Instructional Design Manager 

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Instructional Design Manager

Company: Citi

Location: Belfast, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full time

Category: Learning & Development / Operations Management

Date Posted: August 31, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Leads a team of Instructional Designers to create high-impact, compliant, and scalable digital learning solutions, focusing on the Independent Compliance Risk Management (ICRM) organization.

• Champions the strategic use of generative AI and modern learning technologies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness within a regulated environment.

• Oversees team performance, capability development, and resource planning, ensuring adherence to Citi's learning design standards, accessibility, and governance.

• Acts as a strategic servant leader, fostering a culture of trust, psychological safety, and continuous improvement, aligning with Citi's Leadership Principles.

• Collaborates closely with business stakeholders and Learning Advisors to develop and deliver effective learning strategies that meet business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Instructional Design Manager," the core responsibilities and required skills heavily emphasize operational management, process optimization, and team leadership within a learning and development context. This role requires a strong blend of instructional design expertise and operational rigor, making it a key GTM enablement and internal operations function. The focus on ICRM suggests a need for deep understanding of compliance and regulatory environments.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of Instructional Designers in the end-to-end development of performance-based digital learning solutions, including web-based training, adaptive learning modules, simulations, and job aids.

• Conduct capability assessments for design and development staff, identifying skill strengths and development gaps, and providing targeted coaching to elevate team performance.

• Provide clear direction to Instructional Designers, proactively removing environmental obstacles and impediments to efficient work execution.

• Offer technical oversight for eLearning and digital solution creation processes, including hands-on development where necessary, and advocate for the strategic application of authoring tools (dominKnow, Area9 Rhapsode) and generative AI.

• Evaluate the quality of all learning solutions, ensuring alignment with Citi's learning design standards, accessibility best practices, and stringent governance requirements, providing corrective guidance as needed.

• Manage the intake, scoping, and resource allocation for a high volume of enterprise design requests, utilizing a tiered service model and closely monitoring team Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as turnaround times and efficiency metrics.

• Proactively identify and address risks, bottlenecks, and potential audit-readiness gaps within the design and development workflow.

• Cultivate and maintain robust relationships with key stakeholders across Citi Learning and business units, serving as a primary instructional design point of contact for Learning Advisors and Digital Learning Governance.

• Champion the adoption of industry-recognized instructional design capability standards and best practices across the team.

• Conduct performance reviews, and actively participate in the recruitment process by interviewing and hiring design and development talent.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a need for strong operational management skills, including capacity planning, KPI monitoring, risk management, and process oversight, in addition to core instructional design leadership. The emphasis on "high volume of enterprise design requests" and "tiered service model" points to a need for structured operational processes and efficiency.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's/University degree or equivalent experience. Formal education in instructional design or a related field is preferred.

Experience:

• Significant experience working within Learning and Development (L&D) or Instructional Design functions.

• Direct, proven expertise in instructional design, content design, and development, with a strong application of adult learning theory across various modalities.

• Demonstrated experience in designing scalable digital learning solutions using cloud-based authoring tools such as Area9 Rhapsode, dominKnow, or similar platforms.

• Practical experience with Learning Management Systems (LMS) such as Docebo or Workday, content repositories, learning reporting & analytics tools, and generative AI applications.

• Experience managing, coaching, and leading a team of learning professionals is strongly preferred. Required Skills:

• Instructional Design Expertise: Deep understanding of adult learning theory, ADDIE, SAM, and other instructional design models; ability to apply these principles across diverse learning modalities.

• People Management & Coaching: Proven ability to lead, mentor, develop, and performance-manage a team of instructional designers, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.

• Operations Management: Experience in managing workflows, resource allocation, capacity planning, and monitoring team KPIs to ensure efficient and timely delivery of learning solutions.

• Agile & Waterfall Methodologies: Familiarity with project management frameworks, including participation in large-scale learning projects using Agile and Waterfall approaches.

• Risk Management & Governance: Solid understanding of risk management principles, learning governance, compliance requirements, and audit-readiness practices within a regulated financial services environment.

