Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Digital Learning Specialist

🎯 Role Definition

The Digital Learning Specialist is responsible for end-to-end creation and optimization of digital learning experiences that align with organizational objectives. Working cross-functionally with HR, subject matter experts, product teams, and external vendors, the specialist applies instructional design principles, authoring tools, multimedia production, and LMS administration to produce high-quality, compliant, and measurable learning solutions. Key priorities include improving learner engagement, reducing time-to-proficiency, ensuring accessibility (WCAG/ADA), and enabling data-driven learning strategies using xAPI, SCORM, and learning analytics.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Training Coordinator or Training Specialist
Junior Instructional Designer / eLearning Developer
Learning Content Developer or Multimedia Producer

Advancement To:

Senior Instructional Designer / Senior Digital Learning Specialist
Learning & Development Manager or Manager, Digital Learning
Director of Learning & Development or Head of Talent Development

Lateral Moves:

Learning Experience Designer (LXD)
eLearning Developer / Multimedia Developer
Learning Technology Manager or LMS Administrator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Design end-to-end digital learning programs using adult learning theory and evidence-based instructional design models (ADDIE, SAM, Merrill’s Principles, Bloom’s taxonomy) to deliver measurable performance outcomes, competency development, and business impact.
Develop high-quality e-learning modules and microlearning assets using authoring tools such as Articulate Storyline, Articulate Rise, Adobe Captivate, or Lectora; ensure SCORM/xAPI packaging and LMS compatibility for seamless tracking and reporting.
Create engaging multimedia learning content — including video scripts, storyboards, motion graphics, narrated slide decks, screen recordings, and interactive simulations — collaborating with video editors and multimedia producers to ensure professional production standards.
Lead end-to-end LMS administration tasks: course setup, user provisioning, enrollment automation, catalog maintenance, learning pathways, role-based permissions, and system integrations with HRIS/SSO via LTI or API connections.
Partner with subject matter experts to perform task and content analysis, define learning objectives, map competencies, and translate complex information into digestible, outcome-focused learning experiences.
Construct and maintain assessment strategies (formative and summative), knowledge checks, branching scenarios, and competency-based evaluations to validate learning transfer and ensure readiness for job performance.
Implement and manage blended learning solutions that combine instructor-led training (ILT), virtual instructor-led training (vILT), self-paced e-learning, coaching, and on-the-job resources to optimize retention and application.
Apply universal design and accessibility best practices (WCAG 2.1/ADA compliance), including captioning, audio descriptions, keyboard navigation, and clear content structure to make learning inclusive for all learners.
Use learning analytics and data visualization tools (LMS reports, xAPI analytics, Tableau, Power BI, Google Data Studio) to monitor participation, completion, engagement, competency attainment, and to derive insights for continuous improvement.
Design learner journeys and learning pathways aligned to role-based curricula, career ladders, certification programs, and succession planning to increase internal mobility and skill readiness.
Manage version control, content governance, and quality assurance processes for digital learning assets, ensuring consistency, currency, and alignment with legal/regulatory requirements and corporate branding.
Optimize content for mobile learning and responsive design, ensuring content renders correctly across desktop, tablet, and mobile devices and leverages adaptive learning techniques where appropriate.
Support change management efforts by developing learner communications, implementation plans, facilitator guides, job aids, quick reference materials, and FAQs to increase adoption and reduce friction.
Oversee vendor relationships and procurement for external course content, authoring services, platform licenses, or instructional media, including RFP participation, vendor evaluation, and contract oversight.
Facilitate train-the-trainer sessions and certification programs for internal facilitators and SMEs to scale delivery and ensure pedagogical consistency across cohorts.
Maintain and enforce metadata standards, taxonomy, and content tagging to improve searchability, discoverability, and reuse of digital learning assets within the LMS or Learning Experience Platform (LXP).
Prototype and run pilot programs (A/B testing) for new digital formats, gamification elements, and engagement strategies; measure effectiveness and scale proven innovations.
Implement and maintain content security, copyright compliance, and data privacy safeguards in learning materials, including secure handling of learner data and adherence to GDPR, CCPA, or other regional regulations.
Create and manage project plans, timelines, budgets, and resource allocation for multiple concurrent learning initiatives, and report status and ROI to stakeholders and leadership.
Conduct ongoing learner needs assessments, skills gap analyses, and post-training evaluations (Kirkpatrick Levels 1–4) to refine curriculum and demonstrate learning impact on business metrics.
Lead continuous improvement cycles by synthesizing user feedback, help desk tickets, support queries, and learning metrics to prioritize enhancements and reduce drop-off rates.

