Lead Instructional Designer

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

Job summary

CDW is seeking an experienced Lead Instructional Designer in Chicago to drive complex learning and enablement initiatives across leadership, selling, and technical skills. You will collaborate with senior leadership to design, develop, implement, and measure training solutions that align with CDW's strategies and business goals.

The role requires guiding multiple concurrent projects, leveraging AI-enabled tools, mentoring peers, and partnering with external vendors when needed to deliver

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required.
• 7+ years of instructional design or related field experience.
• Knowledge of learning technologies, AI-enabled development tools, and evaluation methodologies.
• Experience leading complex instructional design projects with measurable outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead program management for complex learning and enablement initiatives through full life cycle.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to translate business needs into learning solutions.
• Research and apply best practices in instructional design and AI-enabled learning.
• Manage multiple initiatives with governance, risk, and resource coordination.
• Measure learner outcomes and business impact, advising on improvements.

Skills

Instructional design

Project management

AI-enabled learning

Stakeholder management

Learning technologies

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Master's in Instructional Design or related (plus)

Tools

Articulate Rise

Articulate Storyline

Synthesia

Camtasia

Job description

Description

This position utilizes instructional design knowledge, learning technologies, and project management expertise to lead complex learning and enablement initiatives focused on building leadership, selling, and technical skills. This role collaborates with senior leadership to implement first‑class development programs that support CDW's strategies and business goals. Scope includes the identification, design, development, implementation, and measurement of training solutions utilizing various learning tools and participation on project teams to design, develop, and implement organizational improvement solutions. The Lead Instructional Designer excels in leading complex projects, identifying and implementing innovative learning solutions, leveraging emerging technologies, and coaching peers on instructional design best practices and modern learning tools.

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.

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

CDW is committed to being an AI-fluent organization

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 don't need 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, one 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 fullstack, fulllifecycle 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, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by state and local law.