Learning Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Learning Design Manager

Company: Parsons Corporation

Location: SA - Riyadh, Qiddiya, Saudi Arabia

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Learning & Development / Operations

Date Posted: 2025-10-30

Experience Level: 6-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Designs, develops, and implements technical eLearning content, focusing on self-paced and blended learning modules to meet business needs.

• Leads the integration of health, safety, and wellbeing culture within the project and empowers teams to execute related initiatives.

• Manages, coaches, and mentors junior staff, ensuring their successful contribution to departmental deliverables and overall organizational objectives.

• Drives the development of innovative training and learning materials, applying adult learning principles and quality instructional design practices to enhance employee capabilities.

• Utilizes enterprise-level management software and e-learning platforms to improve training delivery, accessibility, and alignment with industry standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Learning Design Manager," the responsibilities heavily lean into operational execution of learning programs and content development. This role requires a strong understanding of how learning directly impacts business needs, employee performance, and operational efficiency, aligning it with a GTM (Go-To-Market) or broader operational function within a large corporation. The emphasis on business needs, workforce development, and measurable outcomes suggests a strategic operations component.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Execute the design, development, and implementation of technical eLearning content, focusing on innovative, self-paced learning and blended learning modules relevant to business needs.

• Lead the Health, Safety, and Wellbeing culture on the project, empowering the team to execute health/safety/wellbeing initiatives.

• Manage, coach, and mentor junior staff to successfully contribute to departmental deliverables.

• Deliver the Self-Led Holistic Training Academy by designing and delivering engaging eLearning and digital learning content that supports the business needs of the Development Organization using industry-standard tools (Articulate 360 preferred).

• Support the development of the training and curriculum strategy in collaboration with the People and Culture Team and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and workforce needs.

• Define clear learning objectives and develop assessments to measure capability and training effectiveness.

• Design the creation of innovative training/learning materials and programs that are engaging and effective for diverse employee groups, reflecting quality instructional design practices and adult learning principles.

• Drive and uphold best content management practices to ensure training materials are up-to-date, accessible, and easily retrievable; implement and design learning curricula, develop learning spaces, learning pathways, and learning content.

• Work closely with SMEs and other relevant stakeholders to develop tailored training solutions that address specific functional needs and drive the capabilities framework.

• Manage stakeholders’ expectations and provide regular updates to internal and external stakeholders.

• Utilize technology and e-learning platforms to enhance training delivery and accessibility for all employees, ensuring alignment with the latest industry standards and organizational frameworks.

• Enable the use of AI Assessments, gamified checkpoints, and digital simulations in learning content to ensure immersive and conceptual learning modules.

• Provide regular reports to senior management on training outcomes, participant feedback, and areas for improvement, highlighting alignment with priority training and curriculum strategy.

• Drive quality standards for all learning materials, ensuring content accuracy and alignment with instructional objectives and agreed business capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of strategic planning (curriculum strategy, learning pathways) and tactical execution (content development, tool utilization, reporting). The focus on business needs, capabilities framework, and measurable outcomes (training effectiveness, participant feedback) positions this role as critical for operational enablement and continuous improvement within the Development Organization.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Education, Educational Technology, Business, or a related field.

Experience: 6 - 10 years of experience as an Instructional Designer, Learning Creator, or in a role involving direct creation of learning content across a range of subjects.

Required Skills:

• Instructional Design & eLearning Development: Proven ability to design and develop engaging, effective eLearning and digital learning content using industry-standard tools.

• Curriculum Strategy Development: Experience in supporting the creation and alignment of training and curriculum strategies with organizational objectives and workforce needs.

• Project & Stakeholder Management: Experience in managing multiple learning or business projects simultaneously, managing stakeholder expectations, and providing regular updates.

• Adult Learning Principles: Deep understanding of adult learning principles and instructional design best practices to create impactful learning experiences.

• Content Management: Ability to drive and uphold best content management practices for training materials.

• Assessment Design: Proficiency in defining learning objectives and developing assessments to measure capability and training effectiveness.

• Technology Utilization: Demonstrated proficient use of enterprise-level management software (e.g., Microsoft 365) and e-learning platforms.

• Collaboration & Communication: Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, across multiple departments, with strong written and verbal English communication skills.

• Problem-Solving & Adaptability: Excellent problem-solving, decision-making, conflict resolution skills, with flexibility and adaptability to respond to changing business requirements and deliver to tight deadlines.

• Coaching & Mentoring: Experience in managing, coaching, and mentoring junior staff.

Preferred Skills:

• Articulate 360 Proficiency: Experience using Articulate 360 products is advantageous.

