1

Instructional Design Project Manager Jobs in California

CA · On-site

$125K - $155K/yr

We take pride in our commitment to research-based design, speed, and efficiency. Position Summary: Silver Creek is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead the development and completion of ...

Showing results 41-60

Instructional Design Project Manager information

See California salary details

$43.9K

$80.3K

$132.7K

How much do instructional design project manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for instructional design project manager in California is $80,271.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,700.00 and $102,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an instructional design project manager?

An Instructional Design Project Manager is a professional who oversees the planning, development, and implementation of educational or training programs. They coordinate teams of instructional designers, subject matter experts, and other stakeholders to ensure that learning materials are delivered on time, within budget, and meet quality standards. Their responsibilities often include managing project timelines, resources, and communication between team members to achieve specific learning objectives. They also monitor progress, evaluate outcomes, and adjust plans as needed to ensure the success of the instructional projects.

How does an instructional design project manager typically collaborate with subject matter experts (SMEs) during course development?

Instructional Design Project Managers work closely with subject matter experts (SMEs) to ensure that course content is accurate, relevant, and engaging for learners. This collaboration often involves scheduling regular meetings, facilitating information sharing, and translating technical or complex concepts into instructional materials. Project managers also coordinate timelines, manage feedback loops, and ensure all stakeholders remain aligned throughout the development process. Effective communication skills and the ability to mediate between creative and technical teams are essential for success in this aspect of the role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an instructional design project manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Instructional Design Project Manager, you need expertise in instructional design principles, project management methodologies, and typically a background in education or a related field. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), authoring tools like Articulate Storyline or Adobe Captivate, and project management software such as Asana or Trello is highly valued. Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills help manage cross-functional teams and ensure stakeholder alignment. These skills and qualities are crucial for delivering effective learning solutions on time and within budget while meeting organizational goals.

What is the difference between Instructional Design Project Manager vs Instructional Designer?

AspectInstructional Design Project ManagerInstructional Designer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Education, Instructional Design, or related field; PMP or project management certifications often preferredBachelor's or Master's in Education, Instructional Design, or related field; certifications like ATD or CPTD beneficial
Work EnvironmentLeads projects, manages teams, coordinates timelines, and oversees instructional developmentDesigns learning materials, develops content, and creates instructional strategies
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in corporate, higher education, and training organizations for project oversightCommonly employed in educational institutions, e-learning companies, and corporate training departments

While both roles focus on instructional development, the Instructional Design Project Manager primarily oversees project execution and team coordination, whereas the Instructional Designer concentrates on creating and designing learning content. Understanding these differences helps organizations assign the right roles for effective training programs.

Are instructional design project managers still in demand?

Instructional design project managers are in ongoing demand due to the growth of e-learning, corporate training, and online education sectors. They typically require skills in curriculum development, project management, and familiarity with tools like Articulate or Adobe Captivate, making their expertise valuable across various industries.

What cities in California are hiring for Instructional Design Project Manager jobs?

Cities in California with the most Instructional Design Project Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Instructional Design Project Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,271 per year, or $38.6 per hour.

Sr. Manager - Instructional Design, Sales Training

SupportFinity™

San Jose, CA • On-site

$145 - $236.50/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Posted 17 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Lead the end‑to‑end development of various sales training content, including e‑learning modules, instructor‑led training, virtual instructor‑led training, microlearning, scenario‑based learning, job aids, and performance support tools.

  • Partner with subject‑matter experts to extract knowledge and translate it into engaging learning content, and oversee the creation of scripts, storyboards, facilitator guides, workbooks, and assessment instruments.

  • Apply evaluation frameworks to measure program effectiveness and build dashboards and reporting mechanisms to communicate impact to senior stakeholders.


Job description

Sr. Manager - Instructional Design, Sales Training

PayPal | Full‑time | San Jose

PayPal is looking for a strategic leader to accelerate sales effectiveness across our global field organization. The Sr. Manager will lead a team of instructional designers and learning specialists, setting the standard for how great sales training is built, delivered and continuously improved in a fast‑moving fintech environment.

Key Responsibilities
  • Define and champion the instructional design philosophy and standards for all sales training content.
  • Select and apply the most appropriate instructional design models (e.g., ADDIE) ensuring adult learning theory and evidence‑based practices are used.
  • Drive a culture of design excellence, setting high standards for quality, creativity and learner experience across all content formats.
  • Lead the end‑to‑end development of rich, multimodal learning experiences including e‑learning modules, instructor‑led training, virtual instructor‑led training, microlearning, scenario‑based learning, job aids and performance support tools.
  • Write and oversee the development of scripts, storyboards, facilitator guides, workbooks and assessment instruments, maintaining a rigorous QA process.
  • Partner with subject‑matter experts to extract knowledge and translate it into engaging learning content.
  • Design comprehensive onboarding curricula and role‑specific learning journeys for SMB, Enterprise and Partner sales organizations.
  • Develop competency frameworks and skill maps to guide content design.
  • Lead training needs analyses and determine learning solutions that address performance gaps.
  • Apply evaluation frameworks (Kirkpatrick, Phillips ROI) to measure program effectiveness.
  • Build dashboards and reporting mechanisms to communicate impact to senior stakeholders.
  • Act as a trusted instructional design advisor, facilitating co‑design sessions and workshops with sales leaders.
  • Partner with global enablement teams to audit and adapt existing learning assets for regional markets.
  • Lead selection and use of authoring tools such as Articulate 360, Rise, Camtasia, Captivate and oversee LMS management.
  • Explore and pilot emerging learning technologies, including AI‑powered coaching, adaptive learning, video‑based learning and mobile‑first design.
  • Continuously update knowledge of instructional design trends and the fintech landscape.
Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Education or related field (Master’s preferred).
  • 8+ years of experience in sales enablement, sales training or sales effectiveness roles.
  • At least 5+ years leading teams in a global or matrix organization.
  • Demonstrated success designing and scaling enterprise‑level sales training programs.
  • Strong understanding of complex B2B and enterprise sales cycles and modern sales methodologies (e.g., Challenger, MEDDICC, SPIN, Sandler).
  • Exceptional communication, facilitation and stakeholder‑influence skills.
  • Experience with learning management systems, enablement platforms, analytics and content management tools.
  • Ability to translate PayPal’s strategic priorities into measurable learning solutions.
Preferred Attributes
  • Certification in instructional design or learning and development (e.g., ATD, CPTD).
  • Portfolio demonstrating a range of learning modalities and design approaches.
  • Experience working in a matrixed, global organization with regional instructional design responsibilities, ideally within fintech or payments.
Compensation

Base pay ranges from $145,000 to $236,500 annually depending on location (Chicago or San Jose). Additional compensation may include an annual bonus, equity or other incentives.

Benefits

PayPal offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life, disability, vision, dental insurance, paid time off and employee share ownership plans.

Equal Opportunity Employer

PayPal provides equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion or sexual orientation. PayPal will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

#J-18808-Ljbffr