Learning And Development Manager Jobs in Gardner, KS

The Lead Instructional Designer is a key contributor responsible for designing and implementing engaging learning experiences that support employee execution and business objectives. Working closely with subject matter experts (SMEs) and stakeholders, the individual will develop curriculum, e-learning, job aids, and other learning solutions while helping establish consistent learning standards and practices across the organization. This role is a senior individual contributor who combines instructional design expertise with hands-on content development to deliver practical, scalable learning solutions.

A key focus of this position is expanding enterprise learning development capabilities by designing and maintaining learning programs and assets that can be efficiently managed and scaled within the organization. This is a highly visible execution-focused role that requires the ability to apply instructional design best practices while developing curriculum, learning content, facilitation materials, and scalable learning solutions that will support employees, field-based contractor networks, clients, and other external stakeholders as driven by organizational priorities. The role also evaluates learning effectiveness, gathers actionable learner and stakeholder feedback, and continuously improves learning solutions to ensure relevance, impact, and alignment with business outcomes.

The Lead Instructional Designer functions as an individual influencer with no direct reports, leading through expertise and execution. Success in this role is defined by the ability to deliver meaningful learning solutions quickly while contributing to Drug Free Sport International’s long-term learning strategy and capability-building efforts.

What You Will Do:

Framework Design

• Apply and continuously improve instructional design methodologies and standards.
• Support the development and standardization of learning frameworks and curriculum across the organization.
• Translate business challenges and performance needs into practical and scalable learning solutions.
• Partner with department leaders to validate demand, prioritize initiatives, and align learning solutions with organizational goals.
• Evaluate current learning framework, programs, and delivery approaches to identify gaps and opportunities for retooling, redeployment, or repurposing.
• Partner with stakeholders to optimize the use of learning technologies and platforms.

Curriculum Development & Content Creation (Hands-On)

• Partner with SMEs across departments to extract expertise and convert it into structured, role-based curriculum.
• Design and support certification, recertification, and competency-based learning pathways for field-based personnel, contractor networks, employees, clients and/or other external stakeholders.
• Design and build end-to-end learning experiences, including interactive e-learning, microlearning modules, videos, playbooks, and other digital platforms.
• Serve as the primary liaison for outsourced learning development projects, providing direction to third-party content developers and contributors and ensuring deliverables meet quality standards, business objectives, project timelines, and budget expectations.
• Design learning experiences that are culturally relevant, accessible to non-native English speakers, and effective across diverse global audiences.
• Develop content and learning approaches aligned to performance outcomes, competencies, and program expectations while helping participants navigate complex and occasionally conflicting client requirements.
• Establish consistent structure, standards, and formats across learning assets to support scalability, reuse, and alignment across divisions and programs.
• Partner with quality and operational leaders to incorporate audit findings, corrective actions, and performance trends into training content and remediation pathways.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of learning programs and courses through learner feedback, performance data, and business outcomes, and continuously enhance content and learning experiences to meet evolving needs.
• Maintain organized development and evaluation records, and prepare course effectiveness reports that capture learner satisfaction, key insights, and opportunities for continuous improvement.

Learning Innovation & Future Readiness

• Remain current on instructional design best practices, adult learning theory, and emerging technologies, including AI-enabled learning.
• Evaluate how evolving technologies, including AI, may reshape training needs, delivery models, and future learning investments.
• Assess the effectiveness of current and new approaches to inform long-term learning strategy decisions.

All external applicants must submit a cover letter and resume. All requested materials must be submitted for consideration. This position is desired to be filled as soon as possible and application materials will be reviewed on an on-going basis until filled.

What We Are Looking For:

• 3-6 years of instructional design, curriculum development, training development, or learning and development experience; advanced education, certifications, or equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of years of experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Instructional Design, Learning & Development, Education, Organizational Development, Communications, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Experience independently designing, developing, and maintaining training content from concept through implementation.
• Strong grounding in adult learning theory and instructional design methodologies.
• Experience translating complex operational knowledge into practical, scalable learning solutions.
• Experience supporting field-based, contractor, or distributed workforces preferred.
• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, evolving environments with multiple variables and constraints.
• Proven ability to synthesize perspectives, requirements, and feedback from multiple stakeholders into practical solutions, build consensus, and drive alignment around a final product or learning approach.
• Strong facilitation, communication, relationship-building, and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively across functions and without direct authority.
• Curiosity and aptitude for leveraging emerging technologies, including AI-enabled tools, to enhance learning design, development, and delivery.
• Proficiency with e-learning content development, multimedia creation, and digital learning technologies, including course authoring tools, video editing platforms, learning management systems (LMS), and content management systems (CMS).
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications.

Additional Requirements

• Successfully complete pre-employment screening requirements, including a drug test as applicable by state, background check, reference checks, confidentiality agreement, and verification of education and credentials.

Nice to Have Experience

• Background in regulated, compliance-driven, or operational environments.
• Familiarity with AI tools or technology-enabled learning solutions.
• Experience building programs in early-stage or evolving organizations.
• Experience developing or delivering training for international, multi-cultural, or multi-language audiences.
• Experience facilitating in-person training delivery.
• Familiarity with Articulate 360 or other e-learning platforms.

Key Competencies:

• Learning Analysis: Identifies learning needs and translates them into practical training solutions.
• Instructional Design: Applies adult learning principles to create effective learning experiences.
• Curriculum Development: Designs scalable, competency-based training programs.
• Content Development: Creates engaging digital and instructor-led learning assets.
• Stakeholder Partnership: Collaborates effectively with SMEs, leaders, and cross-functional teams.
• Influence: Builds consensus and drives outcomes without formal authority.
• Communication & Facilitation: Communicates clearly and engages diverse audiences.
• Problem Solving: Translates complex challenges into practical learning solutions.
• Project Management: Prioritizes work and delivers results in a fast-paced environment.
• Adaptability: Thrives in ambiguity and evolving business needs.
• Learning Technology: Effectively leverages learning platforms and emerging technologies.
• Innovation: Continually improves learning approaches and embraces new ideas.