Instructional Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Instructional Design Manager

Company: NinjaOne

Location: Austin, Texas, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Learning & Development Operations / GTM Enablement

Date Posted: June 04, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (In-office 2-3 days per week)

🚀 Role Summary

• Establish and lead NinjaOne's first-ever instructional design practice, defining standards, SOPs, and best practices for learning content creation.

• Drive the strategy and implementation of authoring tools, including evaluating and potentially procuring a dedicated SCORM/eLearning platform.

• Partner cross-functionally to translate business needs into scalable and effective learning solutions across onboarding, revenue readiness, and technical certification programs.

• Design and develop a variety of high-quality instructional materials, ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and brand consistency through a robust QA process.

• Serve as the internal subject matter expert on instructional design, influencing content development and stakeholder engagement across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "builder" role, indicating a significant opportunity for strategic impact and process creation. The focus on establishing a practice from the ground up suggests a need for strong leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to navigate ambiguity within a fast-growing SaaS environment. The hybrid work model in Austin, TX, with specific in-office days, requires candidates to be local or willing to relocate.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Instructional Design Practice Establishment: Define and implement NinjaOne's instructional design methodology, standards, quality benchmarks, SOPs, templates, and style guides for all training content.

• Content Audit & Remediation: Audit existing training content (specifically mentioning WorkRamp) and develop a comprehensive remediation roadmap to align with new standards.

• Authoring Tool Strategy & Implementation: Lead the evaluation, selection, procurement, and adoption strategy for a dedicated SCORM/eLearning authoring platform, building a business case for investment.

• Learning Solution Design: Collaborate with internal training, revenue enablement, and technical enablement teams to identify needs, define learning objectives, and scope learning solutions.

• Instructional Material Development: Personally design and develop a range of high-impact instructional materials, including eLearning modules, facilitator guides, assessments, and job aids, ensuring alignment with adult learning principles.

• Quality Assurance & Brand Consistency: Establish and manage a rigorous QA review process to ensure all learning deliverables meet high standards for accuracy, accessibility, and brand consistency.

• Stakeholder Engagement & Influence: Act as the internal subject matter expert on instructional design, educating stakeholders and guiding content request scoping to ensure effective learning outcomes.

• Queue Management: Efficiently manage and prioritize inbound requests for instructional design support.

• Team Growth & Mentorship: As the practice scales, recruit, onboard, and mentor junior instructional designers, fostering a high-performing team environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership (establishing the practice, tool strategy) and hands-on execution (content development, QA). The emphasis on cross-functional partnership with Revenue Enablement and Technical Enablement indicates this role is critical to Go-To-Market (GTM) and broader organizational effectiveness, requiring strong collaboration and communication skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Not explicitly stated, but a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Instructional Design, Education, Learning Technology, or a related field is typically expected for this level of role.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of dedicated instructional design experience.

• At least 2 years in a senior or lead instructional design capacity, demonstrating leadership and strategic contribution.

• Proven track record of building or significantly maturing an instructional design practice, including the creation of standards, SOPs, and repeatable processes.

• Experience leveraging AI tools to enhance instructional design workflows (content drafting, personalization, prototyping, analytics).

• Strong command of established instructional design methodologies such as ADDIE, SAM, or equivalent.

• Deep understanding of adult learning theory and its practical application. Required Skills:

• Instructional Design Methodologies: Proficiency in ADDIE, SAM, or similar frameworks.

• Adult Learning Principles: Ability to apply theories of adult learning to create engaging and effective training.

• eLearning Development: Hands-on experience creating digital learning content.

• Needs Assessment: Skilled in identifying performance gaps and determining learning needs.

• Project Management: Excellent ability to manage multiple projects, timelines, and resources independently.

• Stakeholder Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively.

• LMS Familiarity: Experience working with Learning Management Systems (LMS) and understanding of SCORM/xAPI standards.

• Content Quality Assurance: Ability to establish and execute robust QA processes.

• AI Tool Integration: Experience utilizing AI in instructional design processes.

Preferred Skills:

• SCORM Authoring Tools: Hands-on experience with tools like Articulate 360 or Adobe Captivate, or demonstrable experience leading tool selection and procurement for such platforms.

• LMS Platform Experience: Familiarity with WorkRamp or similar LMS platforms commonly used by SaaS revenue teams.

• B2B SaaS Environment: Background in a fast-growth B2B SaaS or technology company.

• Team Leadership: Experience building and managing a small team of instructional designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preferred skills strongly suggest a focus on the SaaS industry and GTM enablement. The explicit mention of WorkRamp indicates that candidates with experience in this specific platform will have a distinct advantage. The preference for team building experience points towards future scalability of the ID function.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Instructional Design Projects: Showcase a minimum of 3-5 diverse instructional design projects, demonstrating application of ID methodologies (ADDIE, SAM) and adult learning principles.

