international instructional design manager, International Retail Operations

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: International Instructional Design Manager, International Retail Operations

Company: Starbucks Coffee Company

Location: Seattle, Washington, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Learning & Development / Operations Training

Date Posted: 2026-07-27

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design, development, and maintenance of innovative, globally relevant digital retail training programs for Starbucks partners across over 85 countries, from baristas to regional directors.

• Serve as a critical subject matter expert in adult learning principles and instructional design, driving partner performance acceleration and competency in retail operations.

• Consult regularly with diverse, cross-functional teams both locally and internationally, fostering strong relationships and ensuring training alignment with global business objectives.

• Continuously evaluate and enhance training program effectiveness by analyzing feedback, key performance metrics, and industry benchmarks, ensuring best-in-class learning experiences.

• Leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to accomplish complex tasks and drive efficiency in the instructional design and training development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: While titled "International Instructional Design Manager," this role is deeply embedded within "International Retail Operations," indicating a strong focus on the practical application of learning to operational execution and performance within retail environments globally. The emphasis on "partner performance acceleration" and "competency in new roles" highlights a direct link between training outcomes and operational efficiency.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Instructional Design & Development: Design, develop, and maintain innovative, internationally relevant digital training programs (e-learning, video) for retail operations roles, covering all partner levels from entry-level to senior leadership.

• Adult Learning Expertise: Apply expert knowledge of adult learning theories and instructional design methodologies (e.g., ADDIE, SAM) to create engaging, effective, and scalable training solutions.

• Global Training Strategy: Ensure all developed training content is adaptable and relevant to diverse international markets, considering cultural nuances, language considerations, and varying operational landscapes.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as a primary learning and development consultant for international retail operations stakeholders, collaborating with various departments (e.g., Operations, Marketing, HR, IT) to identify training needs and co-create solutions.

• Performance Metrics & Evaluation: Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for training programs; analyze feedback, completion rates, skill application, and business impact metrics to measure effectiveness and identify areas for continuous improvement.

• Learning Technology Integration: Utilize and potentially explore new learning technologies, including AI-powered tools, to enhance training delivery, engagement, and efficiency.

• Curriculum Maintenance & Updates: Proactively manage and update existing training modules to reflect evolving retail operational procedures, product knowledge, and company strategies.

• Project Management: Oversee multiple instructional design projects simultaneously, managing timelines, resources, and stakeholder expectations from conception to deployment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "maintain the retail training programs" and "evaluate feedback, analyze key metrics and compare industry benchmarks to measure the effectiveness" strongly suggests a need for robust analytical skills and a data-driven approach to learning development, aligning with core Revenue Operations and Sales Operations principles of continuous improvement and ROI measurement. The mention of AI highlights a forward-looking approach to operations and training.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Instructional Design, Education, Learning & Development, Business, or a related field is required. Master's degree in a relevant field is a plus. Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in designing and developing training programs specifically for adult learners within a retail operations context.

• Demonstrated experience in creating training for a range of roles, from entry-level (e.g., barista) to leadership positions (e.g., regional director).

• Proven track record of managing and updating complex training curricula for large, distributed organizations. Required Skills:

• Instructional Design Expertise: Deep understanding and practical application of adult learning principles, ADDIE, SAM, and other instructional design models.

• E-learning & Multimedia Development: Proficiency in developing engaging e-learning modules using authoring tools and creating professional training videos.

• Project Management: Strong organizational, planning, and execution skills to manage multiple complex projects, deadlines, and stakeholder requirements.

• Cross-Cultural Communication: Exceptional ability to communicate, consult, and collaborate effectively across different cultures, languages, and organizational levels.

• AI for Learning: Ability to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and methodologies to enhance instructional design processes, content creation, and program delivery.

• Learning Technology Proficiency: Familiarity with Learning Management Systems (LMS) and various digital learning platforms.

• Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze training effectiveness metrics, interpret feedback, and benchmark against industry standards to drive program improvements.

Preferred Skills:

• DominKnow Expertise: Specific, hands-on experience with the DominKnow | ONE authoring platform.

