Senior Instructional Designer

BioSpace · Rockville, MD · 1 mo ago

Training$85k–$108k/yrFull-time

Brief Job Overview

The Senior Instructional Designer plays a critical role in translating enterprise talent strategy into high-impact, scalable learning experiences that build organizational capability and drive business performance.

This role designs and delivers modern, learner-centric solutions that enable USP to develop critical skills, accelerate leadership readiness, and strengthen workforce effectiveness.

As part of the integrated Talent Strategy & Development model, this role moves beyond traditional course development to support a holistic talent lifecycle, shaping how employees grow, perform, and advance within the organization.

Has The Following Responsibilities

Learning Experience Design & Development

Design and develop innovative, engaging learning solutions (digital, instructor-led, blended, and experiential) aligned to enterprise talent priorities.
Apply modern instructional design methodologies (e.g., ADDIE, Agile, design thinking) to build scalable, high-quality learning experiences.
Translate business needs, workforce capability gaps, and strategic priorities into targeted learning interventions.
Develop curriculum architectures, learning journeys, and capability pathways across key roles and functions.

Talent Strategy Integration

Partner with the Sr. Manager, Talent Management to operationalize talent strategy through learning solutions.
Align design efforts to support end-to-end talent lifecycle outcomes, including attract, hire, onboarding, development, internal mobility, and leadership readiness.
Ensure learning solutions support skills-based workforce strategies and capability frameworks.
Integrate learning into broader talent initiatives, including employer value proposition (EVP), career pathing, and succession planning.

Stakeholder Collaboration & Consulting

Serve as a consultative partner to HRBPs, business leaders, and functional teams to diagnose performance gaps and recommend solutions.
Collaborate with Talent Acquisition to design onboarding and early talent development experiences.
Conduct and facilitate new hire orientations, organization-wide training sessions, workshops, and teambuilding as required.
Partner with external vendors and internal SMEs to co-create high-impact learning solutions.
Influence stakeholders on best practices in learning, experience design, and capability development.

Learning Innovation & Experience

Leverage emerging technologies and digital tools (AI-enabled learning, learning experience platforms, microlearning) to modernize offerings.
Design learner-centric experiences that prioritize engagement, accessibility, and measurable outcomes.
Continuously evolve learning approaches to align with industry trends and workforce expectations.
Create and maintain learning and development resources in the learning management system to ensure accurate offerings, catalogs, and assignments to comply with ISO and training records SOP requirements and reporting.

Measurement, Analytics & Continuous Improvement

Define and track learning effectiveness metrics, including engagement, knowledge transfer, and business impact.
Use data and learner insights to continuously improve solutions and inform future design.
Partner with Talent Management leadership to demonstrate ROI and capability impact of learning investments.

Learning Operations & Governance

Support the management of learning assets within LMS/LXP platforms, ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and compliance.
Maintain quality standards, documentation, and governance processes across learning programs.
Contribute to vendor selection, content strategy, and learning technology optimization.

Who is USP Looking For?

The Successful Candidate Will Have a Demonstrated Understanding Of Our Mission, Commitment To Excellence Through Inclusive And Equitable Behaviors And Practices, Ability To Quickly Build Credibility With Stakeholders, Along With The Following Competencies And Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Instructional Design, Organizational Development, or related field. Four (4) years of relevant experience will be considered in lieu of degree;
Five (5) years of experience in instructional design, learning experience design, or talent development;
Demonstrated expertise in Instructional Systems Design (ISD) with hands-on experience;
Strong proficiency with instructional design tools (e.g., Articulate, Captivate) and LMS platforms;
Designing and implementing structured learning programs across a multigenerational workforce;
Proven ability to build enterprise-level learning strategies in complex, global organizations;
Experience partnering with senior leaders to drive organizational capability and effectiveness;
A strong understanding of talent lifecycle strategies, including workforce planning, leadership development, and succession;
Experience leading change and transformation initiatives is highly desirable;
Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills.

Additional Desired Preferences:

Master’s degree in Instructional Design, Organizational Development, Human Resources, or related field;
Experience in skills-based learning, capability frameworks, or workforce transformation initiatives;
Knowledge of adult learning theory, digital learning strategies, and experience design principles;
Experience working in global, matrixed organizations;
Strong analytical skills with ability to connect learning outcomes to business performance;
Certification in learning or talent disciplines (e.g., ATD, CPTD);
Experience leading transformation in talent, learning, or HR operating models;
Data-driven mindset with ability to translate analytics into business insights;
Executive presence with strong influencing and stakeholder management skills;
Experience in global, matrixed, and mission-driven organizations.

Supervisory Responsibilities

N/A

Benefits

USP provides the benefits to protect yourself and your family today and tomorrow. From company-paid time off and comprehensive healthcare options to retirement savings, you can have peace of mind that your personal and financial well-being is protected.

Compensation

Base Salary Range: USD $85,200 – 108,400 annually. Target Annual Bonus: % Varies based on level of role. Individual compensation packages are based on various factors unique to each candidate’s skill set, experience, qualifications, equity, and other job-related reasons.

Note

Note: USP does not accept unsolicited resumes from 3rd party recruitment agencies and is not responsible for fees from recruiters or other agencies except under specific written agreement with USP.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.