Location: Hybrid/Remote (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Employment Type: Full-Time

Story Arc Learning is a woman-owned small business located in Northern Kentucky. We  provide custom learning solutions committed to transforming learning through the power of storytelling. Our clients span the globe and industries. We often work closely with local, national, and global NGOs tackling major issues, such as the climate crisis. We are committed to creating learning content that matters, positively impacting organizations, communities, employees. 

We’re seeking a highly skilled Lead Instructional Designer to join our growing team. This role is ideal for a creative strategist who thrives at the intersection of storytelling, learning science, and human-centered design. You will lead complex instructional design projects, collaborate directly with clients, support sales initiatives, and help elevate the quality and innovation of our learning products.

This role reports to the CEO and does not require personnel management, but it does require leadership, ownership, and excellent client-facing communication.

What You’ll Do

Instructional Design Leadership

• Lead the design and development of high-quality learning solutions, including e-learning, instructor-led training, job aids, and blended learning experiences.

• Conduct needs assessments and collaborate with clients to identify learning gaps, goals, and design requirements.

• Create detailed instructional design plans and develop engaging, interactive, narrative-driven learning experiences that reflect best practices in adult learning and storytelling.

• Review instructional materials produced by internal and contract team members to ensure consistency, quality, and alignment with standards.

• Coordinate contract instructional designers and developers to ensure work accuracy, quality, and alignment with project plans.

• Proactively identify scope risks, roadblocks, or design challenges and communicate them to project leadership.

Project Management

• Manage multiple instructional design projects at once—balancing scope, budget, and timelines.

• Collaborate with clients, SMEs, and internal teams to gather content, clarify requirements, and align deliverables to goals.

• Track project progress and make timely adjustments to ensure successful completion.

• Escalate risk, scope changes, or blockers as needed.

Sales & Marketing Support

• Work with the sales team to shape client solutions aligned to their needs and our capabilities.

• Participate in client meetings and presentations to communicate design approaches and project vision.

• Support proposals by drafting design plans, timelines, and level-of-effort estimates.

• Support conference events or appearances when needed.

Training & Facilitation

• Help design and facilitate workshops, webinars, and client training sessions focused on storytelling, instructional design, and best practices.

• Create materials and resources to support workshop activities.

• Evaluate training effectiveness and recommend improvements.

Internal Support

• Contribute to internal templates, design systems, and best-practice documentation.

• Support internal content redesign and strategic instructional design initiatives.

• Assist with improving instructional systems, QA workflows, and operational processes.

• Some travel may be required.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Instructional Design, or closely related field

• 5–7+ years of experience leading instructional design projects in a client-facing or consulting environment.

• Proven experience developing e-learning, ILT, blended learning, job aids, and other learning assets.

• Strong understanding of adult learning theory, instructional design models (ADDIE, SAM, etc.), and learning science.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with excellent organizational skills.

• Strong communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills.

• Ability to translate complex information into engaging, learner-centered content.

• Experience using authoring tools (e.g., Articulate Storyline, Rise, Captivate, Camtasia, Vyond, and others) and content development software.

• Experience with and comfort working in a fast-paced consulting environment with evolving client needs.
  

• Ability to give and receive feedback constructively and uphold quality standards.

Preferred

• Experience integrating storytelling frameworks into instructional design (a major plus for Story Arc Learning).

• Experience working with nonprofits, government agencies, or workforce development audiences.

• Familiarity with accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and inclusive design practices.

• Experience supporting sales activities such as proposals, scoping, or client pitches.

Benefits

• Hybrid/Remote workplace

• Unlimited PTO after first 3 months of employment

• Paid holidays

• Flexible schedule

• Professional development opportunities

• Collaborative, story-driven, creative culture

Salary

The salary range for this position is $65,000 to $80,000 per year based on experience. The anticipated start date is early January.

This position is based in Cincinnati and operates in a hybrid work model.

However, we will consider fully remote arrangements for highly qualified candidates.

Apply online - storyarclearning.com/join-our-team