Title: Instructional Designer
Employment Classification: Full-time, Salary, Exempt, W-2
Salary Range: $85,000 - $100,000
Benefits: CAIA offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees, including medical, dental, vision, retirement benefits, paid time off, and other employee programs
Department: Educational Programs
Reports to: Associate Director, Educational Programs
Location: Hybrid - Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Virginia, Florida, Texas, Ohio, or Utah with required in-person travel to CAIA’s Amherst, Massachusetts office approximately four to six times per year
Work Authorization: Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States
About the CAIA Association
The CAIA Association is a nonprofit organization and global leader in alternative investment education. CAIA provides education, credentials, and professional development designed to advance knowledge and professionalism across the alternative investment industry.
CAIA is best known for the CAIA Charter®, an internationally recognized credential for investment professionals, as well as educational programs designed to serve the evolving needs of professionals and organizations across the investment industry.
CAIA is an equal opportunity employer. Additional information about employment opportunities is available on the CAIA careers page.
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced Instructional Designer to support the development of new educational programs and the ongoing enhancement of existing offerings. This role will work closely with subject matter experts, program leaders, and content developers to create engaging, learner-centered educational experiences that align with organizational goals and industry standards.
The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in instructional design, adult learning principles, curriculum development, assessment design, e-learning development, course publishing and management, and LMS administration. They are comfortable managing multiple projects simultaneously and translating complex subject matter into effective learning experiences.
Key Responsibilities
New Program Development
- Design and develop new educational programs, courses, certificates, and microcredentials.
- Conduct learning needs analyses and identify desired learning outcomes.
- Create instructional strategies that support learner engagement and knowledge retention.
- Develop course structures, learning pathways, assessments, and supporting materials.
- Partner with subject matter experts to transform expertise into effective learning experiences.
Program Revision and Continuous Improvement
- Review and revise existing educational programs to improve effectiveness and learner outcomes.
- Update content to reflect current industry developments and best practices.
- Analyze learner feedback and performance data to identify improvement opportunities.
- Recommend enhancements to instructional approaches, assessments, and learning technologies.
Curriculum and Content Development
- Create instructional materials including:
- Online learning modules
- Assessments and quizzes
- Microlearning content
- Multimedia learning assets
- Video editing
- Ensure alignment between learning objectives, content, instructional activities, and assessments.
- Apply evidence-based instructional design practices throughout development.
Learning Technology Support
- Build or support course implementation within the LMS.
- Collaborate with technical teams on learning platform requirements.
- Ensure learning experiences function effectively across delivery formats.
- Stay current on emerging educational technologies and AI-enabled learning tools.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Instructional Design, Educational Technology, Education, Learning Experience Design, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education, training, and professional experience
- 3+ years of instructional design or curriculum development experience.
- Demonstrated experience designing educational programs for adult learners.
- Strong understanding of instructional design models.
- Experience developing online and blended learning experiences.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, and editing skills.
- Strong project management and organizational abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and deadlines.
- Proficiency with Microsoft 365 tools.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior instructional design experience in a corporate setting.
- Relevant certifications (Absorb Create, ATD, CPTD, instructional design certificates, etc.).
- Experience working with professional education, credentialing, continuing education, or higher education programs.
- Experience with learning analytics and learner data interpretation.
- Familiarity with AI-enabled content development tools.
- Experience working with Learning Management Systems (LMS).
Work Schedule and Expectations:
- This is a full-time position requiring availability during CAIA’s core U.S. business hours, generally 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
- Travel to CAIA’s Amherst, Massachusetts office is expected approximately four to six times per year.
- Additional occasional business travel may be required.
Desired Skills
Attention to detail
Adherence to design guidelines
Collaboration and teamwork
Proactive communicator
Learning outcome development
Assessment design
Storyboarding
Learning experience design
Learning Management Systems (LMS)
Authoring tools (Articulate 360, Rise, Storyline, Captivate, etc.)
Multimedia development tools
Generative AI tools for content development
Stakeholder management
Problem solving
Adaptability