• Industry Experience: Prior experience in the Development, Design, Engineering, or Construction industries developing and delivering online training programs.

• Competency-Based Education: Understanding of competency-based education, data-informed learning journeys, and immersive storytelling.

• Professional Certifications: Certifications such as SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or in organizational development or coaching can be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills highlight a blend of technical expertise in learning design and soft skills crucial for operational roles, such as project management, stakeholder communication, and leadership. The preference for specific industry experience and advanced learning methodologies indicates a desire for a candidate who can quickly integrate and contribute to specialized operational training needs.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Instructional Design Case Studies: Showcase examples of designed and developed eLearning modules, blended learning programs, or digital learning content, detailing the instructional design process from analysis to evaluation.

• Curriculum Strategy Examples: Demonstrate experience in contributing to or developing training curricula, learning pathways, and learning spaces, illustrating how they align with business objectives.

• Assessment Design Samples: Provide examples of learning objectives, assessment strategies, and measurement tools used to evaluate training effectiveness and employee capabilities.

• Project Management Documentation: Illustrate experience managing multiple learning projects, potentially including project plans, stakeholder communication logs, and reports on project outcomes and ROI.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Document how learning content is designed, developed, and implemented, including any process optimization steps taken to improve efficiency or effectiveness.

• Implementation & Automation: Detail the methods used for deploying learning content, utilizing e-learning platforms, and integrating technologies like AI assessments or gamification.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Outline the process for reporting on training outcomes, participant feedback, and areas for improvement, demonstrating how these insights are used to refine learning strategies and content.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Learning Design Manager role with operational implications, a portfolio should clearly demonstrate the candidate's ability to translate business needs into effective learning solutions. This includes showcasing the entire lifecycle of learning development, from needs analysis and design to implementation, measurement, and continuous improvement, emphasizing efficiency and impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Learning Design Manager with 6-10 years of experience in a major project in Saudi Arabia, the estimated salary range is SAR 250,000 - SAR 350,000 per annum. This range accounts for the specialized nature of the role, the project's scale, and the cost of living in Riyadh.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, safety, and wellbeing programs and initiatives.

• Opportunities for professional development, coaching, and mentoring.

• Access to enterprise-level management software and advanced e-learning platforms.

• Participation in a dynamic and innovative work environment with opportunities for career growth.

• Potential for involvement in cutting-edge learning technologies such as AI assessments and digital simulations.

• Standard Saudi labor law benefits, likely including annual leave, end-of-service benefits, and medical insurance.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours, typically around 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility to meet project deadlines and business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on common expatriate professional compensation packages in Saudi Arabia for roles requiring significant experience and specialized skills within large engineering and construction firms. The specific benefits will depend on Parsons' standard offerings in the region.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Engineering, Construction, and Technology Services. Parsons is a global leader in providing technical, professional, and IT services to governments and private industries worldwide. Their projects often involve large-scale infrastructure, defense, and security initiatives.

Company Size: Parsons Corporation is a large, publicly traded company with tens of thousands of employees globally. This scale offers significant opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and exposure to diverse projects.

Founded: Founded in 1944, Parsons has a long history of innovation and delivering complex solutions. This longevity suggests a stable and established corporate culture with deep expertise.

Team Structure:

• The Learning Design Manager will likely be part of a broader Human Resources, People & Culture, or a dedicated Learning & Development department.

• The team structure would involve collaboration with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from various functional areas within the Development Organization, as well as HR Business Partners and potentially other learning specialists.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: Emphasis on using data to inform learning strategies, measure training effectiveness, and identify areas for improvement, aligning with a results-oriented operational approach.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: Focus on designing efficient and effective learning workflows, from content creation to delivery and evaluation, to maximize impact and resource utilization.

• Automation & Efficiency Practices: Encouraging the use of technology, including AI and digital simulations, to enhance learning experiences and operational efficiency in training delivery.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Parsons' global presence and focus on large-scale projects suggest a corporate culture that values expertise, innovation, and a structured approach to operations. For a Learning Design Manager, this translates to a need for robust process adherence, data-driven decision-making, and a focus on delivering tangible business outcomes through learning.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a management-level individual contributor with significant responsibility for program execution and team mentorship. It sits within the broader operational framework of talent development and workforce enablement.

Reporting Structure: The Learning Design Manager typically reports to a higher-level HR or L&D leader, such as an L&D Manager, Director of Learning & Development, or VP of Human Resources. This structure allows for strategic alignment and oversight.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is direct and measurable through improved employee capabilities, enhanced safety and wellbeing metrics, increased operational efficiency from skilled personnel, and successful adoption of new technologies or processes. The learning programs designed directly support the business needs of the Development Organization, contributing to project success and organizational growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in instructional design methodologies, learning technologies (AI, gamification), and curriculum strategy development.

