Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Education Specialist

🎯 Role Definition

As an Education Specialist, you are the architect and champion of learning within our organization. You will be responsible for the entire lifecycle of our educational programs, from conducting initial needs analyses to designing engaging curricula and evaluating their impact. This role requires a blend of creativity, pedagogical expertise, and project management acumen to create innovative learning solutions that empower our teams and stakeholders. You'll work cross-functionally, translating complex concepts into accessible, effective, and memorable educational content for a diverse audience.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Corporate Trainer
K-12 or Higher Education Teacher
Instructional Designer
HR Coordinator with a focus on training

Advancement To:

Senior Education Specialist / Lead Instructional Designer
Learning and Development (L&D) Manager
Director of Education / Head of Learning
Curriculum Director

Lateral Moves:

Program Manager
Change Management Specialist
UX Designer (Learning Experience focus)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Design, develop, and implement comprehensive and scalable educational curricula and instructional materials aligned with organizational goals and adult learning principles.
Conduct thorough needs assessments and learning gap analyses through surveys, interviews, and data analysis to identify and prioritize training requirements for diverse audiences.
Facilitate engaging and interactive training sessions, workshops, and webinars using a variety of instructional techniques and formats, including virtual instructor-led training (vILT) and in-person sessions.
Collaborate closely with subject matter experts (SMEs) across various departments to gather, synthesize, and validate content, ensuring accuracy and relevance for educational programs.
Utilize e-learning authoring tools (e.g., Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate) to create interactive and engaging digital learning modules, simulations, and assessments.
Manage the full lifecycle of educational projects, from initial concept and scoping through to delivery and post-launch evaluation, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget.
Develop and implement robust evaluation strategies based on models like Kirkpatrick's to measure learning effectiveness, knowledge retention, behavior change, and business impact.
Administer and maintain the Learning Management System (LMS), including course deployment, user enrollment, progress tracking, and generating reports on learning activities.
Stay current with emerging trends, best practices, and new technologies in instructional design, educational technology, and adult learning theory to drive continuous improvement.
Create and maintain a comprehensive repository of learning resources, including e-learning modules, job aids, video tutorials, facilitator guides, and participant workbooks.
Provide coaching and "train-the-trainer" support to internal facilitators and managers to ensure consistent, high-quality delivery of educational content.
Adapt and localize instructional content to meet the specific cultural, regional, and linguistic needs of a global audience.
Partner with leadership and key stakeholders to define key performance indicators (KPIs) and success metrics for educational initiatives, reporting regularly on program impact and ROI.
Design and produce multimedia learning elements, such as instructional videos, podcasts, and infographics, to enhance the learning experience and accommodate different learning styles.
Ensure all educational materials are designed with accessibility in mind, adhering to standards like WCAG to be inclusive for all learners.

Secondary Functions

Lead curriculum review cycles, systematically gathering feedback from learners and stakeholders to drive the continuous improvement and iteration of educational offerings.
Develop personalized learning paths and competency frameworks to support career development and targeted skill-building for individuals and teams.
Manage relationships with external vendors, including content providers, technology platforms, and instructional design contractors, to supplement internal capabilities.
Facilitate focus groups and user testing sessions to pilot new learning materials and technologies, gathering user feedback to refine solutions before full-scale deployment.
Analyze learning analytics and user data to identify trends, insights, and opportunities for program enhancement and content optimization.
Author and maintain clear, concise documentation for training programs, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and learning systems.
Champion a culture of continuous learning and professional development throughout the organization by promoting learning opportunities and sharing success stories.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Instructional Design & Curriculum Development: Deep knowledge of creating effective, engaging learning journeys from scratch.
E-Learning Authoring Tools: Proficiency in software like Articulate Storyline 360, Adobe Captivate, or similar tools.
Learning Management System (LMS) Administration: Experience managing platforms such as Cornerstone, Canvas, Moodle, or Docebo.
Adult Learning Principles: Strong understanding and practical application of andragogy, ADDIE, SAM, and other instructional models.
Needs Analysis & Evaluation: Skilled in conducting gap analyses and measuring training effectiveness using models like the Kirkpatrick Model.
Multimedia Production: Basic to intermediate skills in video and audio editing for creating learning assets.
Project Management: Ability to manage multiple learning projects simultaneously, from intake to completion, using tools like Asana, Trello, or Jira.

Soft Skills

Communication & Presentation: Exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to distill complex information into clear, compelling messages.
Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: Adept at building relationships and working effectively with SMEs, leaders, and learners across all levels.
Creativity & Innovation: A knack for developing fresh, engaging learning solutions that move beyond traditional methods.
Analytical & Problem-Solving: Strong ability to analyze data, identify learning needs, and develop effective solutions to address performance gaps.
Adaptability & Flexibility: Thrives in a fast-paced environment and can pivot quickly to meet changing business needs.
Empathy: Ability to understand and design for the learner's perspective, creating user-centered learning experiences.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field.

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree in Instructional Design, Adult Learning, Education Technology, or Organizational Development.
Certifications such as CPTD (Certified Professional in Talent Development) or an Instructional Design Certificate.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Education / Adult Learning
Instructional Design / Education Technology
Human Resources / Organizational Psychology
Communications

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-5+ years of direct experience in an instructional design, corporate training, or education specialist role.

Preferred:

Experience in a fast-growing tech, healthcare, or corporate environment.
A strong portfolio showcasing a variety of completed projects, including e-learning modules, instructor-led training materials, and blended learning programs.
Proven experience managing the full project lifecycle of training initiatives.