs, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams.
• Advanced proficiency with courseware development and authoring tools, including Articulate 360/Storyline, Articulate Studio, Adobe Captivate, and comparable eLearning-development platforms.
• Experience incorporating multimedia elements—including audio, video, animation, graphics, interactions, and scenario-based activities—into learning solutions.
• Excellent written, verbal, facilitation, editing, and communication skills, with the ability to make complex technical or policy-driven information clear and actionable for varied audiences.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational ability, sound judgment, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a deadline-driven environment.

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

• Certification or degree in Instructional Systems Design, Education, Training/Curriculum Development, Technical Communication, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Comprehension of increasingly complex products, processes, and projects.
• Flexibility to adapt to new ideas, changes, and feedback.
• Ability to conceptualize content visually by collaborating with graphic designers and technical team members.
• Exhibit an exceptional eye for detail to create the final product within specified timelines.
• Demonstrate experience in committing to and meeting external customer expectations.
• Ability to work in a team-based environment and as an individual contributor or specialist.
• Ability to work effectively with subject matter experts to conduct research and resolve issues.
• Experience working with global clients.

Please note, this job description does not cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.