Senior Instructional Designer

Charles Schwab Corporation; Westlake (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Charles Schwab Corporation’s Learning Solutions team seeks a Senior Manager, Instructional Designer to blend hands-on design with strategic partnership. You will analyze needs, design high-impact, measurable learning experiences aligned to business priorities, and contribute to a culture of learning.

Responsibilities span creating content outlines, storyboards, and materials across eLearning, video, virtual and in-person formats while applying ADDIE, WCAG, and Schwab standards.

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 and 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 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, 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.

Skills

Instructional design

Editorial/writing

Project management

Graphic design

Video production

Generative AI in learning

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Formal education in instructional design or related field

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Articulate 360

Job description

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