• International Retail Experience: Prior experience designing training for global retail operations or a similar fast-paced, multi-national environment.

• Change Management: Understanding of change management principles as they relate to training adoption and implementation.

• Performance Consulting: Ability to act as a performance consultant, diagnosing performance gaps and recommending appropriate learning and non-learning solutions.

• Curriculum Architecture: Experience in designing comprehensive learning architectures and career pathing through training.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "10+ years of experience designing training programs for adult learners in retail operations roles – from entry level to leadership roles" signifies a senior-level position. The emphasis on "cross-functionally, cross-culturally and cross-levels" communication is critical for a global role and mirrors the complex stakeholder management often seen in senior operations roles. The specific mention of DominKnow is a key technical skill to highlight.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate Instructional Design Process: Showcase a portfolio that clearly illustrates your systematic approach to instructional design, from needs analysis and learning objectives to content development, implementation, and evaluation. This should include examples of your process documentation.

• Showcase E-learning & Video Samples: Include high-quality examples of e-learning modules and training videos you have designed and developed. These should highlight interactivity, engagement strategies, and effective use of multimedia.

• Evidence of Global Adaptability: Present case studies or examples that demonstrate your ability to adapt training content for international audiences, highlighting how you addressed cultural, linguistic, or operational differences.

• Impact & Metrics-Driven Results: Quantify the impact of your training programs. Include data points, case studies, or testimonials that demonstrate how your designs improved partner performance, operational efficiency, or business outcomes.

• Project Management Artifacts: Optionally, include examples of project plans, scope documents, or stakeholder communication strategies used to manage complex training development projects.

Process Documentation:

• Needs Analysis & Design Documents: Examples of thorough needs analyses, audience analyses, and detailed design documents that outline learning objectives, content structure, and delivery methods.

• Development Standards & Guidelines: Documentation of any style guides, quality assurance checklists, or development standards you have created or followed to ensure consistency and quality in training materials.

• Evaluation Frameworks: Evidence of how you design and implement evaluation strategies, including Kirkpatrick's levels of evaluation, to measure training effectiveness and ROI.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on developing training for retail operations across 85+ countries, a robust portfolio demonstrating the ability to scale, adapt, and measure impact is paramount. This aligns with operations roles where process efficiency, scalability, and measurable outcomes are key. The inclusion of AI tools in the requirements suggests that any portfolio examples showcasing AI-assisted design or delivery would be highly advantageous.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The estimated base salary range for this position in Seattle, WA, is $112,900 - $169,500 annually. This range is based on industry benchmarks for senior instructional design roles in major metropolitan areas, considering the extensive experience required (10+ years) and the global scope of responsibilities. Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family.

• Life and Disability Insurance: Basic and supplemental life insurance, along with short-term and long-term disability coverage.

• Paid Time Off: Generous paid vacation accrual, sick time, eight paid holidays, and two personal days annually. (Note: specific vacation accrual rates vary by state and role level).

• Retirement Planning: 401(k) retirement plan with employer match.

• Equity & Stock Programs: Discounted company stock purchase program (S.I.P.) and Starbucks equity program (Bean Stock).

• Financial Well-being: Incentivized emergency savings, financial well-being tools, and student loan management resources.

• Education Support: 100% upfront tuition coverage for a first-time bachelor’s degree through Starbucks College Achievement Plan with Arizona State University.

• Family Support: Paid parental leave and family expansion reimbursement.

• Additional Perks: Backup care, DACA reimbursement, and other voluntary insurance benefits.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week). The role offers a hybrid work environment, allowing partners to work remotely up to two days per week in the greater Seattle area.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is an estimate based on the AI-generated minimum and maximum values, adjusted for a senior L&D role in a high-cost-of-living area like Seattle. It reflects the significant experience and global responsibility of this position. The extensive benefits package is characteristic of large, established corporations like Starbucks.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Food & Beverage / Retail

Company Size: Large Enterprise (10,000+ employees)

Founded: 1971

Team Structure:

• International Retail Operations: This role is part of the International Retail Operations team, suggesting a focus on the operational execution and efficiency of Starbucks stores worldwide.

