Global Learning Development Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Job Description:
The Global Instructional Design Manager (Growth Learning) leads the design and delivery of high-impact programs that build business development, sales effectiveness, and client relationship capabilities across the firm. This role partners closely with business leaders, growth teams, and subject matter experts to translate revenue priorities into practical, skill-based learning experiences that drive measurable outcomes.
In this global role, the Instructional Design Manager establishes scalable design approaches while tailoring content to regional market realities-ensuring programs are relevant, actionable, and aligned to growth strategy.
The ideal candidate will be:

• A business-minded professional with strong understanding of sales, client development, and revenue growth drivers and progressive instructional design experience in the area of sales and business development.
• Highly collaborative and action-oriented, capable of building productive relationships across a matrixed, global organization.
• Skilled in designing applied, practice-based learning (e.g., role plays, simulations, deal labs, coaching) that builds real-world business development capability.
• A strategic, data-driven designer who uses pipeline, win rate, and client engagement metrics to shape and evaluate learning impact.
• Highly consultative; able to challenge and influence business leaders to align learning solutions to growth priorities.
• Comfortable working with senior leaders, including partners and client-facing professionals.
• Adept at prioritization, delegation, and managing multiple projects and stakeholder needs simultaneously across regions.
• Culturally agile, comfortable working across countries, cultures, and time zones, and able to adjust communication and design approaches accordingly.
• An effective coach and mentor with an approachable style and proven ability to guide project teams and junior designers.
• Confident in ambiguity; able to navigate global alignment with local adaptation needs with initiative and creativity.

The Ideal Candidate Will Possess:

• Bachelor's degree; advanced training or certification in instructional design, adult learning, or learning technologies preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive success in instructional design, learning development, or related project/learning management roles, ideally within a professional services environment.
• Experience designing programs for mid- to senior-level professionals focused on business development, sales strategy, or client relationship management.
• Demonstrated experience designing blended, virtual, in-person, self-study, and experiential learning solutions across geographies.
• Strong consultative skills with the ability to translate business needs into targeted instructional solutions.
• Experience working with global and offshore vendors, managing timelines, quality standards, and deliverables.
• Strong verbal, written, and visual communication skills with the ability to convey complex ideas in clear, learner-friendly ways.
• Solid PC skills with expert proficiency in MS Office 365.
• Knowledge of compliance requirements for CPE/CPD and regulatory learning standards.
• Ability to travel as needed.

Core Responsibilities:
Growth learning:

• Partner with growth leaders to identify capability gaps impacting revenue (e.g., pipeline development, storytelling, pricing, relationship building).
• Monitor emerging learning trends and tools and assess the viability of incorporating them into new and existing global growth curriculum.
• Translate firm growth strategy into clear, actionable learning experiences tied to client lifecycle moments.
• Establish content development plans and lead build/buy/partner decisions; oversee vendor selection and management.
• Design and deliver programs that build practical business development skills, including opportunity identification, pursuit strategy, and client conversations, and incorporate real client scenarios, deal simulations, and live opportunity work into learning design.
• Align programs to key industry, business and organizational metrics such as pipeline growth, win rates, and cross-selling behaviors to create a program evaluation strategy that measures effectiveness and ROI.
• Reinforce learning through on-the-job sales coaching, application, and feedback loops.

Overall:

• Demonstrate transparency, build things once and share them, seek advice, feedback, openly and proactively share feedback with others in the moment and across time.
• Manage complex learning design projects to meet timelines, budgets, and stakeholder expectations.
• Ensure learning solutions comply with global quality standards, regulatory requirements (CPE/CPD), and firmwide design practices.
• Leverage analytics to evaluate learning impact and inform continuous improvement.
• Coach junior designers and contribute to a collaborative, feedback-rich team culture.
• Build an inclusive and collaborative team culture across global and regional teams.
• Recognize and articulate the value of one's own contribution and the contributions of others regularly with appreciation.