• Technology Proficiency: Expertise in industry-standard authoring tools (dominKnow, Area9 Rhapsode) and familiarity with LMS, content repositories, reporting tools, and generative AI.

• Stakeholder Management: Ability to build and maintain strong relationships, consult effectively, and influence stakeholders at all levels across a complex, global organization.

• Strategic & Critical Thinking: Capacity for strategic planning, problem-solving, and creative thinking to develop innovative and effective learning solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the Independent Compliance Risk Management (ICRM) domain or other highly regulated financial services areas.

• Familiarity with specific Citi Learning and Governance tools and processes.

• Experience with adaptive learning technologies and principles.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) in digital content development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills blend core instructional design competencies with essential operational management and leadership capabilities. The emphasis on "Operations management," "Capacity planning," and "Risk management" highlights the operational backbone of this role, positioning it as critical for efficient GTM enablement and internal process excellence.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies of Digital Learning Solutions: Showcase examples of high-impact, scalable digital learning solutions developed, detailing the design process, technology used, and learning outcomes achieved.

• Process Improvement Examples: Demonstrate instances where you or your team implemented process improvements in instructional design or development workflows, highlighting efficiency gains and quality enhancements.

• Team Performance Metrics: Provide examples of how you have tracked, analyzed, and reported on team performance metrics (e.g., turnaround times, project completion rates, stakeholder satisfaction) to drive operational excellence.

• Risk Mitigation & Governance Implementation: Include examples of how you have managed risks, ensured compliance, and maintained audit-readiness within learning development projects.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Document your approach to designing and optimizing instructional design and development workflows, including intake, scoping, resource allocation, and quality assurance processes.

• Implementation & Automation: Detail strategies for implementing new learning technologies, authoring tools, and automation techniques (including generative AI) to enhance efficiency and impact.

• Measurement & Analysis: Outline methods for measuring the effectiveness of learning solutions and team performance, linking them to business objectives and demonstrating ROI.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an operations-focused role like this, a portfolio demonstrating not just design quality but also operational efficiency, process management, and team leadership is crucial. Applicants should be prepared to articulate how they've managed complex projects, driven efficiency, and ensured quality and compliance through structured processes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the experience level (5-10 years), managerial responsibilities, and location in Belfast, UK, a competitive salary range for an Instructional Design Manager at a major financial institution like Citi would typically fall between £55,000 - £85,000 per annum. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in the UK financial sector, considering the specific responsibilities and the regulated environment.

Benefits:

• Generous holiday allowance starting at 27 days plus bank holidays, increasing with tenure.

• A discretionary annual performance-related bonus, reflecting individual and company performance.

• Private medical insurance packages tailored to personal circumstances, ensuring access to quality healthcare.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing confidential support for personal and professional challenges.

• Comprehensive Pension Plan, supporting long-term financial security.

• Paid Parental Leave, supporting employees during significant life events.

• Special discounts for employees, family, and friends, offering value on various products and services.

• Access to an extensive array of learning and development resources, supporting continuous professional growth.

Working Hours: Full-time role, typically 40 hours per week. The role operates with a hybrid working model, allowing up to 2 days of work from home per week, balancing operational needs with employee flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The estimated salary range is a benchmark for a managerial role in a major financial institution in the UK. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and internal salary bands at Citi. The benefits package is comprehensive, reflecting Citi's commitment to employee well-being and development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Banking & Investment)

Company Size: Citi is a global financial services corporation with tens of thousands of employees worldwide. This large scale implies a need for standardized processes, robust governance, and a structured approach to operations and learning development.

Founded: Citi's origins trace back to 1812, signifying a long-standing history and deep-rooted expertise in the financial industry. This heritage suggests a culture that values stability, adherence to regulations, and long-term strategic planning.

Team Structure:

• The Instructional Design Manager leads a dedicated team of Instructional Designers within the broader Citi Learning organization, specifically supporting the Independent Compliance Risk Management (ICRM) function.

• This team likely operates within a matrixed structure, collaborating closely with Learning Advisors, Digital Learning Governance, and various business stakeholders within ICRM.