• Learning & Development Focus: The team likely includes specialists in various aspects of learning and development, potentially with regional or functional specialization within retail operations.

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role emphasizes close collaboration with global and local cross-functional teams, indicating a matrixed or highly integrated structure where L&D is a strategic partner to business units.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: The emphasis on analyzing metrics, feedback, and industry benchmarks points to a culture that values data in evaluating and improving processes, including training programs.

• Continuous Improvement: The mandate to "continuously improve training programs" reflects a commitment to iterative development and optimization, a core tenet of operations management.

• Global Standardization & Localization: Starbucks operates with a global brand standard while requiring localization for diverse markets, suggesting a methodology that balances these two aspects in training development.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Starbucks' strong emphasis on "developing extraordinary leaders" and its mission to "inspire and nurture the human spirit" suggest a culture that values employee growth, connection, and service. For an operations role, this translates to training that not only imparts skills but also reinforces company values and fosters a positive customer and partner experience.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Management / Lead Individual Contributor

• This role is positioned at a senior level within the Learning & Development function, specifically supporting International Retail Operations. It requires significant experience and independent judgment in designing and implementing global training strategies. The "manager" title implies potential team leadership or project leadership responsibilities, but the core focus is on strategic design and execution. Reporting Structure:

• Likely reports to a Director or Senior Director within International Retail Operations or a dedicated Global Learning & Development function.

• Will collaborate extensively with international market leaders, regional managers, and subject matter experts across various departments. Operations Impact:

• Directly impacts the operational effectiveness and consistency of Starbucks retail stores worldwide by ensuring partners are well-trained and equipped to deliver the Starbucks experience.

• Contributes to revenue generation and cost efficiency by accelerating partner ramp-up time, reducing errors, improving customer service, and fostering partner retention through effective training.

• Plays a key role in the successful rollout of new operational procedures, products, and initiatives across international markets. Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to move into a Director-level role overseeing a broader portfolio of international training or leading a team of instructional designers.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of learning technology, AI in L&D, or global learning strategy.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunities to move into broader operational strategy, program management, or international HR roles within Starbucks.

• Continuous Learning: Access to ongoing professional development, industry conferences, and internal training programs to stay at the forefront of L&D and operations best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role's scope (85+ countries) and seniority (10+ years experience) suggest that growth opportunities would involve increasing strategic influence, managing larger teams or budgets, and potentially impacting broader global GTM or operational strategies. The hybrid work arrangement also offers flexibility that can support work-life balance, a key factor in career sustainability.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Corporate Headquarters / Hybrid Work Environment

Office Location(s): Seattle, Washington (Primary - 2401 Utah Ave S, 800 Seattle, Washington, United States)

• The Seattle headquarters provides a central hub for operations and strategic decision-making. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The Seattle office is designed to foster collaboration, with spaces conducive to team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional interactions.

• Technology-Rich: Access to modern office technology, high-speed internet, and the necessary software and hardware for instructional design and remote collaboration.

• Global Connectivity: While based in Seattle, the role requires constant virtual interaction with teams and partners across different time zones and geographies, necessitating strong remote collaboration tools and practices.

Work Schedule:

• Hybrid work model with up to two days per week remote, allowing for flexibility in managing personal schedules while ensuring in-office presence for key collaborative activities. This balance is crucial for roles needing both focused individual work (design) and team/stakeholder engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a significant factor, allowing for focused work on complex design tasks while maintaining in-person collaboration essential for understanding operational nuances and building stakeholder relationships. This blend is increasingly common in operations roles that require both deep analytical work and broad communication.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter screens applications for minimum qualifications and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A deep dive into experience, skills, and understanding of instructional design principles within an operations context. Expect behavioral questions and scenario-based inquiries.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present a selection of their best work, demonstrating their instructional design process, e-learning/video examples, and ability to articulate the impact of their training. This is a critical stage for operations roles, assessing practical application and results.

