Retail Learning & Development Content Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Retail Learning & Development Content Design Manager

Company: Vuori, Inc

Location: Carlsbad, California, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Learning & Development / Retail Operations Support

Date Posted: 2025-09-22T18:48:00.715

Experience Level: 5-10 Years Professional Experience

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the design and development of comprehensive learning and onboarding programs tailored for Vuori's retail teams, driving employee growth and engagement.

• Craft engaging and effective learning content across multiple modalities, ensuring alignment with Vuori's brand values and competency frameworks to foster a culture of continuous development.

• Collaborate closely with the Director of Retail Learning and Development and People & Culture teams to define learning outcomes, identify content gaps, and implement innovative development strategies.

• Leverage expertise in adult learning principles and instructional design to create impactful learning experiences that enhance knowledge retention, drive behavior change, and simplify the learning journey for a dynamic retail workforce.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Content Design Manager," the responsibilities and required skills clearly indicate a role focused on the application of learning and development principles within a retail context, rather than pure content creation or design in a vacuum. The emphasis is on building programs that support the "whole person" and drive business outcomes in a fast-paced retail environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, create, and iterate on engaging learning materials and onboarding journeys that foster employee connection, simplify learning, and inspire adherence to Vuori's core values and competencies.

• Produce and edit captivating content, including interactive training elements, to enhance the overall retail onboarding and ongoing learning experience for all store associates and leaders.

• Partner with the Director of Retail Learning and Senior Retail Learning Manager to define clear learning objectives, identify critical content needs, and recommend/implement effective learning strategies.

• Research, recommend, and implement appropriate platforms and tools for delivering learning content to employees, particularly in the absence of a formal Learning Management System (LMS).

• Develop and execute strategies for assessing learning effectiveness and gathering feedback from learners and stakeholders to continuously refine and improve programs, ensuring they meet defined outcomes and business objectives.

• Translate brand standards and company values into digestible and actionable learning content that supports employee development and reinforces Vuori's unique culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on approach to content development and program management within the retail sector. The role requires not only creative design but also strategic planning, stakeholder collaboration, and a deep understanding of the needs of a customer-facing retail workforce.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• A minimum of 4 years of professional experience in Learning & Development, Instructional Design, or a related content development role, with a strong emphasis on retail or customer-facing environments.

• Demonstrated experience in building and implementing learning programs from conception to execution, with a portfolio showcasing successful projects.

Required Skills:

• Retail Workforce Dynamics: Deep understanding of the unique pace, challenges, and needs of retail employees and customer-facing teams.

• Instructional Design Principles: Strong knowledge of adult learning theories (e.g., andragogy) and established instructional design models (e.g., ADDIE, SAM) for effective learning development.

• Content Creation & Modalities: Proficiency in designing and developing content across various formats, including eLearning, instructor-led training (ILT), virtual instructor-led training (VILT), and written materials (scripts, guides, job aids).

• Visual Design Acumen: A keen eye for visual aesthetics and the ability to apply brand standards consistently to learning materials, ensuring a cohesive and professional appearance.

• Written Communication: Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to craft clear, concise, and digestible copy for instructional text, audio/video scripts, handouts, and other learning resources.

• Time Management & Organization: Highly organized with exceptional time management skills, capable of setting and managing expectations, and prioritizing competing demands in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Course Development Software: Familiarity with or proficiency in industry-standard course development software such as Articulate Storyline/Rise, Vyond, WalkMe, or similar authoring tools.

• Lesson & Curriculum Planning: Skilled in planning lessons and curricula that effectively meet learning objectives and cater to different learning styles and delivery methods.

• Collaboration & Feedback: Proven ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and to gather, interpret, and act on learner and stakeholder feedback for continuous improvement.

• Video Production/Editing: Basic understanding or experience with video production and editing principles for creating engaging learning videos.

• Learning Platform Knowledge: Experience recommending and working with various learning delivery platforms, especially in environments without a formal LMS.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "4+ years professional experience" requirement, combined with the emphasis on building programs from the ground up and designing across modalities, suggests an intermediate to senior-level individual contributor role. The preference for specific authoring tools like Articulate indicates a need for practical, hands-on content development skills.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Learning Program Showcase: A portfolio demonstrating successful design and implementation of at least one comprehensive learning or onboarding program, ideally for a retail or customer-facing audience.

• Content Modality Variety: Examples of learning content created across multiple modalities (e.g., eLearning modules, facilitator guides, participant workbooks, video scripts, job aids) to showcase versatility.

• Instructional Design Process: Evidence of the instructional design process followed, from needs assessment and objective setting to content development, pilot testing, and evaluation.

