Job Description

Are you a hands-on, senior-level Instructional Designer and trainer who thrives on driving impactful change within the learning & development space? Do you love not only modernising learning initiatives and programs, but doing hands-on training delivery in person? 

Experience within retail, hospitality of other service-centered learning environments is strongly preferred.

Targeted as an initial 3 month contract , starting on June 30th, you’ll work onsite three days per week (Dubuque, IA), with some flexibility for remote work.

Contract & Work Details (Contract, OR Contract-to-Perm Opportunity)

• Start: June 30, 2025 | 3mth Initial duration 
• Location: Dubuque, IA (onsite 3 days per week); remote flexibility
• Status: 1099 contract or W2; temp-to-perm track
• Compensation: $50 - $60/hr (1099 or C2C if you have your own corp)

Role Summary: 

• Lead the transformation of store-level training , moving from informal, checklist-based and on-the-job learning to structured, instructor-led training (ILT) solutions.
• Assess, repackage, and contextualize existing content into engaging, formalized learning programs suited to a fast-paced, customer-first retail culture.
• Mentor HR staff on modern learning & development (L&D) principles, coaching them to adopt scalable best practices.
• Bring energy, humor, and efficiency; avoiding bureaucracy. This culture values quick, clear action and minimal reporting.
• Work directly with senior leaders to pilot, launch, and refine operational and people development training.

Key Responsibilities:

• Translate curriculum analysis deliverables into practical, scalable training initiatives for retail operations.
• Redesign, document, and pilot learning paths; balancing industry best practice with the unique needs of a small, family-owned company.
• Produce and facilitate instructor-led (ILT) and blended learning solutions; basic proficiency in eLearning and virtual is encouraged.
• Directly collaborate with store managers and supervisors to test adopted training approaches and gather field feedback.
• Coach and upskill existing team members, setting the foundation for future internal instructional design hires.
• Independently manage end-to-end project deliverables; minimal delegation, maximum ownership.

Required Skills & Experience:

• 7+ years proven experience as an Instructional Designer or Senior Learning Specialist, with significant focus on customer-facing, retail, hospitality, or similar industries.
• Strong hands-on project management skills ; take clear ownership of deliverables, timelines, and outcomes without excessive meetings or reporting.
• Track record repackaging legacy training materials into modern, effective learning programs (preferably ILT and blended).
• Familiarity with the full range of instructional modalities (ILT, OJT, eLearning, microlearning, job aids), and an ability to select the right tool for the job.
• Excellent interpersonal communication : able to quickly build trust on a shop floor and with executives alike.
• Prior exposure to retail culture is strongly preferred -  learning must be practical and scalable.
• Comfort mentoring peers and HR professionals in learning design basics.
• Highly self-directed . Embrace “roll up your sleeves” delivery—no delegating or waiting on others.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in multi-site retail, grocery, QSR, or another service-driven industry where operational L&D makes the difference.
• Successful experience working under senior stakeholders or executives with high standards and a bias for execution.
• Demonstrated sense of humor, efficiency, and the ability to thrive in a no-nonsense company culture.
• Experience structuring a curriculum build-out after a formal learning needs or curriculum assessment.

Application Process

• Submit your resume outlining relevant instructional design and relevant training experience (Retail, or similar customer-facing, service industry experience).
• Candidates submitted to the client will be provided with a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) to sign prior to reviewing proprietary assessment deliverables.

Why Join Our Project?

You’ll shape the foundation of learning and development for a storied retail brand, working at the intersection of legacy and innovation. We value diversity, autonomy, and respect for people—inviting all backgrounds to help elevate our client’s workforce. If you’re ready to do hands-on work in a fast-paced environment with real impact, we want to hear from you.

Apply Today – Make a Transformational Difference in Retail Learning & Development!

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