• Cross-Functional Panel Interview: Interviews with key stakeholders from International Retail Operations, potentially including regional leads or operational directors, to assess collaboration, communication, and understanding of business needs.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership for final decision-making.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 pieces that best showcase your experience in retail operations, adult learning, e-learning/video development, and global adaptability.

• Structure Your Case Studies: For each piece, clearly articulate:

  • The business problem/need.
  • Your role and the instructional design process followed.
  • The solutions developed (e-learning, video, blended).
  • The specific challenges faced (e.g., cultural adaptation, technical constraints).
  • The measurable outcomes and impact (use data!).

• Highlight AI Usage: If applicable, clearly explain how AI tools were used to enhance efficiency, creativity, or effectiveness in your projects.

• Prepare for Technical Questions: Be ready to discuss your proficiency with DominKnow and other relevant authoring/multimedia tools.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough to ensure it's concise, engaging, and within the allotted time. Focus on storytelling and impact.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential case study or design challenge. This might involve analyzing a hypothetical retail operations training need and outlining a proposed solution, or critiquing an existing piece of training.

• Focus on demonstrating your systematic approach, creativity, and ability to align training with operational goals.

• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, as if presenting to operational leaders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review and a potential design challenge is standard for instructional design roles but particularly important for operations-focused positions. Candidates must demonstrate not only theoretical knowledge but also practical application, process efficiency, and measurable results. Preparing to discuss AI integration in the context of those results will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Instructional Design Authoring Tools: DominKnow | ONE (highly preferred), Articulate Storyline/Rise, Adobe Captivate, Lectora.

• Multimedia Creation Tools: Adobe Creative Suite (Premiere Pro, After Effects, Audition), Camtasia, Final Cut Pro, professional video recording equipment.

• AI Tools: Experience with AI platforms for content generation, image creation, scriptwriting, or data analysis relevant to instructional design.

• Learning Management Systems (LMS): Familiarity with popular LMS platforms for content deployment and tracking (e.g., Cornerstone OnDemand, Workday Learning, Moodle).

Analytics & Reporting:

• LMS Reporting: Ability to extract and interpret data from LMS regarding training completion, performance, and engagement.

• Performance Data Analysis: Familiarity with tools or methods for analyzing operational performance metrics that training is intended to influence (e.g., sales data, customer satisfaction scores, operational efficiency metrics).

• Survey & Feedback Tools: Tools like SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, or internal feedback mechanisms to gather learner and stakeholder input.

Collaboration & Project Management:

• Project Management Software: Tools such as Asana, Trello, Jira, or Microsoft Project for managing development timelines and tasks.

• Collaboration Platforms: Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom, SharePoint for communication and file sharing across global teams.

• Content Management Systems (CMS): Potentially used for managing digital learning assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of DominKnow and AI tools is critical. Candidates should be prepared to speak in detail about their experience with these platforms. For operations-focused roles, understanding how these tools integrate with broader business systems and contribute to operational efficiency is a significant advantage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A deep understanding that all operations, including training, ultimately serve the end customer experience. Training should empower partners to deliver exceptional service.

• Operational Excellence: A commitment to efficiency, accuracy, and continuous improvement in all processes, including the development and delivery of training.

• Global Mindset & Inclusivity: Respect for diverse cultures and perspectives, ensuring training is inclusive and relevant across all international markets.

• Data-Driven Approach: Valuing data and feedback to inform decisions, measure impact, and drive performance improvements in training and operations.

• Partnership & Collaboration: Working effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to achieve shared goals, recognizing that successful operations require collective effort.

Collaboration Style:

• Consultative & Proactive: Engaging with stakeholders early and often to understand needs, provide expertise, and co-create solutions.

• Transparent & Communicative: Maintaining open lines of communication regarding project status, challenges, and outcomes, especially across different time zones and cultures.

• Agile & Adaptive: Willingness to iterate on designs based on feedback and changing business needs, embracing flexibility in project execution.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively sharing best practices and insights within the L&D and operations teams to foster collective growth and learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: Starbucks' emphasis on "partners" and "connection" suggests a culture that values human interaction and support. For an operations role, this translates to training that builds strong teams and reinforces a positive work environment, in addition to imparting technical skills.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Global Scalability & Localization: Developing training that is consistently effective and culturally appropriate across 85+ diverse countries, each with unique operational nuances and regulatory environments.