• Reporting directly to the Head of Instructional Design, the role requires strong collaboration and communication across different levels of the Learning organization and business units. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasis on using data and KPIs to monitor team performance, identify areas for improvement, and demonstrate the impact of learning solutions.

• Process Optimization: A focus on refining workflows, leveraging technology (including generative AI), and implementing best practices to enhance the efficiency and scalability of learning development.

• Agile and Waterfall Integration: The team likely employs a blend of Agile and Waterfall methodologies depending on project scope and requirements, prioritizing adaptability and structured execution.

• Governance and Compliance: A rigorous approach to ensuring all learning solutions meet Citi's strict standards for quality, accessibility, compliance, and audit-readiness, especially critical for the ICRM domain.

Company Website: https://www.citigroup.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Citi's established presence and global scale in financial services indicate a highly structured and regulated operational environment. The emphasis on ICRM and compliance means that operational processes within Learning & Development must be exceptionally robust, well-documented, and auditable.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a mid-to-senior level management position within the Learning & Development operations function. It requires a blend of specialized instructional design knowledge and strong operational leadership skills. The scope includes managing a team, overseeing project pipelines, and contributing to the strategic direction of learning solutions for a critical business function.

Reporting Structure: The Instructional Design Manager reports to the Head of Instructional Design. This position likely involves significant collaboration with Learning Advisors, subject matter experts (SMEs) within ICRM, and potentially other operational leads within Citi Learning.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on the operational effectiveness and compliance posture of the ICRM organization by ensuring that employees are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills through high-quality, scalable learning solutions. It drives efficiency in learning development through technology adoption and process optimization.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to advance to higher leadership roles within Citi Learning, such as Head of Instructional Design, Director of Learning Operations, or other senior L&D management positions.

• Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas like adaptive learning, AI in learning, or compliance training for regulated industries.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Potential to move into broader operational management roles within Citi, leveraging transferable skills in process improvement, project management, and team leadership.

• Strategic Contribution: Involvement in shaping the future of learning technology and strategy for Citi, particularly in the context of compliance and risk management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path for an Instructional Design Manager at Citi within an operations-focused team often involves leveraging strong project and people management skills to move into broader operational leadership roles, or specializing further in advanced learning technologies and strategies.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Belfast, UK, and operates under a hybrid working model, allowing employees to work up to 2 days per week from home. This suggests a modern office environment designed for collaboration, with necessary technology infrastructure to support both in-office and remote work.

Office Location(s): 60 Sydenham Road, Titanic Quarter, Gateway Offices, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. This specific location implies a modern business park setting, potentially with good transport links and amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model encourages in-office days for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional collaboration, fostering a sense of team cohesion and shared purpose.

• Technology-Enabled: Expect access to up-to-date technology, including standard authoring tools, project management software, and communication platforms necessary for seamless hybrid work and digital learning development.

• Professional Atmosphere: As part of a global financial institution, the environment is expected to be professional, with a strong emphasis on controls, compliance, and operational excellence.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time working hours (approximately 40 hours per week) apply, with the flexibility of the hybrid model. This schedule needs to accommodate efficient workflow management, team synchronization, and stakeholder availability across different time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model is a key aspect of the work environment, requiring strong self-management and communication skills from the candidate. The operational focus means that adherence to scheduled work and availability for team and stakeholder interactions will be paramount.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely review your application and resume, focusing on keywords related to instructional design, management, operations, and compliance.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper dive into your experience with team leadership, instructional design methodologies, operational management, and familiarity with the required technologies and regulated environments. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've managed teams, improved processes, and handled challenging projects.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with potential team members or key stakeholders (e.g., Learning Advisors, ICRM representatives) to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit.

• Case Study/Presentation: You may be asked to present a portfolio piece or complete a short case study demonstrating your approach to designing a learning solution, managing a team, or solving an operational challenge related to learning development.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader in Citi Learning to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Showcase 2-3 of your strongest projects that best represent your leadership in instructional design and operational management. Prioritize projects that highlight efficiency, scalability, compliance, and team leadership.