• Process Creation Examples: Include evidence of establishing standards, SOPs, or repeatable processes in previous roles, highlighting the impact of these initiatives.

• Tooling Strategy Documentation: Present any documentation related to authoring tool evaluation, business case development, or platform selection processes.

• Learning Solution Designs: Provide examples of needs assessments, learning objectives, and the resulting learning solutions designed.

• Metrics & Impact: Where possible, demonstrate the impact of your instructional design work through relevant metrics (e.g., completion rates, knowledge retention, performance improvement, time-to-proficiency).

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Examples illustrating how you've mapped out and optimized learning development workflows.

• Implementation & Automation: Evidence of implementing new processes or leveraging technology (including AI) to streamline content creation and delivery.

• Measurement & Analysis: Show how you've tracked and analyzed the effectiveness of training programs, using data to inform improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this "builder" role, the portfolio should strongly emphasize the candidate's ability to create structure and process from scratch. Demonstrating experience in evaluating and implementing new technologies, particularly authoring tools, will be critical. Candidates should highlight their ability to document processes and measure impact, showcasing a strategic and results-oriented approach to instructional design.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: $110,000 - $150,000 per year.

• Methodology: This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for Instructional Design Managers with 5-10 years of experience in the Austin, Texas tech market. Factors considered include the "builder" nature of the role, the hybrid work arrangement, and the responsibilities associated with establishing a new practice. Salary data was sourced from reputable compensation platforms specializing in tech and operations roles, adjusted for the specific job responsibilities and experience level.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Comprehensive coverage for health and wellness.

• 401(k) Plan: Support for long-term financial planning and retirement savings.

• Unlimited PTO: Flexible paid time off policy, emphasizing work-life balance and autonomy.

• Growth and Advancement Opportunities: Clear pathways for professional development and career progression within NinjaOne.

• Hybrid Work Model: Flexibility to work remotely part of the week while maintaining in-office collaboration.

Working Hours:

• The role is full-time, generally expected to align with standard business hours in the Central Time Zone (Austin, TX).

• While specific hours may vary, the hybrid arrangement and unlimited PTO suggest a focus on output and flexibility rather than strict adherence to a 9-to-5 schedule. However, collaboration with teams in different time zones may require occasional adjustments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is an estimate. Candidates should always confirm specific compensation details during the interview process. The benefits package emphasizes work-life balance and employee well-being, with unlimited PTO being a significant perk.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Business Software / IT Operations Management (SaaS)

Company Size: NinjaOne is a rapidly scaling SaaS company, indicated by its focus on growth and building new functions. While not explicitly stated, a company of this nature typically falls within the 500-1000+ employee range if it's a significant player needing a dedicated ID Manager.

Founded: NinjaOne was founded in 2013, giving it over a decade of experience in the market and a solid foundation for growth.

Team Structure:

• Reporting: The Instructional Design Manager will report to the Sr. Director of Global Training & Enablement.

• Collaboration: The role requires significant cross-functional partnership with internal training teams, revenue enablement, and technical enablement functions.

• Growth Potential: The description explicitly mentions the possibility of recruiting and mentoring junior instructional designers, indicating plans for team expansion.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Approach: NinjaOne emphasizes customer success with a high satisfaction score, suggesting a data-informed culture. The role's focus on metrics and ROI aligns with this.

• Process Optimization: As a "builder" role, the core methodology involves establishing rigorous processes, SOPs, and best practices where they are currently informal or non-existent.

• Automation & Efficiency: The company's core product simplifies IT operations through automation, implying a company-wide appreciation for efficiency and streamlined workflows, which should extend to learning development.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: NinjaOne operates in the competitive IT Operations Management SaaS space, focusing on unified IT management. This context suggests a dynamic, fast-paced environment where efficiency, scalability, and demonstrable ROI are highly valued. The company's emphasis on customer success and its own product's focus on automation likely translate into a culture that appreciates well-designed, effective, and efficient learning solutions.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is a Managerial level role, specifically focused on establishing and leading a new functional area (Instructional Design) within the broader Learning & Development/Enablement umbrella. It represents a significant opportunity for an individual contributor with leadership potential to shape a critical function.

Reporting Structure:

• Reports to the Sr. Director of Global Training & Enablement.

• Will likely interact with various department heads (Sales, Customer Success, Engineering, Product) to understand their learning needs.

• Potential to build and manage a team of junior instructional designers. Operations Impact:

• Scalability: Directly impacts the company's ability to scale training programs efficiently and effectively across different departments and employee cohorts.

• Revenue Enablement: Contributes to sales and customer success team readiness, indirectly driving revenue through improved performance and retention.

