Instruction Design Program Manager

Our vision for the future is based on the idea that transforming financial lives starts by giving our people the freedom to transform their own. We have a flexible work environment, and fluid career paths. We not only encourage but celebrate internal mobility. We also recognize the importance of purpose, well-being, and work-life balance. Within Empower and our communities, we work hard to create a welcoming and inclusive environment, and our associates dedicate thousands of hours to volunteering for causes that matter most to them.

Chart your own path and grow your career while helping more customers achieve financial freedom. Empower Yourself.

The Instructional Designer Program Manager is responsible for leading the end-to-end execution of complex learning design and development programs. This role partners with business stakeholders, subject matter experts (SMEs), instructional designers, and people leaders to ensure learning solutions are delivered on time, meet quality standards, and align with organizational objectives.

This position combines instructional design expertise with program management, Agile delivery, quality assurance, and process improvement to drive scalable, learner-centered solutions across instructor-led, virtual instructor-led, and self-paced learning experiences.

This role will lead Call Center training development efforts.

What You Will Do

• Manage large, complex learning programs from initiation through completion, coordinating timelines, dependencies, deliverables, risks, and course sequencing across multiple contributors.

• Serve as Scrum Master for learning programs by managing work backlogs, assigning work, monitoring daily progress, escalating issues, and ensuring quality standards are met.

• Partner with stakeholders and SMEs to define program scope, manage expectations, and align learning solutions with business objectives.

• Conduct quality assurance reviews of instructional content and provide detailed, actionable feedback to instructional designers.

• Ensure consistency, effectiveness, and adherence to established instructional design standards across all learning deliverables.

• Identify trends, gaps, and opportunities to improve learning design, development processes, and program execution.

• Design, document, and maintain scalable processes, templates, standards, and documentation that improve efficiency and consistency across the instructional design team.

• Research, evaluate, and pilot new tools, technologies, and methodologies that enhance learning effectiveness and team productivity.

• Serve as a thought partner on operational excellence, process improvement, and instructional design best practices.

• Design and develop instructor-led, virtual instructor-led, and self-paced eLearning solutions supporting leadership development, onboarding, and other people-related learning initiatives.

• Apply adult learning theory, instructional systems design (ISD) methodologies, and cognitive learning principles to develop engaging, learner-centered learning experiences.

• Develop learning content using Articulate Rise, Articulate Storyline, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Captivate, Camtasia, and related technologies.

• Design assessment strategies, evaluate learning effectiveness, and recommend improvements to maximize business impact and learning outcomes.

What You Will Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Instructional Design, or a related field, or equivalent business experience.

• Minimum of 8 years of instructional design experience supporting both instructor-led and eLearning solutions, or equivalent business experience.

• Demonstrated expertise managing large, complex learning programs involving multiple stakeholders and contributors.

• Strong analytical, written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Experience conducting quality assurance reviews and providing developmental feedback on instructional content.

• Experience leading work across multiple contributors, managing work backlogs, and coordinating project execution against deadlines.

• Strong knowledge of instructional design methodologies, adult learning theory, and learning science principles.

• Working knowledge of project management methodologies, process improvement practices, and change implementation.

• Experience creating templates, standards, and documentation that improve quality, consistency, and scalability.

• Strong technical writing and computer proficiency.

• Demonstrated technical aptitude and ability to learn new technologies quickly.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively while building effective relationships with SMEs and business stakeholders.

• Commitment to continuous learning and adoption of emerging technologies.

• Intermediate proficiency with one or more eLearning authoring tools such as Adobe Captivate, Articulate, or Lectora.

What Will Set You Apart

• Agile or Scrum Master certification.

• Instructional Systems Design (ISD) or Performance Improvement certification.

• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite (particularly Adobe InDesign), AI-enabled learning tools, and related technologies.

• Financial services industry experience.

***Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time, including CPT/OPT.***

What we offer you

We offer an array of diverse and inclusive benefits regardless of where you are in your career. We believe that providing our employees with the means to lead healthy balanced lives results in the best possible work performance.

• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• Retirement savings – 401(k) plan with generous company matching contributions (up to 6%), financial advisory services, potential company discretionary contribution, and a broad investment lineup
• Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250/year
• Business-casual environment that includes the option to wear jeans
• Generous paid time off upon hire – including a paid time off program plus ten paid company holidays and three floating holidays each calendar year
• Paid volunteer time — 16 hours per calendar year
• Leave of absence programs – including paid parental leave, paid short- and long-term disability, and Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)
• Business Resource Groups (BRGs) –  BRGs facilitate inclusion and collaboration across our business internally and throughout the communities where we live, work and play. BRGs are open to all.

Base Salary Range

The salary range above shows the typical minimum to maximum base salary range for this position in the location listed. Non-sales positions have the opportunity to participate in a bonus program. Sales positions are eligible for sales incentives, and in some instances a bonus plan, whereby total compensation may far exceed base salary depending on individual performance. Actual compensation offered may vary from posted hiring range based upon geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level and will be finalized at the time of offer.

Equal opportunity employer •  Drug-free workplace

We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity.  All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age (40 and over), race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, religion, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law. 

***For remote and hybrid positions you will be required to provide reliable high-speed internet with a wired connection as well as a place in your home to work with limited disruption. You must have reliable connectivity from an internet service provider that is fiber, cable or DSL internet. Other necessary computer equipment, will be provided. You may be required to work in the office if you do not have an adequate home work environment and the required internet connection.***

Job Posting End Date at 12:01 am on:

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