• Focus on Process & Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, the processes you followed (design, development, operational oversight), the technologies used, the challenges overcome, and the measurable impact/outcomes. Quantify results wherever possible.

• Demonstrate Operational Rigor: Include examples of how you've managed project timelines, resources, budgets, and quality control. Show evidence of process improvement initiatives and their results.

• Highlight Team Leadership: If applicable, include examples of how you've coached, mentored, and developed instructional design teams, and how you've managed team performance and KPIs.

• Tailor to Citi/ICRM: If possible, include a hypothetical or past example relevant to compliance, risk management, or the financial services industry to demonstrate understanding of the domain.

Challenge Preparation:

• Operational Scenario: Be prepared for scenario-based questions asking how you would handle common operational challenges, such as managing conflicting priorities, addressing underperforming team members, or improving turnaround times for a high volume of requests.

• Leadership & Coaching: Practice articulating your leadership philosophy, coaching approach, and how you foster psychological safety and continuous improvement within a team.

• Technology & AI: Be ready to discuss your experience with authoring tools, LMS, and your strategic approach to leveraging generative AI in learning development, considering governance and quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely assess both your technical instructional design skills and your operational leadership capabilities. A strong portfolio that demonstrates process management, team leadership, and impact is crucial for this role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Authoring Tools: dominKnow, Area9 Rhapsode (experience with these is explicitly mentioned as proven expertise). Proficiency in other industry-standard tools like Articulate 360 (Storyline, Rise), Adobe Captivate, or similar is also valuable.

• Generative AI Tools: Purposeful use is encouraged; candidates should be prepared to discuss experience or strategic thinking around leveraging AI for content creation, ideation, or efficiency gains.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Tools like Microsoft Teams, Jira, Asana, Trello, or similar platforms for team collaboration, task management, and project tracking.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Learning Management Systems (LMS): Docebo, Workday (experience with these is required). Familiarity with other LMS platforms is beneficial.

• Reporting & Analytics Tools: Experience with built-in LMS reporting features, or dedicated analytics platforms (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) for tracking learning engagement, completion rates, and performance metrics.

• Content Repositories: Understanding of how to manage and organize digital learning assets.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how learning impacts CRM user adoption and sales/service performance may be beneficial.

• Automation Tools: Familiarity with workflow automation within learning platforms or integration tools (e.g., Zapier, Workato) to streamline processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in dominKnow and Area9 Rhapsode is a key requirement. The emphasis on generative AI suggests a forward-thinking approach to learning technology adoption, balanced with the need for governance in a regulated environment.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Ownership & Accountability: Embodies Citi's "Take Ownership" principle by being responsible for team performance, project delivery, and operational excellence in learning development.

• Excellence & Pride: Strives for "Deliver with Pride" by ensuring high-quality, compliant, and impactful learning solutions that meet stakeholder expectations and uphold Citi's standards.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Operates under "Succeed Together" by valuing diverse perspectives, fostering psychological safety, and encouraging open communication and mutual support within the team and with stakeholders.

• Agile Mindset: Promotes continuous learning, adaptability, and a proactive approach to embracing new technologies and methodologies to enhance capability and performance.

• Risk & Compliance Focus: Upholds the importance of controls, governance, and audit-readiness in all learning development activities, particularly critical for the ICRM organization.

Collaboration Style:

• Servant Leadership: Acts as a supportive leader, empowering the team and removing obstacles to their success.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Builds strong, collaborative relationships across Citi Learning, with Learning Advisors, Digital Learning Governance, and key business stakeholders within ICRM.

• Open Feedback Culture: Encourages constructive feedback and continuous improvement through regular performance discussions and team retrospectives.

• Knowledge Sharing: Fosters an environment where best practices, lessons learned, and innovative approaches to instructional design and operations are shared openly.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Citi's Leadership Principles ("Take Ownership," "Deliver with Pride," "Succeed Together") provides a strong framework for understanding the expected behaviors and cultural alignment for this role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Volume and Quality: Managing a high volume of learning requests while maintaining rigorous quality standards, accessibility, and compliance in a regulated environment.