• Brand Alignment: Samples that clearly demonstrate the ability to align learning content with established brand guidelines and company culture.

• Impact & Measurement: Examples that illustrate how learning content has driven behavior change, improved knowledge retention, or contributed to business outcomes, supported by relevant metrics or feedback.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate a structured approach to content development, including needs analysis, learning objective definition, content outlining, and storyboarding.

• Showcase experience in documenting processes for content creation, review cycles, and version control to ensure quality and consistency.

• Provide examples of how feedback loops are integrated into the content development lifecycle for iterative improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role to validate the candidate's ability to conceptualize, design, and deliver effective learning solutions. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their design choices and the impact of their work.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $93,400 - $120,120 per year.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance coverage to support employee well-being.

• Savings and Retirement Plan: Access to a savings and retirement plan, aiding in long-term financial security.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Support services to help employees navigate personal and professional challenges.

• Generous Vuori Discount & Industry Perks: Significant discounts on Vuori products and other industry-related benefits.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Ample paid time off to ensure work-life balance and employee rejuvenation.

• Wellness & Fitness Benefits: Programs and benefits designed to promote employee health and fitness, aligning with the company's active lifestyle ethos.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week. Flexibility may be available depending on project demands and team collaboration needs, but the role is designated as on-site.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific and competitive for a manager-level role in the L&D/content design space, particularly in a California location. The benefits package is robust and aligns with the company's focus on employee well-being and active lifestyle.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Athletic Apparel / Retail. Vuori is positioned as a premium lifestyle brand inspired by the active coastal California lifestyle, blending fitness with everyday wear.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated in the provided data, Vuori has experienced significant growth, indicating a medium to large-sized organization with a growing retail footprint. This size suggests a dynamic environment with opportunities for impact but also a need for structured processes.

Founded: Vuori was founded in 2015. This relatively recent founding means the company culture is likely still evolving, with a strong emphasis on innovation, agility, and building foundational processes.

Team Structure:

• The role reports to the Director, Retail Learning and Development, indicating a dedicated L&D function within the broader People and Culture (HR) department.

• Close collaboration is expected with the Senior Retail Learning Manager and other members of the People and Culture team, suggesting a cross-functional and collaborative team environment.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Development: The emphasis on outcomes, feedback assessment, and refining programs suggests a data-informed approach to learning and development.

• Iterative Design: The responsibility to "iterate on learning materials" points to an agile and iterative process for content creation and program improvement.

• Innovation & Rethinking Models: The mention of "testing new modalities and rethinking traditional HR-models" indicates a culture that encourages experimentation and forward-thinking approaches to employee development.

Company Website: vuoriclothing.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Vuori's brand identity is deeply tied to an active, coastal California lifestyle. This ethos likely permeates the company culture, promoting a positive, energetic, and health-conscious work environment. The L&D function plays a crucial role in embodying and disseminating this culture through employee training.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role sits at a Manager level within the Learning & Development function, focusing on content design and program development for the retail sector. It's a specialized role requiring expertise in instructional design and adult learning principles applied to a specific business unit (retail).

Reporting Structure: The role reports to the Director, Retail Learning and Development. This structure provides a clear line of guidance and mentorship, with opportunities to contribute to strategic L&D initiatives led by the Director. The collaboration with the Senior Retail Learning Manager suggests a team-oriented approach where expertise is shared and leveraged.

Operations Impact: The content designed and programs developed by this role will directly impact the performance, engagement, and retention of Vuori's retail associates. By equipping the retail fleet with the necessary knowledge, skills, and understanding of Vuori's values and competencies, this role contributes significantly to the customer experience, brand consistency, and ultimately, revenue generation. Effective onboarding and continuous learning are critical drivers of retail success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization Advancement: Potential to deepen expertise in retail L&D, instructional design, and learning technology, potentially leading to more senior L&D roles or specialization in areas like digital learning or leadership development.

• Program Ownership: Opportunity to take full ownership of key learning programs, from strategy and design to implementation and evaluation, building a strong portfolio of successful initiatives.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Collaboration with various departments (Retail Operations, Marketing, People & Culture) offers exposure to different business functions and potential pathways for broader career development within the company.

• Leadership Development: As a manager, there's an opportunity to mentor junior team members or contribute to the strategic direction of the L&D function, paving the way for future leadership opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on building programs "from the ground up" suggests a significant opportunity for this individual to make a tangible impact and shape the L&D landscape for Vuori's retail operations, offering substantial career growth potential within a rapidly expanding company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, indicating a traditional office or hybrid work environment where employees are expected to be physically present at the company's Carlsbad, California location for a significant portion of their workweek.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is 5600 Avenida Encinas, Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA. This location is situated in San Diego County, known for its vibrant business community and active lifestyle.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: As an on-site role, the workspace is likely designed to foster collaboration, with opportunities for face-to-face interaction with the L&D team, People & Culture department, and potentially retail leadership.

