Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Learning Experience Designer

🎯 Role Definition

Are you passionate about transforming complex information into engaging, effective, and beautiful learning experiences? We are searching for a visionary Learning Experience Designer (LXD) to join our dynamic team and help shape the future of learning at our organization.

In this pivotal role, you will be the architect of our learning ecosystem, responsible for designing and developing innovative learning solutions that drive performance, foster critical skills, and enhance our company culture. You'll collaborate with subject matter experts and stakeholders across the business to create a wide range of learning content—from interactive eLearning modules and virtual instructor-led training to performance support tools and immersive learning scenarios. If you are a blend of a creative storyteller, a savvy technologist, and a strategic thinker who puts the learner at the center of everything you do, we want to hear from you.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Instructional Designer
Corporate Trainer / Facilitator
K-12 or Higher-Ed Teacher / Educator
Multimedia or Graphic Designer

Advancement To:

Senior or Lead Learning Experience Designer
Learning Program Manager
Manager of Learning & Development
Director of Talent Development

Lateral Moves:

UX Designer
Change Management Specialist
People Analytics Specialist
Program or Project Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Apply learner-centered design principles and adult learning theories to design and develop comprehensive learning programs, including eLearning, instructor-led training (ILT), virtual instructor-led training (VILT), and blended learning solutions.
Conduct thorough needs analyses by partnering with stakeholders and subject matter experts (SMEs) to identify performance gaps, define clear learning objectives, and determine the most effective instructional strategies.
Create detailed design documents, storyboards, scripts, and prototypes that clearly outline the course structure, content, activities, and assessment methods for stakeholder review and approval.
massaging content from raw SME inputs into polished, instructionally sound deliverables.
Develop highly engaging and interactive eLearning courses using authoring tools such as Articulate Storyline 360, Rise 360, and Adobe Captivate, incorporating branching scenarios, simulations, and gamification elements.
Design and produce a variety of learning assets, including videos, infographics, job aids, facilitator guides, and participant workbooks, ensuring they are visually appealing and instructionally sound.
Manage the end-to-end lifecycle of multiple learning projects simultaneously, from initial scoping and planning through development, review, implementation, and evaluation, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.
Collaborate extensively with a diverse range of SMEs to gather, synthesize, and structure complex technical or business content into easily digestible material for the target audience.
Establish and implement robust evaluation strategies, using frameworks like the Kirkpatrick Model, to measure the effectiveness and business impact of learning programs, and use data to inform future design iterations.
Administer and maintain learning content within the Learning Management System (LMS), including uploading courses, managing learner enrollments, and reporting on completion and engagement metrics.
Champion and ensure all learning content adheres to accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG 2.1) to create inclusive experiences for all learners.
Facilitate pilot sessions and train-the-trainer workshops to prepare facilitators and gather feedback for refining course materials and delivery methods.
Stay at the forefront of learning technology trends, tools, and innovative instructional design methodologies, and champion their adoption to continuously improve the quality and impact of our learning solutions.
Utilize graphic design, video editing, and audio production skills to create high-quality multimedia elements that enhance the learning experience and reinforce key concepts.
Develop and maintain design templates, style guides, and best practice documentation to ensure consistency and quality across all learning materials.
Create and implement communication and launch plans for new learning initiatives to drive awareness, adoption, and engagement among target learner populations.
Design and develop valid and reliable assessments to measure knowledge acquisition, skill development, and on-the-job application.
Revise and update existing learning materials to ensure they remain current, relevant, and effective.

Secondary Functions

Act as a trusted consultant to business leaders and stakeholders, providing expert guidance on learning, performance improvement, and change management strategies.
Manage relationships with external vendors, contractors, and content providers to augment in-house capabilities and procure specialized learning resources.
Contribute to the strategic planning and roadmap for the Learning & Development function, aligning learning initiatives with broader business goals.
Participate in cross-functional project teams, representing the L&D perspective and ensuring learning components are integrated into major company initiatives.
Curate and organize third-party content libraries and resources to provide learners with self-service and just-in-time learning opportunities.
Support the facilitation of key workshops or training sessions as needed, demonstrating best practices in virtual and in-person delivery.
Mentor junior team members and share expertise to help build instructional design capability across the organization.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

eLearning Authoring Tools: Expert-level proficiency with Articulate 360 (Storyline, Rise) and a strong command of Adobe Captivate.
Multimedia Production: Strong proficiency with the Adobe Creative Cloud suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, Audition) for creating custom graphics, videos, and audio assets.
un-centered design.
LMS/LXP Administration: Experience with Learning Management System (LMS) and Learning Experience Platform (LXP) administration, including content publishing (SCORM/xAPI) and reporting.
Instructional Design Methodology: In-depth knowledge and practical application of instructional design models (ADDIE, SAM, Action Mapping) and adult learning theories (Andragogy, Cognitive Load Theory).
Video & Audio Editing: Proficiency in editing video and audio to produce high-quality multimedia learning content that is both engaging and professional.
Data Analysis: Familiarity with survey and data analysis tools (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Microsoft Forms, Excel) to measure learning effectiveness and report on impact.
Accessibility Standards: Knowledge of web accessibility standards (WCAG) and their practical application to learning content design.

Soft Skills

Communication & Storytelling: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex ideas into clear, concise, and compelling narratives.
Project Management: Strong project management and organizational skills, with a proven ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Stakeholder Management: Excellent collaboration and consulting skills, with a knack for building trusted relationships with SMEs and business leaders at all levels.
Creativity & Innovation: A high degree of creativity, a user-centric mindset, and a passion for pushing the boundaries to create engaging and memorable experiences.
Analytical Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, capable of conducting needs analysis, identifying root causes of performance issues, and designing targeted solutions.
Adaptability & Growth Mindset: A continuous desire to learn new tools, technologies, and methodologies, with the flexibility to pivot and adapt to changing business needs.
Empathy: The ability to deeply understand the learner's perspective, challenges, and motivations to design solutions that truly meet their needs.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree

Relevant Fields of Study:

Instructional Design, Learning Sciences
Educational Technology, Adult Education
Human Resources, Organizational Psychology
Communications

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-7 years of direct experience in instructional design or learning experience design, preferably within a corporate or high-growth technology environment.

Preferred:

A strong portfolio of work that showcases your design process and a diverse range of learning solutions (e.g., eLearning, microlearning, videos, instructor-led materials, job aids).
Experience designing learning for varied audiences, such as sales, customer support, technical teams, and leadership.