Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for E-Learning Project Manager

🎯 Role Definition

Are you passionate about the intersection of education, technology, and project management? This role requires a strategic and results-driven E-Learning Project Manager to join our innovative Learning and Development team. In this role, you will be the central point of contact and the driving force behind our digital learning projects. You will collaborate closely with instructional designers, subject matter experts (SMEs), multimedia developers, and stakeholders across the organization to transform learning objectives into engaging and effective e-learning solutions.

The ideal candidate is a master of organization, an excellent communicator, and a proactive problem-solver who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. You will be responsible for the entire project lifecycle, from initial concept and scoping to final delivery and impact analysis. If you are ready to take ownership and make a significant impact on our organization's learning culture, we want to hear from you.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Instructional Designer with project lead experience
Corporate Trainer or L&D Coordinator
Associate Project Manager (in a tech or creative field)

Advancement To:

Senior E-Learning Program Manager
Director of Learning and Development
Manager of Instructional Design
Head of Education Technology

Lateral Moves:

Product Manager (EdTech)
Instructional Design Manager
Learning Systems Administrator/Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Spearhead the end-to-end project management of multiple, concurrent e-learning initiatives, from initial scoping and needs analysis through to final deployment and post-launch evaluation.
Develop comprehensive project plans, including detailed timelines, resource allocation, budget tracking, and risk mitigation strategies for all digital learning projects.
Act as the primary liaison between stakeholders, instructional designers, multimedia developers, and subject matter experts to ensure clear communication and alignment on project goals.
Facilitate project kick-off meetings, regular status updates, and post-mortem reviews to maintain project momentum and foster continuous improvement.
Define project scope, objectives, and deliverables in collaboration with senior management and stakeholders, ensuring technical feasibility and instructional integrity.
Manage the allocation of internal and external resources, including vendors and freelancers, to ensure projects are staffed appropriately for successful execution.
Proactively identify, track, and resolve project-related issues, risks, and dependencies, escalating critical concerns to leadership when necessary.
Oversee the quality assurance (QA) and testing process for all e-learning content, ensuring it is error-free, functional across required platforms, and meets accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG).
Maintain meticulous project documentation, including project charters, status reports, change logs, and communication plans, using project management software like Jira, Asana, or Smartsheet.
Manage vendor relationships and contracts, including the sourcing and selection of third-party providers for content development, voice-over talent, or specialized technology.
Coordinate the review and feedback cycles with SMEs and key stakeholders, ensuring feedback is consolidated, clear, and actionable for the development team.
Ensure all e-learning modules are properly configured, uploaded, and tested within our Learning Management System (LMS).
Develop and manage project budgets, providing regular forecasts and reports on expenditures to ensure projects are delivered within financial constraints.
Champion project management best practices and agile methodologies within the L&D team to enhance efficiency, collaboration, and speed-to-market.
Create and maintain a master project schedule for the entire e-learning portfolio, providing leadership with a clear view of all ongoing and upcoming initiatives.
Collaborate with instructional designers to ensure that learning solutions are instructionally sound and align with adult learning principles and business objectives.
Monitor key project performance indicators (KPIs) and learner engagement metrics post-launch to measure the effectiveness and ROI of training programs.
Lead the technical and functional aspects of course deployment, including SCORM/xAPI package testing and integration with various learning platforms.
Manage the localization and translation process for global e-learning courses, coordinating with regional stakeholders and translation services.
Serve as a subject matter expert on e-learning development processes and technologies, providing guidance and support to the broader L&D team.
Conduct thorough needs analyses with business units to accurately define learning requirements and translate them into actionable project plans.

Secondary Functions

Support the selection and implementation of new learning technologies, authoring tools, and project management software.
Contribute to the continuous improvement of our instructional design and development methodologies.
Collaborate with the broader L&D team to ensure alignment of e-learning projects with the overall organizational training strategy.
Participate in departmental strategy sessions and contribute to the annual learning and development roadmap.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Advanced Project Management: Expertise in project management methodologies (Agile, Scrum, Waterfall) and proficiency with software such as Jira, Asana, Trello, or Microsoft Project.
LMS Administration: Strong working knowledge of Learning Management Systems (e.g., Cornerstone OnDemand, Docebo, Moodle, Canvas) including course uploading, user management, and reporting.
E-Learning Authoring Tools: Familiarity with industry-standard authoring tools like Articulate 360 (Storyline, Rise), Adobe Captivate, and Camtasia.
Instructional Design Principles: Solid understanding of adult learning theory, ADDIE, SAM, and other instructional design models.
Budget and Resource Management: Demonstrated ability to create and manage project budgets, track expenses, and allocate resources effectively.
Technical Standards: Knowledge of e-learning standards such as SCORM, xAPI (Tin Can), and AICC.
Vendor Management: Experience sourcing, negotiating with, and managing third-party vendors and contractors.
Data Analysis & Reporting: Ability to analyze project data and learner metrics to generate insightful reports and demonstrate training impact.
Quality Assurance (QA) Processes: Experience in developing and executing test plans for digital content to ensure quality and functionality.
Multimedia Production Awareness: Understanding of the video and audio production lifecycle for learning content.

Soft Skills

Exceptional Communication: Superior verbal, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to build relationships, manage expectations, and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
Leadership & Influence: Ability to lead cross-functional teams without direct authority, fostering a collaborative and positive project environment.
Problem-Solving: A proactive and analytical approach to identifying challenges, evaluating options, and implementing effective solutions.
Meticulous Organization & Time Management: The capacity to manage multiple competing priorities, deadlines, and deliverables with impeccable attention to detail.
Adaptability & Resilience: Thrives in a dynamic environment and can pivot quickly in response to changing requirements and feedback.
Negotiation Skills: Capable of facilitating compromises and reaching agreements between team members and stakeholders with differing opinions.
Strategic Thinking: Ability to see the bigger picture and align project-level tasks with broader departmental and organizational goals.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field.

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree in Instructional Design, Educational Technology, Project Management, or a related discipline.
PMP, CAPM, or Agile (e.g., CSM) certification is highly desirable.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Educational Technology
Instructional Design
Project Management
Business Administration
Communications

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

5-8 years of progressive experience in project management, with a minimum of 3 years dedicated specifically to managing the full lifecycle of e-learning, instructional design, or digital media projects.

Preferred:

Experience working in a corporate L&D environment or a digital learning agency.
Demonstrable portfolio of successfully launched e-learning projects.
Experience managing projects within an Agile/Scrum framework.