Director, Learning Design

Suffolk is a national enterprise that builds, innovates, and invests. We provide value across the entire project lifecycle through core construction management services and complementary business lines in real estate investment, design, self-perform construction, and technology start-up investment (Suffolk Technologies). By integrating data, artificial intelligence, and advanced technology through our Seamless Platform, we connect design, construction, and operations to deliver smarter, more predictable results and redefine how America builds.

Suffolk – America’s Contractor – is a national company with more than $9 billion in annual revenue, 3,000 employees, and 17 offices, including Boston (headquarters), New York City, Miami, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Estero, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Las Vegas, Herndon, U.S. Virgin Islands, and other key markets. Suffolk manages complex and transformative projects across healthcare, life sciences, education, gaming, aviation, transportation, government, mission critical, and commercial sectors. Suffolk is privately held and ranked #8 on ENR’s list of “Top CM-at-Risk Contractors.”

About the role

The Director, Learning Design leads the instructional design function within Red & Blue University (RBU), Suffolk's internal learning and development organization. Reporting to the Head of Red & Blue University, this role advances Suffolk's learning capability through innovative instructional design, high-impact development programs, and learner-centered experiences that support business priorities. This newly established, hands-on leadership role will build and lead an in-house instructional design function, bringing curriculum design, eLearning development, and learning expertise within RBU. This role requires on-site presence four days per week in our Boston office and offers access to free parking, an on-site fitness center, cafeteria, and other amenities.

Responsibilities

• Learning Design Strategy: Lead RBU's learning design strategy. Establish standards for instructional design, curriculum development, and learner experience. Partner with business leaders to identify learning needs and capability gaps. Translate business priorities into scalable learning solutions. Ensure alignment with RBU standards, brand, and workforce strategy.
• Instructional Design & Content Development: Lead the design and development of learning experiences across digital, virtual, classroom, and blended formats. Serve as a hands-on instructional design leader while building the function. Develop eLearning, job aids, manuals, facilitator guides, and learner resources. Create curriculum frameworks, learning pathways, and development programs. Apply adult learning principles to develop engaging and effective learning solutions. Evaluate learning effectiveness and drive continuous improvement.
• Team Leadership & Design Operations: Build and lead Suffolk's internal instructional design function. Recruit, develop, and mentor instructional design talent. Establish processes, governance, and quality standards. Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability. Manage external vendors and learning partners as needed.
• Learning Technology & Innovation: Leverage learning technologies to improve learner engagement and scalability. Support the evolution of the RBU Learning Hub and digital learning ecosystem. Evaluate emerging technologies, including AI-enabled learning solutions. Apply best practices to enhance the learner experience.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Instructional Design, Learning & Development, Education, Organizational Development, Communications, or a related field required.
• Master's degree in Instructional Design, Adult Learning, Learning Technologies, or a related field preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in instructional design, learning experience design, corporate learning, or talent development.
• Strong experience applying adult learning principles to create impactful learning experiences.
• Experience designing and developing eLearning, job aids, manuals, facilitator guides, and learner resources.
• Experience building, leading, and developing instructional design teams.
• Experience with Learning Management Systems, Learning Experience Platforms, Oracle HCM, Articulate Storyline, Rise, Vyyond, Tango, and related learning technologies.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication, and project management skills.
• Construction, engineering, operations, or technical workforce learning experience preferred.
• Ability to balance hands-on design work with strategic leadership.
• This role requires working on-site in Suffolk's Boston office four days per week.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% to support learning initiatives, partner with regional teams, and drive program implementation across the organization.
• Possess and demonstrate Suffolk Core Values: Passion, Integrity, Hard Work, Professionalism, and Caring.

Working Conditions

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time; talk or hear; perform fine motor, hand and finger skills in the use of a keyboard, telephone, or writing. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; and reach with arms and/or hands. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. The employee will spend their time in an office environment with a quiet to moderate noise level. Job site walking.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries
• Auto allowances and gas cards for certain roles
• Market-leading medical, emotional, and mental health benefits
• Dental and vision insurance plans
• Virtual care options for physical therapy and primary care
• Generous paid time off
• 401k plan with employer match and access to expert financial resources
• Company-paid and voluntary life insurance
• Tax-deferred savings accounts
• 10 backup daycare days each year
• Short- and long-term disability
• Commuter benefits