Lead Instructional Designer

CO1000 CDW, LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 114,000 - 159,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus target 10%

Benefits overview link

Job summary

CDW is seeking a senior instructional design and program management leader to guide complex learning initiatives from needs assessment to evaluation. You will partner with cross-functional teams to define requirements and translate them into organizational improvements using AI-enabled learning and modern design approaches.

You will mentor designers, apply best practices, and measure impact on learner outcomes and business performance while managing multiple initiatives and vendor partnerships.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience.
• 7 years' experience in instructional design or related field.
• Knowledge of learning technologies, AI-enabled tools, evaluation methodologies, and industry trends.
• Ability to lead multiple complex initiatives with cross-functional teams.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Lead program management for complex learning and enablement initiatives from needs assessment through implementation and evaluation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to define business requirements and translate into improvements.
• Research and apply instructional design and AI-enabled learning best practices to improve processes.
• Lead multiple concurrent initiatives with governance, risk and dependency management for successful outcomes.
• Measure learner skills, client satisfaction and business impact of services.
• Mentor instructional design team members and champion AI-enabled workflows.

Job description

What You Will Do

• Lead program management for complex learning and enablement initiatives from needs assessment through implementation and evaluation, including prioritization, instructional design, stakeholder communications, and measurement of outcomes.
• Consult, collaborate, and partner with cross-functional stakeholders to define business requirements and translate needs into organizational improvement solutions.
• Research and apply instructional design, enablement, AI-enabled learning, project management, and industry best practices to improve team processes and organizational effectiveness.
• Lead multiple concurrent initiatives, applying project management best practices to drive stakeholder alignment, governance, resource coordination, risk and dependency management, accountability, and successful delivery of business outcomes.
• Effectively measure and assess learner skills, client satisfaction and business impact related to provided services.
• Establish strategies for addressing gaps. Advise on methods and approaches to reinforce skills.
• Write and present recommendations, project proposals and business reviews for internal executive audiences.
• Mentor and coach instructional design team members while providing thought leadership on instructional design best practices, AI-enabled workflows, and innovative learning technologies to build organizational capability.
• Evaluate, select, and partner with external vendors or contractors to build or tailor materials to meet CDW-specific needs when necessary.
• Continuously develop instructional design and project management skills based on leading edge concepts and technology.
• Design and develop innovative learning experiences using modern learning technologies, AI-enabled development tools, and emerging design approaches to increase development efficiency while maximizing learner engagement, skill development, knowledge retention, and business impact.
• Manage and maintain curriculum review, content governance, and lifecycle management processes with subject matter experts to ensure content remains current, relevant and aligned to business priorities.
• Identify opportunities for continuous program improvement and establish business case recommendations for changes.
• Ability to travel up to 10%.

What We Expect of You

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience.
• 7 years' experience as a CDW coworker or 7 years' work experience in instructional design or related field.
• Current, in-depth knowledge of learning technologies, AI-enabled development tools, instructional design best practices, adult learning theory, evaluation methodologies, and industry trends.
• Depth and/or breadth of expertise in instructional design, adult learning theories and evaluation methodologies.
• Demonstrated instructional design and project management experience with a successful track record of increasing learner knowledge, performance, effectiveness, and business outcomes.
• Proven ability to lead multiple complex initiatives, balancing competing priorities, adapt to changing business needs, and meet project timelines and stakeholder expectations.
• Interpret internal and external business challenges and recommend best practices to design training solutions to solve issues.
• Impact the achievement of customer, operational, project, or service objectives; work is guided by functional objectives.
• Communicate complex concepts; anticipate potential objections and influence others to adopt a different point of view.
• Demonstrated time management skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain productive and collaborative relationships cross-functionally.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, collaboration platforms, learning management systems, and content development platforms, including Articulate Rise, Articulate Storyline, Synthesia, Camtasia, and related learning technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to use AI writing, design, image, audio, video, automation, and low-code or no-code tools to accelerate learning design and content production.
• Master's Degree in Instructional Design, Learning and Development, or Organizational Development is a plus.
• Strong knowledge of advanced sales skills and strategy is a plus.
• Strong technical aptitude is a plus.
• History of working with sales and services organizations to increase revenue and profit performance is a plus.

Compensation & Benefits

• Pay range: $114,000 - $158,800 depending on experience and skill set
• Annual bonus target of 10% subject to terms and conditions of plan
• Benefits overview: https://cdw.benefit-info.com/
• Salary ranges may be subject to geographic differentials

Company Culture

We're looking for people who bring curiosity, a learner's mindset, and a willingness to engage with ever-evolving technology and tools.

We value adopting AI as a partner, openness to experimentation, and a shared interest in learning together on AI.

Our goal is to create a culture where AI enhances - not replaces human creativity and decision-making.

You're not required to be an expert today; what matters is your readiness to explore, adapt, and grow with us as we integrate AI responsibly and effectively into our work.

Additionally, CDW is committed to fostering an equitable, transparent, and respectful hiring process for all applicants.

During our application process, our goal is to understand your experience, strengths, skills, and qualifications.

As an AI forward company, we see AI not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for new ways of thinking, creating, and communicating.

We encourage candidates to embrace an AI mindset, that's curious, adaptive, and ready to explore what's possible.

We welcome thoughtful use of AI to expand your perspective and elevate how you share your story, while ensuring your application remains rooted in your own background, judgment, and voice.

About Us

CDW is a Fortune 500 technology solutions provider that helps businesses, government, education, and healthcare organizations achieve what's possible through technology. What makes CDW different isn't just what we do - it's how we do it. At CDW we act as one- building trust, speaking candidly, and working together to achieve more. We play to win - focusing on what matters most and delivering for our customers. And we think forward - staying curious, moving fast, and continuously learning. We believe meaningful work happens when people feel supported, heard, and empowered to contribute. That's why we think of ourselves as coworkers, not just employees - working together to solve complex challenges and deliver real impact for our customers and communities. As a full-stack, full-lifecycle technology partner, CDW brings deep expertise, strong relationships, and broad industry knowledge to help turn ideas into outcomes. When you join CDW, you become part of a collaborative environment where your work matters, your growth is supported, and your contributions help shape what's next. Together, we deliver the full promise of what technology can do. Together, we Make Amazing Happen. CDW is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, or any other basis prohibited by state and local law. At CDW, we make technology work so people can do great things. We are a leading multi-brand technology solutions provider to business, government, education and healthcare customers in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. Our coworkers across the globe are working together to bring technology to life for our customers by solving complicated IT business challenges, providing outstanding service, and orchestrating the technology landscape to optimize our customers performance.