• Adopting New Technologies: Strategically integrating generative AI and modern learning technologies while navigating governance, risk, and the need for human oversight.

• Team Development in a Hybrid Model: Effectively leading, coaching, and building team cohesion in a hybrid work environment, ensuring consistent performance and engagement.

• Stakeholder Management: Navigating complex organizational structures and diverse stakeholder needs to align learning strategies with business objectives, especially within the ICRM function.

• Keeping Pace with Evolving Compliance: Ensuring learning content remains up-to-date and compliant with rapidly changing regulations in the financial services industry.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Instructional Design Techniques: Opportunities to explore and implement cutting-edge learning design strategies, including adaptive learning and personalized learning paths.

• AI in Learning Development: Deepen expertise in leveraging generative AI tools for content creation, analysis, and workflow automation, contributing to Citi's innovation in L&D.

• Operational Excellence Leadership: Develop advanced skills in operational management, process optimization, and performance analytics within a large-scale L&D function.

• Compliance & Risk Training Specialization: Gain in-depth knowledge of compliance and risk management principles specific to the financial services industry, becoming a subject matter expert in ICRM learning.

• Mentorship and Leadership Programs: Access to Citi's internal leadership development programs and potential mentorship opportunities with senior leaders in L&D or operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges and growth opportunities highlight the dynamic nature of the role, requiring continuous learning and adaptation, particularly in technology adoption and regulatory environments.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to managing a team of instructional designers, ensuring both high-quality output and operational efficiency, especially in a regulated environment like ICRM." (Focus on leadership, process, KPIs, and compliance.)

• "How would you balance the adoption of new technologies like generative AI with the need for strict quality control, accessibility, and governance in learning development?" (Showcase strategic thinking, risk assessment, and practical implementation.)

• "Walk me through a time you had to manage conflicting priorities or a high volume of urgent requests from multiple stakeholders. How did you prioritize, allocate resources, and ensure successful delivery?" (Demonstrate operational management, problem-solving, and stakeholder communication.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do Citi's Leadership Principles (Take Ownership, Deliver with Pride, Succeed Together) align with your management style and approach to leading a learning team?" (Connect your experience to their core values.)

• "What is your understanding of learning governance and audit-readiness in a financial services context, and how have you ensured these in previous roles?" (Showcase domain awareness and operational rigor.)

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid environment. How do you foster team engagement, collaboration, and accountability when team members are not always co-located?" (Address adaptability and leadership in modern work settings.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with a high-level overview of the project and its business objective. Clearly define your role and the team's contribution.

• Detail the Process: Explain the instructional design methodology, operational workflows, and any process improvements you implemented. Use visuals where possible to illustrate workflows.

• Quantify Results: Present key metrics related to efficiency (e.g., reduced development time, increased output), quality (e.g., stakeholder satisfaction scores, compliance adherence), and learning impact (e.g., improved performance, knowledge retention).

• Highlight Leadership: Emphasize how you led, coached, and managed the team throughout the project, addressing any challenges and demonstrating your leadership style.

• Connect to Citi: Briefly explain how your experience and approach are relevant to Citi's specific needs and the ICRM context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing specific examples that demonstrate your operational management, team leadership, and understanding of regulated environments will be key to success in the interview process.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Instructional Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight keywords and responsibilities that directly align with instructional design leadership, operations management, team management, compliance, and experience with specific tools like dominKnow, Area9 Rhapsode, Docebo, and Workday. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Prepare your portfolio: Curate 2-3 key projects that showcase your ability to manage learning development operations, lead teams, drive efficiency, and ensure quality and compliance. Be ready to present these with a focus on process, impact, and leadership.

• Research Citi and ICRM: Understand Citi's business, its Leadership Principles, and the critical role of the Independent Compliance Risk Management (ICRM) function within a global financial institution.

• Practice interview responses: Prepare for behavioral and situational questions focusing on your leadership, operational management skills, problem-solving abilities, and experience in regulated environments.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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