Instructional Designer - Retail

RaceTrac; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

RaceTrac is seeking an Instructional Designer – Retail to lead learning architecture for frontline stores. You will translate business needs into structured, measurable programs, partner with SMEs and content developers, and ensure adult learning principles guide every solution.

This role blends strategy with hands-on content creation in a fast-paced retail environment. You’ll design with ID models (ADDIE, SAM), craft storyboards, assessments, and evaluation plans, maintain standards, and drive

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in instructional design or related field.
• 3–5 years of instructional design experience.
• Strong command of adult learning theory and ID models.
• Ability to write clear storyboards and facilitator guides.
• Experience partnering with SMEs through full content lifecycle.
• Proficiency in Articulate 360 (Storyline/Rise).
• Familiarity with LMS deployment, tracking, and reporting.
• Strong project management and polished written communication.

Responsibilities

• Partner with business leaders, operations, HR and SMEs to conduct needs analyses and distinguish training problems from performance gaps.
• Translate identified performance gaps into clear, measurable learning objectives.
• Define learning modalities, formats, and delivery approaches (eLearning, ILT, blended, microlearning) for each initiative.
• Develop and maintain a learning design framework and standards for the L&D team.
• Design experiences using ID models (ADDIE/SAM) and adult learning principles.
• Write detailed storyboards, scripts, facilitator guides, participant workbooks, and assessment frameworks.
• Design assessments and evaluation strategies aligned to Kirkpatrick levels to measure behavior change and business impact.
• Create and maintain RaceTrac's instructional design standards and content maturity frameworks.
• Serve as the primary instructional consultant for stakeholders and SMEs, managing scope and timelines.
• Lead design review sessions with SMEs, translating complex information into clear learning content.
• Manage review cycles, feedback integration, and revision processes with professionalism.
• Establish and track learning effectiveness metrics and continuously improve program design.
• Review existing training portfolios to identify gaps and opportunities for redesign.
• Contribute to RaceTrac's content maturity matrix across programs.
• Collaborate with Content Developers to ensure instructional fidelity and timely handoffs.
• Stay current on trends in instructional design and AI-assisted design tools.

Skills

Instructional design

ID models (ADDIE/SAM)

Articulate 360

LMS proficiency

Storyboarding/writing

Project management

SME collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Instructional Design / related field

Tools

LMS

Job description

Instructional Designer – Retail

200 Galleria Parkway SE Suite 900 Atlanta, GA 30339

Full time

Job Description

The Instructional Designer – Retail is the learning architecture and design lead within the L&D team for our RaceTrac Stores. 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.

What You’ll Do

Needs Analysis & Learning Strategy

• 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 behaviour 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.

What We’re Looking For

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.

Fueled by Growth, Driven by You

At RaceTrac, our people make the difference. Whether you’re working in a store, at our corporate office, or on the road, you’ll be part of a team that brings energy, innovation, and a passion for serving others every day. We support each other, celebrate wins big and small, and create opportunities for growth at every level. With four operating divisions RaceTrac, RaceWay, Energy Dispatch, and Gulf — there’s always a new challenge to take on and a new path to pursue. Join us and discover how far your career can go.

To see what #LifeatRaceTrac is like, visit our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram pages.

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.