Secondary Functions

Provide frontline troubleshooting and technical support for learners encountering LMS issues, playback errors, or access problems; escalate to IT or vendor support when required.
Maintain and curate a central repository of templates, reusable components, and design patterns to accelerate development and ensure brand consistency across learning assets.
Collaborate with Talent Acquisition to develop onboarding and new-hire learning journeys that reduce time-to-productivity and improve retention.
Support ad-hoc training requests, short-form explainer videos, and rapid e-learning development using rapid authoring techniques when timelines require quick turnarounds.
Contribute to the organization’s learning strategy by recommending scalable learning technologies (LXP, microlearning platforms, AI tutoring tools) and piloting integrations to improve learner personalization.
Assist in content localization and translation workflows to ensure culturally appropriate and accurate delivery for global audiences.
Participate in community-of-practice groups, knowledge-sharing forums, and vendor conferences to stay current with digital learning trends and emerging learning technologies.
Document learning design decisions, technical specifications, and standard operating procedures to support knowledge transfer and audit readiness.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Expert use of authoring tools: Articulate Storyline, Articulate Rise, Adobe Captivate, Lectora, or similar, with proven published SCORM/xAPI packages.
LMS administration experience with platforms such as Moodle, Canvas, Cornerstone, Docebo, SAP SuccessFactors Learning, or Blackboard, including user management and reporting.
Experience implementing and analyzing xAPI (Tin Can) statements and integrating learning event data with analytics platforms (Power BI, Tableau, Google Data Studio).
Video production and editing skills using tools like Camtasia, Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or Vyond; ability to script, shoot, and produce short-form instructional videos.
Working knowledge of HTML5, CSS, basic JavaScript, and responsive design principles for troubleshooting and customizing web-based learning content.
Familiarity with accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1) and accessibility testing tools (screen readers, keyboard navigation testing).
Competence with assessment design, psychometrics basics, and authoring interactive assessments and branching scenarios.
Experience with content version control, metadata tagging, taxonomy design, and digital asset management systems.
Hands-on experience with rapid prototyping tools (Figma, Adobe XD) to design learner interfaces and interactive mockups.
Knowledge of Agile development methodologies for learning product delivery, including sprint planning and backlog grooming.
Familiarity with learning experience platforms (LXPs) and personalization engines (recommendation systems, adaptive learning engines).
Basic SQL or familiarity with REST APIs for pulling learning data or enabling system integrations is advantageous.

Soft Skills

Strong stakeholder management and facilitation skills: ability to influence SMEs, leaders, and cross-functional teams to align on learning objectives and priorities.
Excellent written and verbal communication: crafting clear learning objectives, concise instructions, compelling learning narratives, and executive-level reports.
Project management mindset with strong organizational skills, ability to manage multiple concurrent projects to deadline and budget.
Analytical and data-driven: comfortable interpreting learning metrics and translating them into actionable recommendations and ROI-focused insights.
Creative problem solving and design thinking orientation to prototype learner-centered experiences that increase engagement and retention.
Attention to detail and a quality-first approach to content review, accessibility compliance, and user experience.
Learner empathy and a strong customer-service orientation to iterate on solutions based on user feedback and support needs.
Adaptability and continuous learning mindset to quickly adopt new tools, methodologies, and evolving instructional trends.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Instructional Design, Educational Technology, Learning & Development, Instructional Systems, Communication, Human Resources, Computer Science, or related field.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree in Instructional Design, Educational Technology, Learning Sciences, Organizational Development, or MBA with a focus on Talent Development; or relevant certifications (ATD CPTD, CPLP, eLearning Guild certifications).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Instructional Design / Educational Technology
Learning & Development / Human Resources
Multimedia Design / Communications
Computer Science / Information Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3–6 years of progressive experience in instructional design, e-learning development, or digital learning roles.

Preferred:

5+ years designing and developing digital learning programs in a corporate or large-scale organizational environment.
Demonstrated experience managing an LMS, implementing SCORM/xAPI, producing multimedia, and delivering measurable learning outcomes.
Experience working in agile teams, managing vendors, and supporting enterprise-wide learning initiatives.
Portfolio demonstrating varied project types: microlearning, full-length eLearning courses, video-based training, blended curricula, and analytics-driven improvements.