• Leadership Development: Transition into roles with broader team management responsibilities, strategic L&D planning, or corporate learning function leadership.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Opportunity to lead learning initiatives across different project domains or business units within Parsons, gaining exposure to diverse operational challenges.

• Industry Specialization: Develop deep expertise in learning design for specific industries relevant to Parsons, such as engineering, construction, defense, or infrastructure development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within the L&D and HR operational functions. The emphasis on measurable outcomes and strategic contribution to business needs provides a strong foundation for advancing into more senior operational leadership positions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, suggesting a traditional office environment within the Qiddiya project location in Riyadh. The company culture emphasizes collaboration and innovation, likely reflected in the office design.

Office Location(s): SA - Riyadh (PIF-Qiddiya), Saudi Arabia. This specific location indicates the role supports a major development project, implying a dynamic and potentially fast-paced work environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect opportunities to work closely with Subject Matter Experts, HR team members, and project stakeholders, fostering a collaborative approach to learning design and implementation.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard learning development tools (e.g., Articulate 360) and enterprise management software (e.g., Microsoft 365) will be available to support daily tasks.

• Team Interaction: Regular team meetings, project huddles, and cross-departmental collaborations are expected, providing ample opportunities for knowledge sharing and operational synergy.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, typically around 40 hours per week. While standard office hours apply, the nature of project-based work may require flexibility to meet critical deadlines for learning content development and deployment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in a specific project location like Qiddiya suggests an immersive work environment where the learning and development function is closely integrated with project operations and business objectives.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess alignment with required skills and experience in learning design and project management.

• Technical Interview: Discussion focused on instructional design methodologies, experience with specific tools (Articulate 360, etc.), and case studies demonstrating your approach to learning challenges. Expect to discuss how you define learning objectives and measure training effectiveness.

• Managerial/Team Interview: Conversations with the hiring manager and potential team members to assess leadership potential, coaching/mentoring experience, stakeholder management skills, and cultural fit within the Parsons team.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment, impact on business objectives, and overall fit within the company's operational framework.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Impact, Not Just Process: For each project, clearly articulate the business problem, your role, the solution you designed, and the measurable outcomes or improvements achieved (e.g., increased efficiency, reduced errors, improved safety compliance).

• Highlight Operational Alignment: Demonstrate how your learning solutions directly support business needs, workforce development goals, and operational efficiency within the Development Organization.

• Process Clarity: Organize your portfolio to clearly show your instructional design process, from needs analysis and objective setting to development, implementation, and evaluation.

• Tool Proficiency: Include examples that showcase your expertise with relevant tools, especially Articulate 360, and how you leverage technology for immersive and effective learning.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize experience relevant to technical eLearning, blended learning, and potentially the construction/engineering/development industries if applicable.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential design challenge or case study, where you might be asked to outline a learning solution for a given business problem. Focus on your process, how you'd involve SMEs, and how you'd measure success.

• Practice articulating your experience in managing multiple projects and stakeholders, highlighting your ability to prioritize and deliver under pressure.

• Prepare to discuss how you incorporate adult learning principles, competency-based education, and innovative technologies like AI into your learning designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely assess not only technical instructional design skills but also the candidate's ability to operate within a structured corporate environment, manage projects, influence stakeholders, and drive measurable results, all critical aspects of an operational role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Articulate 360 Suite: Highly preferred for authoring interactive eLearning content, including Storyline 360, Rise 360, and Content Library.

• Learning Management System (LMS): Experience with deploying and managing content within an enterprise-level LMS is crucial for tracking, reporting, and accessibility.

• Microsoft 365 Suite: Proficient use of Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and potentially Teams for collaboration, content creation, and project management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• LMS Reporting Tools: Ability to extract and analyze data from the LMS to report on training completion rates, assessment scores, and learner engagement.

• Survey & Feedback Tools: Experience using tools to gather participant feedback and measure training effectiveness.

• Data Visualization Tools: Familiarity with tools that can help present training outcomes and impact to senior management.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Software: Experience with tools for managing multiple learning projects, tracking timelines, and assigning tasks.

• Collaboration Platforms: Proficiency in platforms like Microsoft Teams for real-time communication and collaboration with distributed teams and SMEs.

• AI & Gamification Tools: Experience or familiarity with integrating AI-powered assessments, gamified checkpoints, and digital simulations into learning modules.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Articulate 360 and enterprise-level management software highlights the need for proficiency in modern learning development tools and robust corporate systems, aligning with typical operational technology stacks.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Quality: Upholding high standards for all learning materials, ensuring content accuracy and alignment with instructional objectives and business capabilities.