• Keeping Pace with Operational Changes: Ensuring training content remains current with rapidly evolving retail operations, product offerings, and strategic initiatives across a global organization.

• Leveraging AI Effectively: Integrating AI tools strategically to enhance efficiency and effectiveness without compromising the human element or quality of instruction.

• Measuring ROI: Quantifying the direct business impact and ROI of training programs in a complex global retail environment.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Managing expectations and gaining buy-in from a wide range of international stakeholders with varying priorities and levels of engagement.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Instructional Design: Opportunities to explore cutting-edge instructional design methodologies, learning technologies, and AI applications in L&D.

• Global Operations Exposure: Gaining deep insights into the operational intricacies of Starbucks markets worldwide.

• Leadership Development: Potential to take on leadership responsibilities for projects or teams, enhancing management and strategic planning skills.

• Industry Engagement: Attending global L&D and Retail Operations conferences to stay abreast of industry trends and network with peers.

• Cross-functional Projects: Participating in projects that span beyond L&D, offering broader business exposure within Starbucks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for strategic thinking, adaptability, and strong problem-solving skills, which are hallmarks of successful operations professionals. The growth opportunities are tailored to developing expertise in global operations and L&D leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex instructional design project you managed from start to finish, focusing on how you adapted it for diverse international audiences and measured its impact on operational performance." (Focus on process, global adaptation, and metrics).

• "How have you used AI tools in your instructional design process? Provide an example of how AI improved efficiency or effectiveness in a project." (Be specific about tools and outcomes).

• "Imagine a new operational procedure is being rolled out globally. How would you approach designing and deploying the necessary training to ensure rapid partner competency across different regions?" (Focus on strategy, scalability, and localization).

• "How do you stay current with adult learning best practices and emerging instructional design technologies, particularly those relevant to retail operations?" (Demonstrate continuous learning mindset). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Starbucks' mission and values, and how do you see them aligning with your approach to developing training for retail partners?" (Connect your values to Starbucks').

• "How would you foster collaboration and gather input from cross-functional teams across different countries and cultures for a training initiative?" (Highlight communication and stakeholder management skills).

• "How do you ensure training programs contribute to a positive partner experience and the overall Starbucks brand promise?" (Link training to customer and partner experience). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Prioritize Impact: Select portfolio pieces that clearly demonstrate measurable results (e.g., improved efficiency, reduced errors, increased sales, enhanced customer satisfaction).

• Tell a Story: For each case study, frame it as a narrative: the challenge, your solution, the process, and the outcome.

• Quantify Everything: Use numbers, percentages, and data points to illustrate the success of your projects.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, tools used, and how you handled specific challenges.

• Showcase DominKnow & AI: If possible, use examples that feature DominKnow and explain your use of AI tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for operations-focused roles, even in L&D, should emphasize a data-driven, process-oriented approach. Candidates need to demonstrate not just creative design skills but also strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and the ability to deliver tangible business results.

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📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the specified application link on the Starbucks careers portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 10+ years of experience in retail operations training, specifically mentioning your expertise in adult learning, e-learning development, video production, and any experience with global or international training initiatives. Quantify achievements wherever possible (e.g., "Developed training that reduced ramp-up time by X%", "Managed curriculum impacting Y partners across Z countries").

• Curate Your Portfolio: Prepare a digital portfolio that showcases 3-5 key projects, emphasizing your instructional design process, examples of e-learning and video content, and demonstrably positive impacts on partner performance or operational metrics. Ensure you can clearly articulate your use of DominKnow and any AI tools.

• Prepare for the Interview: Research Starbucks' global retail operations, its mission, and values. Practice articulating your experience with behavioral and situational questions, and be ready to present your portfolio with a focus on process, impact, and global adaptability. Prepare specific examples of how you've leveraged data and, if applicable, AI to drive training effectiveness.

⚠️ 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.