• Creative Environment: Given Vuori's brand and culture, the workspace may reflect a creative and energetic atmosphere, potentially incorporating elements that align with the coastal California lifestyle.

• Resource Access: Being on-site provides direct access to necessary office resources, technology, and potentially specialized L&D tools or studios if available.

Work Schedule:

• The role is full-time, likely adhering to standard business hours (e.g., 9 AM - 5 PM PST), with an expectation of 40 hours per week. While the description emphasizes flexibility in learning modalities, the work schedule itself is tied to the on-site requirement. Occasional flexibility might be expected for critical project deadlines or team events.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is a key factor for candidates, suggesting the company values in-person collaboration and team cohesion for this role. The Carlsbad location offers a desirable work environment in Southern California.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Typically begins with a recruiter or HR representative to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest in the role.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation with the Director, Retail Learning and Development to delve deeper into experience, skills, and understanding of L&D principles in a retail context.

• Skills Assessment/Portfolio Review: A critical stage where candidates present their portfolio, showcasing their design process, content examples, and the impact of their work. This may also involve a practical exercise or case study related to designing a learning module for a specific retail challenge.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders, such as the Senior Retail Learning Manager or representatives from Retail Operations, to evaluate collaboration skills and alignment with team needs.

• Final Interview/Offer: Potentially a final conversation with senior leadership or a final offer discussion.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase 2-3 of your strongest projects that best represent your skills in instructional design, content creation, and retail L&D.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem/need, your design process, the solutions implemented, and the measurable results or impact achieved.

• Highlight Retail Relevance: Emphasize projects that demonstrate an understanding of the retail environment, customer experience, and the unique needs of frontline employees.

• Showcase Modality Range: Include examples of content developed for different delivery methods to demonstrate versatility.

• Prepare for Questions: Be ready to discuss your design choices, rationale behind specific learning strategies, and how you gather and incorporate feedback.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate Design Tasks: Be prepared for a task that might involve outlining a new onboarding module, redesigning an existing piece of content, or proposing a learning solution for a specific retail scenario.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate a clear and logical instructional design process in your approach to any challenge presented.

• Brand Integration: Consider how you would incorporate Vuori's brand voice, values, and visual identity into any learning materials you create.

• Technology Considerations: Think about how you would deliver content effectively, especially if a formal LMS is not yet in place, as mentioned in the job description.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role. Candidates should meticulously prepare examples that directly address the responsibilities outlined, particularly those related to designing for retail and utilizing various content modalities. Being able to articulate the "why" behind design decisions will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Course Authoring Software: Proficiency in tools like Articulate Storyline/Rise, Adobe Captivate, or similar eLearning development software is highly desirable.

• Video Creation/Editing: Familiarity with tools such as Vyond, Camtasia, Adobe Premiere Pro, or Final Cut Pro for creating engaging video content.

• Graphic Design Tools: Basic to intermediate skills in graphic design software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Canva for creating visual assets.

• Presentation Software: Advanced skills in Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides for creating presentations and facilitator guides.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM or automation tools are specified for this L&D role. However, understanding how learning content integrates with HRIS or employee onboarding platforms could be an advantage.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job description specifically mentions "Knowledge of course development software (Articulate, Vyond, WalkMe, etc.)". Candidates should highlight their experience with these types of tools, as they are central to the content creation aspect of this role. If WalkMe is mentioned, it implies a potential need for digital adoption platform (DAP) content, which is a specialized area within L&D and would be a significant differentiator.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Craftsmanship: A "craftsman mentality" is explicitly mentioned, emphasizing attention to detail, quality, and pride in one's work.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on partnering with the Director, Senior Manager, and the People & Culture team, suggesting a highly collaborative and team-oriented environment.

• Innovation & Experimentation: An openness to "test new modalities and rethink traditional HR-models" indicates a culture that values creativity and forward-thinking solutions.

• Holistic Development: A commitment to developing "the whole person—both in and outside of work," suggesting a supportive and employee-centric culture.

• Efficiency & Simplicity: The goal to "simplify learning" implies a value placed on clear, concise, and user-friendly learning experiences.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires close partnership with the L&D and People & Culture teams, and implicitly with retail operations and management. This suggests a style that is communicative, proactive, and focused on shared goals.

