Learning Content Designer (Transformation) (6-month contract)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Learning Content Designer (Transformation) (6-month contract)

Company: ERM

Location: Atlanta, Georgia / Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Job Type: Part-time Contract

Category: Learning & Development Operations / GTM Enablement

Date Posted: 2026-09-05

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years implied)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop high-impact learning content that drives performance and behavior change within a global organization undergoing transformation.

• Synthesize complex, technical, and specialist information into accessible and effective learning assets, leveraging generative AI tools responsibly.

• Partner with subject matter experts (SMEs) and stakeholders across various services and regions to deliver value-adding learning solutions.

• Contribute to a consistent and engaging learner experience across diverse platforms and formats, ensuring operational excellence in learning program coordination and content management.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role, while titled "Learning Content Designer," has strong operational components related to GTM enablement and organizational transformation. The emphasis on scaling learning, driving behavior change, and managing content across global platforms positions it within the broader operations spectrum, particularly for roles focused on enablement, process standardization, and organizational efficiency through learning. The 6-month contract nature suggests a project-driven, agile approach often seen in operational transformation initiatives.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and write learner-centered content aligned with defined learning outcomes, skills, and desired behaviors, applying instructional design principles for application over mere knowledge transfer.

• Rapidly distill complex, technical, or specialist information into effective and usable learning content, prioritizing key performance drivers for learners.

• Leverage generative AI tools to support drafting, content variation, scenario creation, and iterative content development, while applying strong editorial judgment for accuracy, relevance, and ethical AI use.

• Create modular, reusable learning content suitable for use in the flow of work, designed for multi-format delivery including instructor-led, self-paced, digital, blended, and campaign-based learning.

• Partner effectively with SMEs across global services and regions to extract insights, ask targeted questions to surface performance needs, and translate SME input into learner-centric content.

• Build and maintain learning assets using appropriate tools and formats, ensuring design for delivery via LMS/LXP and workplace platforms (e.g., Teams, SharePoint), adhering to accessibility, inclusion, and ERM learning design standards.

• Manage learning logistics, including scheduling, instructor communications, virtual session setup, and maintaining training calendars and LMS data accuracy.

• Support the evaluation of learning programs by monitoring attendance, feedback, and engagement metrics, and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives and process documentation.

• Collaborate with Global Learning Program Leads to prepare and distribute learning materials, and liaise with IT and HRIS teams for integration with Workday and SSO systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of core instructional design with significant operational duties, including program coordination, content management, platform integration, and stakeholder management. This indicates a need for an individual who can not only create content but also manage its lifecycle and delivery within organizational systems.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in Instructional Design, Education, Communications, or a related field is typically expected for this level of role. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered. Experience:

• 5-10 years of demonstrated experience in instructional design, learning content writing, and rapid sense-making, with a focus on translating complex information into usable learning assets.

• Proven experience designing learning across multiple formats (instructor-led, self-paced, digital, blended, campaign-based).

• Experience creating modular and reusable learning content.

• Experience managing learning logistics and coordinating training programs in a global or matrixed organization is preferred. Required Skills:

• Strong instructional design, learning content writing, and sense-making capabilities.

• Demonstrated ability to independently design and write learning content aligned to defined outcomes, skills, and behaviors.

• Experience rapidly distilling complex, technical, or specialist information into usable learning content.

• Effective use of generative AI tools for drafting, content variation, scenario generation, summarization, and iterative development.

• Strong human learning judgment to validate accuracy, relevance, ethical AI use, and learning effectiveness.

• Experience designing learning across multiple formats.

• Ability to create modular, reusable learning content suitable for use in the flow of work.

• Strong stakeholder management skills and confidence partnering with SMEs across regions and services.

• Experience using learning content development tools and designing for LMS/LXP and workplace platforms (e.g., Teams, SharePoint).

• Awareness of accessibility, inclusion, and learning design standards.

• Strong organizational and time management skills with high attention to detail.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Teams).

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across teams and time zones.

• Comfort working in ambiguous, fast-moving environments. Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with LMS platforms (Cornerstone OnDemand preferred).

• Familiarity with virtual learning tools (e.g., Zoom, MS Teams, Galaxy LXP).

• Understanding of adult learning principles and instructional design fundamentals.

• Experience coordinating learning or training programs in a global or matrixed organisation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize a blend of creative design, technical proficiency (AI, LMS, Office Suite), and strong operational acumen (stakeholder management, organization, time management). The preference for Cornerstone OnDemand indicates a specific system they utilize, which is a valuable keyword for operations professionals.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Instructional Design Case Studies: Showcase projects where you designed and developed learning content that demonstrably led to skill improvement, behavior change, or performance enhancement. Clearly articulate the problem, your design approach, the tools/technologies used, and the quantifiable results or impact.