• Technical Proficiency: Enhances the technical expertise of employees through well-designed certification and training programs, leading to better product adoption and support.

• Operational Efficiency: By formalizing processes and potentially implementing new tools, this role aims to increase the efficiency of learning content creation and delivery.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Opportunity to grow the instructional design team, potentially managing multiple designers and specialists.

• Strategic Influence: Shape the future of learning at NinjaOne, influencing budget, tool selection, and learning strategy across the organization.

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in areas like AI for learning, advanced eLearning development, and learning analytics.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Potential to move into broader Learning & Development, Enablement, or even Operations leadership roles within the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is ideal for someone looking to make a significant impact by building a function from the ground up. The growth trajectory is tied to the success of the ID practice and NinjaOne's overall growth, with clear potential for team leadership and strategic influence.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as Hybrid in Austin, TX, requiring 2-3 days per week in the office. This suggests a modern office environment designed for collaboration, team meetings, and focused work, balanced with the flexibility of remote work.

Office Location(s): Austin, Texas. This location is a major tech hub, offering a vibrant ecosystem for talent and innovation. Specific office details are not provided but are assumed to be in a professional business setting.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and emphasis on cross-functional partnerships indicate an environment that values in-person collaboration for brainstorming, workshops, and team building, alongside remote work for focused content development.

• Tools & Technology: Access to necessary technology and software will be provided, including potentially a new authoring platform and existing LMS (WorkRamp). The role will involve leveraging AI tools for design acceleration.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with stakeholders across various departments, fostering a connected and integrated work experience.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time position.

• Hybrid model: 2-3 days per week in the Austin office, with the remainder remote.

• Unlimited PTO suggests a results-oriented culture that trusts employees to manage their time effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment in Austin is a key aspect. Candidates should be comfortable with a blend of in-office collaboration and remote work. The company's growth suggests a dynamic and potentially evolving workspace.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: likely a recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Detailed discussion with the Sr. Director of Global Training & Enablement, focusing on experience in building ID practices, strategic thinking, and leadership capabilities.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, showcasing specific projects, process creation examples, and their approach to instructional design challenges. This is a critical stage to assess practical skills and strategic thinking.

• Cross-functional Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with key partners from Revenue Enablement, Technical Enablement, or other relevant departments to evaluate collaboration and communication skills.

• Final Interview/Executive Interview: Potentially a discussion with a higher-level executive to confirm alignment with company values and strategic vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase "Builder" Experience: Emphasize projects where you established processes, created standards, or significantly improved existing workflows.

• Demonstrate Strategic Thinking: Clearly articulate the "why" behind your design choices, linking them to business objectives and adult learning principles.

• Highlight Tool Evaluation: Include examples of evaluating and recommending new tools or platforms, especially authoring tools or LMS solutions.

• Quantify Impact: Use metrics to demonstrate the effectiveness of your work (e.g., improved performance, reduced time-to-competency, higher engagement).

• Process Documentation: Include examples of SOPs, templates, or style guides you've created.

• AI Integration: Showcase how you've used AI tools to enhance instructional design efficiency or effectiveness.

Challenge Preparation:

• Scenario-Based Questions: Be prepared for questions asking how you would approach specific challenges, such as establishing an ID practice, managing conflicting stakeholder needs, or selecting a new authoring tool.

• Process Design Exercise: You might be asked to outline the steps you would take to create an SOP for a specific training development task.

• Case Study Analysis: Be ready to analyze a hypothetical learning need and propose a solution, including design approach, development plan, and evaluation strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh the candidate's ability to build and formalize processes. A strong portfolio that clearly demonstrates this capability, along with strategic thinking and practical application of ID principles, will be essential for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Instructional Design Authoring Tools: Articulate 360, Adobe Captivate (hands-on experience preferred; experience leading selection is a plus).

• Learning Management System (LMS): WorkRamp (familiarity preferred), or experience with other enterprise LMS platforms.

• AI Tools for Instructional Design: Experience leveraging AI for content drafting, personalization, rapid prototyping, or learning analytics.

• Collaboration Tools: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint), Google Workspace (Docs, Slides), project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira).

Analytics & Reporting:

• LMS Reporting: Ability to extract and analyze data from LMS platforms to measure training effectiveness.

• Data Analysis Tools: Proficiency in tools for analyzing performance data and user engagement metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Familiarity: Understanding of how learning impacts CRM data and sales/CS performance (e.g., Salesforce).

• Automation Tools: Awareness of how learning automation can integrate with other business systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company is actively looking to establish a dedicated authoring platform. This indicates a significant opportunity for the hired manager to influence tool selection and drive adoption. Familiarity with WorkRamp is a strong preference, suggesting it's the current or intended LMS for GTM teams.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Curiosity: A drive to understand learning needs deeply and explore innovative solutions, including new technologies like AI.