• Innovation: Driving the creation of innovative training and learning materials, enabling the use of AI, gamification, and digital simulations.

• Collaboration: Working closely with SMEs, People & Culture, and other stakeholders to develop tailored training solutions and foster a shared learning culture.

• Integrity: Demonstrating leadership behaviors in line with established Core Values, including integrity, safety, inclusion, quality, and innovation.

• Efficiency: Optimizing learning delivery and accessibility through technology and effective content management practices.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: A strong emphasis on working collaboratively with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from various departments to develop accurate and relevant training content.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Proactive management of stakeholder expectations, providing regular updates, and ensuring alignment between learning initiatives and business objectives.

• Mentorship & Development: A culture of coaching and mentoring junior staff to foster their growth and contribution to departmental goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core values and collaboration style reflect a professional, results-oriented environment where learning is seen as a critical operational lever for project success and employee development, emphasizing teamwork and continuous improvement.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Diverse Needs: Effectively catering to diverse employee groups and functional needs within a large organization while maintaining consistent quality and alignment with strategic objectives.

• Keeping Pace with Technology: Integrating new learning technologies like AI, gamification, and simulations effectively and efficiently into existing learning frameworks.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Managing expectations and securing buy-in from various stakeholders, including SMEs, project managers, and senior leadership, who may have different priorities.

• Measuring Impact: Developing robust methods to accurately measure the effectiveness and business impact of learning programs to demonstrate ROI.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Learning Technologies: Gaining hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools and methodologies in AI-driven learning, gamification, and virtual/augmented reality for training.

• Strategic L&D Planning: Opportunity to contribute to and influence the broader training and curriculum strategy of the Development Organization.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Developing leadership skills through managing junior staff and potentially leading cross-functional learning projects.

• Industry Exposure: Deepening understanding of learning needs within the engineering, construction, and development sectors, enhancing specialized expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for operations roles in large, complex organizations, requiring adaptability, strategic thinking, and strong execution skills. The growth opportunities align with career progression in operational leadership and specialized functional expertise.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Operationalizing Learning: "Describe how you would translate a specific business need within the Development Organization into a comprehensive eLearning strategy and curriculum. What metrics would you use to measure its success?" (Focus on process, impact, and data-driven approach.)

• Stakeholder Engagement: "How do you manage competing priorities and ensure buy-in from Subject Matter Experts who may have limited time? Provide an example of a challenging stakeholder situation you navigated." (Highlight communication, negotiation, and collaboration skills.)

• Problem-Solving in Learning Design: "Imagine a scenario where initial feedback indicates a training module is not meeting its learning objectives. What steps would you take to diagnose the issue and revise the content?" (Demonstrate analytical skills and iterative design process.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of Parsons and the 'Imagine Next' philosophy, how would you ensure our learning programs foster innovation and continuous improvement?" (Show research and cultural alignment.)

• "How do you approach coaching and mentoring junior learning designers to help them develop their skills and contribute effectively?" (Assess leadership and team development capabilities.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with a high-level overview of the project's business objective, followed by your specific role and solution. Clearly articulate the problem, your approach, the developed solution, and the quantifiable results or impact.

• Showcase Process & Tools: Briefly walk through your instructional design process and highlight your proficiency with key tools like Articulate 360 and any LMS you've used.

• Focus on Measurable Outcomes: Emphasize metrics, ROI, and how your learning interventions contributed to operational efficiency, skill enhancement, or business goals.

• Address Specific Role Requirements: Tailor your examples to highlight experience with technical eLearning, blended learning, adult learning principles, and any relevant industry experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strategic yet practical approach to learning design, emphasizing its role as a key operational lever for business success. Candidates should be ready to articulate their process, showcase results, and align their skills with Parsons' values and project needs.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Learning Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Parsons careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature 2-3 key projects that best demonstrate your experience in technical eLearning, curriculum strategy, and impact measurement, aligning with the responsibilities outlined.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your 6-10 years of relevant experience, specific skills in instructional design and learning technologies (especially Articulate 360), and any experience managing projects or mentoring staff. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your portfolio projects using the STAR method, focusing on the situation, task, action, and result. Prepare to discuss your approach to adult learning principles, stakeholder management, and measuring training effectiveness.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Parsons Corporation, their projects (especially in Saudi Arabia), and their stated values (e.g., "Imagine Next," safety, quality, innovation). Understand how learning and development supports their operational goals.

⚠️ 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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