Associate Instructional Designer

Job Purpose

The Associate Instructional Designer supports the design, development, and delivery, of effective learning experiences across multiple channels, including classroom instruction, in-store operational training, and leadership development curriculum. This role assists with the creation and maintenance of instructor-led training materials, station-based training guides, participant resources, and job aides used by Certified Trainers and facilitators to deliver consistent, brand and mission-aligned training. The Associate Instructional Designer also regularly facilitates training sessions, supports train-the-trainer efforts and pilot classes for new content, and helps ensure training communications and program enablement tools are clear, practical, and aligned with company mission, values, and brand standards.

Essential Functions

Multi-Channel Learning Design & Delivery Support

• • Develop and support the creation of training content across connected learning channels, including classroom instructor-led materials, presentations, participant guides, and activities for both virtual and in-person delivery.
  • Assist in building and updating station-based training guides and other in-store tools (job aides, resource documentation, etc.) used by Certified Trainers to deliver operational training and execute leadership curriculum. 
  • Apply foundational adult learning principles and instructional design best practices, under guidance of the Instructional Design Lead, to help create engaging and practical learning experiences that support knowledge transfer, application, and retention.
  • Ensure all training materials and resources follow established templates and style guidelines and reflect company mission, values, customer requirements, and brand standards.
  • Regularly review and update existing training materials to reflect process changes, system updates, and new operational expectations, ensuring content remains accurate and current.
  • Collaborate with the Instructional Design lead and talent team to refine content based on learner feedback, facilitator input, and operational updates.

Classroom Facilitation, Pilots, & Train-the-Trainer Support 

• • Facilitate classroom training sessions (virtual and in-person) using established course curriculum, facilitator guides, and activities, ensuring consistent delivery of content to operations and leadership audiences.
  • Support pilot delivery of new classroom training by co-facilitating or leading sessions, gathering feedback, and participating in summative evaluations to help determine program readiness and needed refinements.
  • Assist in conducting train-the-trainer sessions for new or updated classroom content or program updates, helping Certified Trainers and facilitators understand objectives, materials, timing, and key talking points to be able to execute the content as intended.
  • Model effective facilitation techniques and learner engagement strategies, while providing basic guidance, feedback, and support to peer facilitators during and after sessions.
  • Escalate content issues, learner concerns, or facilitation challenges to the Instructional Design Lead or talent team leadership, contributing observations for improvement.

Training Audit, Needs Support, & Learner Feedback 

• • Conduct basic observations and training audits of in-store and classroom sessions to review how content is being delivered, the accuracy of materials, and learner engagement with the training.
  • Use standard tools (e.g., checklists, observation forms, feedback templates and surveys) to collect data and share summaries of common themes regarding training effectiveness with the Instructional Design Lead and talent team leadership.
  • Conduct basic needs assessments by gathering information from stakeholders, trainers, and operational leaders about training gaps or emerging needs, contributing data and observations that inform design decisions.
  • Assist in monitoring training participation and completion data, flagging notable trends or issues to talent team leadership for further project scoping and analysis.

Training Communications & Program Enablement Tools

• • Create and support the delivery of training communications and program enablement tools that explain new or updated training programs, process changes, or curriculum expectations in clear, learner-friendly language.
  • Draft and refine communication content for internal channels (e.g. digital communication platforms, training announcements, guides, and summaries) to support cascades of training information across the organization. 
  • Help translate training content into practical implementation resources, such as rollout guides, transition aides, and quick-refence materials to support change management and smooth adoption of new or revised training programs.
  • Ensure that communications and enablement tools are consistent with training materials, program objectives, company mission, values, and brand standards, working under guidance from the Instructional Design Lead and Senior Director of Talent. 
  • Maintain organized repositories of communications and enablement resources to support easy access and consistent usage by Certified Trainers, facilitators, and operational leaders.

Additional Responsibilities

• • Uphold the mission, core values, and brand standards of the company by ensuring all practices reflect integrity, accountability, and operational excellence.
  • Performs other projects/duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • One to three years experience in a learning, training, teaching, or related role (e.g., classroom, teacher, trainer, instructional assistant, or leadership-level trainer), or equivalent of Royal Farms operational leadership experience.
  • For internal candidates: Successful completion of the full Royal Farms leadership curriculum (typically Assistant Store Leader and above; some Team Leaders who have completed the full suite may also be considered).
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present information clearly in both small and larger group settings.
  • Advanced working proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint and intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, including layout, formatting, and use of templates and visual elements.
  • Basic to intermediate proficiency in other Microsoft Office/Office 365 applications (e.g., Outlook, Excel, SharePoint, etc.) needed to manage training materials and communication.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects, versions of materials, and deadlines, and a commitment to producing accurate high-quality work.
  • Ability to learn and apply instructional design principles, practices, and developmental tools.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and subject matter experts.

Preferred

• • Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Education, Human Resources, Organization Development, Instructional Design, or a related field.
  • Relevant industry certifications (PHR/SPHR, SHRM-CP, teaching certificate, etc.) or completions of instructional design certificate programs
  • Experience in hospitality, retail, or the restaurant industry, with a preference for candidates who have worked in operations or in a training/leadership role.
  • Familiarity with instructional design models and adult learning principles (e.g., ADDIE, Bloom's Taxonomy) and experience applying them in practice.

Success Factors

• Instructional Impact & Facilitation Quality – Delivers clear, engaging learning experiences by following established instructional materials and applying adult learning principles to support operational and leadership performance.
• Collaboration, Service Mindset, & Adaptability – Works effectively with operations stakeholders and Certified Trainers, facilitators, and leaders, demonstrating flexibility and a service-oriented mindset when responding to feedback and operational changes. 
• Learning Design Support & Continuous Improvement – Contributes to the design and maintenance of training content by updating materials, organizing feedback, and suggesting practical improvements within established frameworks.
• Data Awareness & Feedback Utilization - Collects and organizes training-related data and feedback, identifies basic patterns and themes, and shares them with talent team leadership to support evaluation.
• Ownership, Professionalism, & Brand Alignment - Demonstrates ownership of assigned training and content tasks while upholding the Royal Farms mission, values, and brand standards in both materials and delivery.

Work Requirements

This is primarily an in-office position with the majority of time spent on-site at the Royal Farms Support Center. The role requires the facilitation of instructor-led classroom training sessions, both in person and virtually, as an essential function of the position. Travel may be required to support classroom training, facilitation, and other training-related events at off-site or company locations, including occasional overnight travel. This position requires prolonged computer use, prolonged standing and light movement during classroom facilitations, and may include light lifting and bending.