Lead Instructional Designer

Summary of the Role

The Instructional Designer Lead plays a pivotal role in developing high-quality, custom instructional materials and tailored learning experiences to support the organization's technical products and services. This position extends beyond content development it demands proactive ownership of instructional design projects, active engagement with client stakeholders (including VP-level leaders), and independent decision-making to drive initiatives to successful outcomes.

The ideal candidate will bring strong instructional design thinking, creative problem-solving abilities, and the capability to conceptualize and develop bespoke learning solutions. A collaborative, consultative approach with both senior client stakeholders and internal teams is essential for success in this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyse instructional design project requirements and collaborate with the Project Manager (PM) to define project scope, learning objectives, and effective learning solutions.
• Independently manage, lead, and take ownership of instructional design deliverables from initiation through successful delivery, ensuring alignment with client goals and expectations.
• Develop custom, learner-centric instructional content including instructor guides, participant guides, hands-on activities, eLearning modules, handouts, diagrams, job aids, and self-paced materials tailored to unique client needs.
• Act as a primary instructional design liaison for client stakeholders, including VP and senior leadership levels leading design discussions, gathering feedback, addressing concerns, and influencing learning decisions.
• Actively participate in client meetings and project discussions, leaning in to understand client priorities, business objectives, and learning gaps, and translating them into effective learning interventions.
• Provide regular, proactive updates to the project manager and client stakeholders on project progress, challenges, and resolutions.
• Identify and escalate issues impacting timelines, quality, or scope — offering recommendations and implementing solutions as needed.
• Collaborate closely with subject matter experts (SMEs), business stakeholders, and cross-functional teams to capture and translate complex technical and business knowledge into engaging and accessible learning deliverables.
• Develop detailed storyboards and design specifications, serving as clear, actionable blueprints for content development teams.
• Proactively suggest and implement improvements in instructional design approaches, methodologies, tools, and processes.
• Demonstrate software technical course content development experience.
• Utilize rapid authoring tools such as Articulate Storyline, Rise, and Camtasia to develop digital learning solutions.

Core Competencies

• Strong client engagement and relationship management skills — particularly with VP and leadership-level stakeholders.
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and make sound decisions in fast-paced, dynamic environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High-impact interpersonal and presentation skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders and manage client expectations.
• Strong instructional design thinking, conceptualization, and creative problem-solving abilities.
• Expertise in custom content development, learning strategy, and instructional design methodologies.
• Strong organizational and time management capabilities, with a track record of successfully managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to quality in all deliverables.
• Effective teamwork and cross-functional collaboration abilities.
• Proficiency in instructional design tools and rapid authoring tools like Articulate Storyline, Rise, and Camtasia.

Education and Experience

• Graduate/Post-Graduate in BE/BTech/M.E/MTech/MSc/MCA.
• 10+ years of relevant instructional design and client-facing experience required, with a preference for experience in technical or software product training environments.