• Feedback-Driven Improvement: The process of gathering feedback from learners and stakeholders indicates a culture that values continuous improvement and is receptive to input.

• Agile & Iterative: The need to iterate on content and respond to evolving needs points to an agile approach to project management and content development.

📝 Enhancement Note: Vuori's culture appears to be a blend of a fast-paced, growing company with a strong emphasis on employee well-being, creativity, and a commitment to its core values. Candidates who thrive in dynamic environments and value personal growth will likely find this a good fit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Building from Scratch: Designing and implementing learning programs and content without an established LMS presents a challenge in terms of platform selection, content distribution, and tracking effectiveness.

• Retail Workforce Engagement: Capturing the attention and ensuring consistent engagement of a diverse and often dispersed retail workforce across multiple locations requires creative and impactful learning solutions.

• Balancing Brand & Instruction: Effectively translating Vuori's aspirational brand identity into practical, behavior-driving learning content requires a skillful blend of creative storytelling and instructional design rigor.

• Measuring Impact: Demonstrating the ROI and direct impact of learning initiatives on key retail metrics can be challenging, requiring a robust approach to evaluation.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Platform Strategy: Opportunity to research, evaluate, and potentially implement new learning technologies or platforms, gaining experience in learning systems strategy.

• Program Ownership: Lead the end-to-end development of critical retail onboarding and development programs, building a strong portfolio of managed initiatives.

• Cross-Departmental Influence: Gain exposure to and influence L&D strategy across different departments as the company grows.

• Industry Trends: Stay abreast of and apply cutting-edge content design techniques and adult learning methodologies in a real-world, fast-paced setting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge lies in establishing robust L&D infrastructure and content delivery mechanisms in a growing company that may not yet have all formal systems in place. This also represents a significant growth opportunity for an ambitious L&D professional.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Program Design Philosophy: "Describe your process for designing a comprehensive onboarding program for a retail team. What are the key elements you would include, and how would you ensure it reflects the company's culture and values?" (Focus on structured approach, needs analysis, modality selection, and cultural integration).

• Content Creation Process: "Walk me through an example of how you've developed a piece of learning content (e.g., an eLearning module, a video script). What instructional design models did you use, and what was the outcome?" (Highlight design choices, rationale, and impact).

• Retail-Specific Challenges: "What are the unique challenges of designing learning for a retail workforce, and how have you addressed them in your previous roles?" (Emphasize understanding of frontline dynamics, time constraints, and engagement strategies).

• Platform Recommendation: "If Vuori didn't have an LMS, what types of platforms or tools would you recommend for effective content delivery to our retail associates, and why?" (Demonstrate awareness of various delivery methods and technologies).

Company & Culture Questions:

• Brand Alignment: "How would you ensure that learning content for Vuori consistently reflects our brand identity and coastal California lifestyle?" (Connect your design approach to brand values).

• Collaboration Approach: "Describe your experience working with stakeholders in different departments. How do you ensure buy-in and collaboration on L&D initiatives?" (Showcase communication and partnership skills).

• Measuring Success: "How do you measure the effectiveness of learning content and programs, particularly in a retail setting?" (Focus on feedback, performance metrics, and business impact).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Contextualize Each Piece: For every item in your portfolio, clearly state the objective, target audience, your role, the process you followed, and the impact or results.

• Showcase Versatility: Ensure your presented examples cover a range of content types and delivery methods to demonstrate your breadth of skills.

• Highlight Vuori's Brand: Consider how you might tailor a sample piece of content to Vuori's brand and values, or discuss how you would approach this if asked.

• Be Prepared for Technical Questions: Be ready to discuss the tools and software you used and why you selected them for specific projects.

• Focus on Action and Impact: Emphasize what you did and the results you achieved, rather than just describing the content itself.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should thoroughly research Vuori's brand, mission, and values. Preparing specific examples that align with the company's ethos and addressing the "building from the ground up" aspect of the role will be crucial for a successful interview.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Retail Learning & Development Content Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided SmartRecruiters link.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to highlight your strongest work in instructional design, content creation for retail environments, and experience with various learning modalities. Prioritize examples that demonstrate your ability to translate brand values into actionable learning.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 4+ years of relevant experience, specific skills in instructional design software, adult learning theories, and your success in developing and implementing learning programs. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, showcasing your portfolio with clear explanations of impact, and preparing thoughtful answers to potential behavioral and situational interview questions related to retail L&D challenges.

• Company Research: Deeply understand Vuori's brand, mission, values, and culture. Familiarize yourself with their product offerings and target customer to better align your responses with the company's identity and 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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