• Integrity: Upholding high standards of quality, accuracy, and ethical practices in all learning development and stakeholder interactions.

• Kindness: Fostering positive and supportive relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, and future team members.

• Humility: A willingness to learn from others, admit mistakes, and collaborate openly, especially in a "builder" role.

• Builders: A proactive, hands-on approach to creating and improving processes, systems, and content from the ground up.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Emphasis on working closely with Revenue Enablement, Technical Enablement, and other departments to ensure learning solutions are aligned with business goals.

• Process-Oriented Feedback: Encouraging a culture of constructive feedback on processes and content to drive continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: A commitment to sharing best practices and insights across teams to elevate the overall learning and development function.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company explicitly lists its core values. Candidates should prepare to articulate how their approach to instructional design and team management aligns with Curiosity, Integrity, Kindness, Humility, and the "Builders" mindset. This is a key aspect of cultural fit assessment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Establishing a New Practice: Building an instructional design function from scratch requires navigating ambiguity, defining processes without established precedents, and earning trust across the organization.

• Tool Selection & Implementation: Leading the evaluation and procurement of a new authoring platform involves significant research, vendor management, and change management.

• Balancing Strategic vs. Tactical: Managing the dual responsibilities of establishing strategic standards and methodology while also being hands-on in content development and project management.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring diverse stakeholder needs are met and prioritized effectively across different departments (Sales, CS, Technical).

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership: Opportunity to define and lead a critical organizational function, shaping its future direction and impact.

• Technology Adoption: Gain experience in evaluating, selecting, and implementing new learning technologies, including AI-powered tools.

• Team Building: Develop leadership skills by recruiting, mentoring, and managing a team of instructional designers.

• Industry Exposure: Deepen understanding of the B2B SaaS IT Operations market and the specific learning needs of a high-growth technology company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge is also the biggest growth opportunity: the chance to build and define a function. Candidates who thrive in environments where they can create structure and influence strategy will find this role highly rewarding.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your experience building an instructional design practice from the ground up. What were the key steps you took, and what were the biggest challenges?" (Focus on process creation, standards, and stakeholder buy-in.)

• "Imagine you need to select a new SCORM authoring tool for NinjaOne. Walk me through your evaluation process, including key criteria and how you would build a business case." (Highlight analytical skills, tool knowledge, and financial justification.)

• "How would you approach balancing the immediate demand for training content with the strategic need to establish robust ID standards and processes?" (Demonstrate prioritization, project management, and communication skills.)

• "How do you leverage AI tools in your instructional design workflow? Provide specific examples of how AI has improved efficiency or learning outcomes." (Showcase forward-thinking and practical application of technology.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do NinjaOne's values of Curiosity, Integrity, Kindness, Humility, and Builders resonate with your approach to instructional design and leadership?" (Connect your experience and philosophy to their stated values.)

• "Describe a time you had to earn trust quickly with cross-functional stakeholders. What strategies did you employ?" (Focus on communication, collaboration, and delivering value.)

• "What are your expectations for a Sr. Director of Global Training & Enablement, and how do you envision a successful working relationship?" (Show proactive thinking about team dynamics.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically. Start with an overview of your experience, then dive into 2-3 key projects that best demonstrate your ability to build processes, design effective learning, and manage tools.

• Process Focus: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your process for solving it (methodology, steps taken), the solution (deliverables), and the measurable results. Emphasize any new processes or standards you created.

• Tooling Experience: If applicable, showcase examples of tool evaluations or implementations. Discuss the pros and cons of different authoring tools and your criteria for selection.

• Storytelling: Frame your projects as compelling stories of challenge, strategy, execution, and impact.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Present the most impactful information clearly and concisely. Be prepared for follow-up questions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize your ability to build, strategize, and collaborate. A well-prepared portfolio and thoughtful answers to scenario-based questions will be critical. Be ready to discuss how you embody NinjaOne's core values.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Instructional Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on Jobvite.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience in establishing ID practices, leading tool evaluations, and working within a SaaS/tech environment. Ensure your portfolio is readily accessible and clearly showcases relevant projects.

• Resume Optimization: Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Use keywords from the job description, such as "instructional design," "SaaS," "ADDIE," "SAM," "SCORM," "LMS," "AI tools," and "process improvement."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your experience using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), especially for questions related to building processes, stakeholder management, and tool selection. Rehearse your portfolio presentation.

• Company Research: Deeply understand NinjaOne's product, mission, and culture. Research their current training initiatives if possible, and consider how your role will contribute to their growth and customer success objectives.

⚠️ 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.