Senior Instructional Designer

Charles Schwab; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 102,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and sabbatical program

Parental leave and family benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Job summary

Charles Schwab seeks a Senior Manager, Instructional Designer to lead hands-on design and partner with stakeholders across the Learning Solutions organization. You will analyze needs, design high‑impact learning experiences, and drive measurable outcomes aligned with business priorities.

The role emphasizes applying adult learning principles, creating multi‑modal content, and leveraging AI responsibly to improve efficiency. A hybrid work model supports collaboration and client-focused outcomes.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience creating self-paced, blended, and instructor-led learning solutions.
• Portfolio demonstrating senior-level work on complex learning solutions with measurable outcomes.
• Formal education, certification, or equivalent training in instructional design, adult learning, or a related field.
• Experience using generative AI to create effective learning solutions and evaluate outputs for quality, accessibility, and responsible use.
• Strong writing and editorial skills with a focus on clarity and ease of understanding.
• Ability to handle large, high complexity projects concurrently.
• Advanced skills in graphic design, video, audio, and multimedia content creation.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop learning experiences using the ADDIE model, grounded in adult learning principles and aligned to business outcomes.
• Conduct needs analyses to define learning goals, delivery methods, project scope, and success measures.
• Build training plans addressing the who, what, when, where, why, and how to achieve business results through learning.
• Create content outlines, storyboards, prototypes, and other design artifacts to support development.
• Develop effective learning materials for multiple modalities, such as eLearning, video, virtual and in-person instruction.
• Write clear, compelling training content that follows Schwab's standards.
• Define requirements, scope, timelines, and work plans to meet milestones and delivery deadlines.
• Manage the review and feedback process to ensure quality and alignment.
• Apply WCAG and established processes and policies.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with stakeholders, colleagues, and subject matter experts.
• Facilitate productive project meetings and communicate risks, needs, and recommendations.
• Use visual and instructional design principles to create graphics and visuals that enhance learning.
• Apply AI thoughtfully in learning design to improve efficiency and measurable business outcomes.
• Contribute to team strategy and elevate design practices.
• Share expertise and elevate design practices through consultation, feedback, and mentorship.
• Evaluate learning effectiveness using data and feedback to improve learner and business outcomes.

Skills

Instructional design

AI in learning

Editorial skills

Project management

Strong writing

Multimedia content creation

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in instructional design or related field

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Video/Audio production tools

Generative AI tools

Job description

Senior Instructional Designer

Westlake, TX ; Austin, TX ; Orlando, FL

Position type Regular

Pay range USD $102,000.00 - $150,000.00 / Year

Application deadline 2026-10-06

Your opportunity

At Schwab, you are empowered to make an impact on your career. Here, innovative thought meets creative problem solving, helping us “challenge the status quo” and transform the finance industry together.

Learning Solutions is Schwab’s Learning Center of Excellence. We consult, create, and deliver innovative, high-quality learning experiences that empower Schwabbies to best serve our clients. As the firm’s learning partner of choice, we collaborate across the enterprise to strengthen a culture of learning and deliver solutions that meaningfully improve performance, elevate client service, and advance our “Through Clients’ Eyes” strategy.

As a Senior Manager, Instructional Designer, you will work as a hands‑on individual contributor and serve as a trusted partner in analyzing needs and designing high‑impact, measurable learning experiences aligned to business priorities. You will bring a passion for thoughtful design, a love of learning, and a strong desire to make a meaningful impact through work that helps individuals and the organization succeed.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop learning experiences using the ADDIE model, grounded in adult learning principles and aligned to business outcomes
• Conduct needs analyses to define learning goals, delivery methods, project scope, and success measures
• Build training plans that address the who, what, when, where, why, and how, with a focus on achieving business results through learning
• Create content outlines, storyboards, prototypes, and other design artifacts to support development
• Develop effective learning materials for multiple modalities, such as eLearning, video, virtual and in‑person instruction
• Write clear, compelling training content that simplifies complex topics while following Schwab’s writing standards
• Define requirements, scope, timelines, and work plans to meet milestones and delivery deadlines
• Manage the review and feedback process to ensure quality and alignment
• Apply team standards, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and established processes and policies
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with stakeholders, colleagues, and subject matter experts
• Facilitate productive project meetings by setting goals, communicating clearly, and listening actively
• Communicate risks, needs, and recommendations when scope shifts or challenges arise
• Use visual and instructional design principles to create graphics and visuals that enhance learning
• Apply AI thoughtfully in learning design to improve efficiency, strengthen learning experiences, and support responsible, measurable business outcomes
• Contribute to team strategy and the continued evolution of Learning Solutions as a learning organization
• Share expertise and elevate design practices through consultation, feedback, and mentorship
• Evaluate learning effectiveness using data and feedback to improve learner and business outcomes

What you have

To ensure we fulfill our promise of “challenging the status quo”, this role has specific qualifications candidates should have for success:

Required Qualifications

• At least 6+ years of experience creating self‑paced, blended, and instructor‑led learning solutions
• Portfolio demonstrating senior-level work on complex learning solutions, including strategic design decisions and measurable outcomes
• Formal education, certification, or equivalent training in instructional design, adult learning, learning theory, or a related field
• Experience using generative AI to create effective learning solutions and evaluate outputs for quality, accessibility, and responsible use
• Strong writing and editorial skills with a focus on clarity and ease of understanding
• Ability to handle large, high complexity projects concurrently
• Advanced skills in graphic design, video, audio, and multimedia content creation

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong time management and project management skills, with the ability to balance multiple projects
• Experience leading complex learning projects with multiple partners and workstreams
• Ability to collaborate effectively with a wide variety of partners and project teams
• Proven success learning quickly and applying new technologies, including the DCMS, generative AI evolutions, and Adobe Creative Suite
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve, adapt to change, and influence in a client‑centric environment
• Exceptional attention to detail, organization, and follow‑through
• Self‑leadership and accountability

What’s in it for you

At Schwab, you’re empowered to shape your future. We champion your growth through meaningful work, continuous learning, and a culture of trust and collaboration—so you can build the skills to make a lasting impact. Our Hybrid Work and Flexibility approach balances our ongoing commitment to workplace flexibility, serving our clients, and our strong belief in the value of being together in person on a regular basis.

We offer a competitive benefits package that takes care of the whole you – both today and in the future:

• 401(k) with company match and Employee stock purchase plan
• Paid time for vacation, volunteering, and 28‑day sabbatical after every 5 years of service for eligible positions
• Paid parental leave and family building benefits
• Tuition reimbursement
• Health, dental, and vision insurance