Global Teaming & Cross Cultural Expectations

• Work effectively with team members and stakeholders located across multiple countries and time zones.
• Demonstrate cultural awareness, curiosity, and adaptability when supporting global learners, faculty, and leaders.
• Adjust communication and working styles to accommodate the needs of global teammates and diverse participant populations.
• Flex schedules occasionally to support global rhythms (e.g., early morning or evening meetings when required).
• Foster inclusive collaboration to ensure global alignment while respecting regional differences.

The base salary range for this position is between $104,000 and $156,000. Placement within the pay range is at Grant Thornton's discretion, and it is based on multiple factors, including but not limited to, job -related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, progression within the role, geographic location, and internal equity. At Grant Thornton, compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.
About Us
At Grant Thornton, we believe in making business more personal and building trust into every result - for our clients and you. Here, we go beyond your expectations of a career in professional services by offering a career path with more: more opportunity, more flexibility, and more support. It's what makes us different, and we think being different makes us better.
In the U.S., Grant Thornton delivers professional services through two specialized entities: Grant Thornton LLP, a licensed, certified public accounting (CPA) firm that provides audit and assurance services - and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC (not a licensed CPA firm), which exclusively provides non-attest offerings, including tax and advisory services.
In 2025, Grant Thornton formed a multinational, multidisciplinary platform with Grant Thornton Ireland. The platform offers a premier Trans-Atlantic advisory and tax practice, as well as independent American and Irish audit practices. With $2.7 billion in revenues and more than 50 offices spanning the U.S., Ireland and other territories, the platform delivers a singular client experience that includes enhanced solutions and capabilities, backed by powerful technologies and a roster of 12,000 quality-driven professionals enjoying exceptional career-growth opportunities and a distinctive cross-border culture.
Grant Thornton is part of the Grant Thornton International Limited network, which provides access to its member firms in more than 150 global markets.
About the Team
The team you're about to join is ready to help you thrive. Here's how:
• Whether it's your work location, weekly schedule, or flex time off, we empower you with the options to work the way that it best serves your clients and your life. Consistent with the firm's hybrid work model, this position will require in-person attendance at least three days per week, either at a GT office or client site.
• Here, you are supported to prioritize your overall well-being through work-life integration options that work best for you and those in your household.
• We understand that your needs, responsibilities and experiences are different - and we think that's a good thing. That's why we support you with personalized and comprehensive benefits that recognize and empower all the identities, roles and aspirations that make you, well, you. See how at www.gt.com/careers
• When it comes to inclusion, we are committed to doing more than checking boxes. Explore all the ways we're taking action for diversity, equity & inclusion at www.gt.com/careers
Here's what you can expect next:
If you apply and are selected to interview, a Grant Thornton team member will reach out to you to schedule a time to connect. We encourage you to also check out other roles that may be a good fit for you or get to know us a little bit better at www.gt.com/careers.
Benefits:
We understand that your needs, responsibilities and experiences are different, and we think that's a good thing. That's why we support you with personalized and comprehensive benefits that recognize and empower all the identities, roles and aspirations that make you, well, you. For an overview of our benefit offerings, please visit: https://www.grantthornton.com/careers/rewards-and-benefits

• Benefits for internship positions: Grant Thornton interns are eligible to participate in the firm's medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm's employee assistance program. Interns also receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave and are paid for firm holidays that fall within their internship period.

• Benefits for seasonal employee positions: Grant Thornton seasonal employees are eligible to participate in the firm's medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm's employee assistance program. Seasonal employees may also be eligible to participate in the firm's 401(k) savings plan and employee retirement plan in accordance with applicable plan terms and eligibility requirements. Seasonal employees receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave.

Grant Thornton employees may be eligible for a discretionary, annual bonus based on individual and firm performance, subject to the terms, conditions and eligibility criteria of the applicable bonus plan or program. Interns and seasonal employees are not eligible for bonus compensation.
Additional Details:
It is the policy of Grant Thornton to promote equal employment opportunities. All personnel decisions (including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, working conditions, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, evaluations, and termination) are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital or civil union status, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic predisposition or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws, it is the policy of Grant Thornton to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. To make an accommodation request, please contact HRHelp@us.gt.com.
For Los Angeles Applicants only: We will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.
For Massachusetts Applicants only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Grant Thornton does not require or administer lie detector tests as a condition of employment or continued employment.