• Content Samples: Provide examples of various learning formats (e.g., e-learning modules, facilitator guides, job aids, quick reference guides, digital resources) that demonstrate your ability to adapt content for different audiences and delivery methods.

• AI Application Examples: If possible, include examples where you've leveraged AI tools in the content creation process, highlighting how it improved efficiency, scalability, or content quality, along with your critical human judgment in refining AI outputs.

• Process Documentation: Examples of how you've documented learning processes, workflows, or content standards that promote consistency and operational efficiency.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate an understanding of and experience with documenting learning workflows, from initial needs analysis and SME consultation through content development, review cycles, and deployment.

• Showcase how you ensure content is modular, reusable, and adaptable for various platforms and future updates.

• Provide examples of how you track and report on learning effectiveness, feedback, and engagement metrics to inform continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, a portfolio is crucial to demonstrate practical application of design skills and operational execution. Candidates should highlight projects that show their ability to handle complexity, work with SMEs, and deliver tangible results, especially in transformation contexts.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Given the 6-month contract nature, mid-senior experience level, and the specialized skills (Instructional Design, AI application, global coordination), the estimated hourly rate for a Learning Content Designer in Atlanta, GA or Philadelphia, PA would typically range from $50 to $75 per hour. This estimate is based on research of similar contract roles in these metropolitan areas, considering the specific skills and responsibilities outlined, and factoring in the demand for transformation-focused learning professionals. Benefits:

• As this is a contract role, standard full-time benefits (health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off) may not be directly provided by ERM. However, contract employees often receive benefits through a third-party staffing agency or can procure their own. Potential benefits could include:

  • Access to a network of professional development resources.

  • Opportunity to work on high-profile global transformation projects.

  • Flexible working arrangements (hybrid model).

  • Potential for contract extension or future opportunities within ERM.

  • Competitive hourly rate reflecting specialized skills and contract duration. Working Hours:

• The role implies a standard full-time workload, estimated at 40 hours per week, to meet the demands of a 6-month contract focused on transformation. Flexibility across time zones is mentioned, suggesting the ability to adjust daily schedules to accommodate global team collaboration and SME availability.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on market data for contract instructional design roles in specified locations. Benefits are contextualized for a contract position. The working hours are inferred from typical full-time contract roles of this nature.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Consulting. ERM is a leading global pure-play sustainability consultancy.

Company Size: ERM is a large global organization, indicated by its extensive employee base and international presence. This scale implies complex operational structures and a need for standardized, scalable solutions.

Founded: ERM was founded in 1971, bringing a long history of expertise and a deep understanding of environmental and sustainability challenges. This longevity suggests stability and a mature approach to business operations.

Team Structure:

• The role will likely be part of a global or regional Learning & Development (L&D) team, potentially within HR or a dedicated Transformation Office.

• The structure will involve close collaboration with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) across various service lines (e.g., environmental, health, safety, risk, social) and geographical regions.

• Reporting likely to a Learning Program Lead or L&D Manager, with dotted-line reporting to transformation project leads. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Learning Design: Emphasis on understanding performance needs and designing learning that directly addresses them, with evaluation metrics to demonstrate impact.

• Agile & Iterative Development: The "transformation-led environment" and "fast-moving" nature suggest an agile approach to content creation, delivering usable content early and refining it over time.

• AI Integration: Responsible and effective use of generative AI is a core methodology to enhance speed and scalability in content development.

• Learner-Centricity: Focus on creating practical, relevant, and usable learning experiences tailored to the needs of employees in their "flow of work."

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

📝 Enhancement Note: ERM's focus on sustainability and ESG consulting suggests a culture that values expertise, innovation, and a commitment to positive impact. The operational implication for learning is the need to equip employees with cutting-edge knowledge and skills to serve clients effectively. The "boots to boardroom" approach highlights their comprehensive service model, which learning content must support.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-senior level individual contributor, focusing on specialized skills in learning content design and development within an operational context. It requires a high degree of autonomy and expertise.

Reporting Structure: The role likely reports to a manager within the L&D or HR function, with significant interaction and collaboration with SMEs and project stakeholders across different departments and geographies.

Operations Impact: The Learning Content Designer directly impacts ERM's operational efficiency and effectiveness by ensuring employees are skilled and capable of executing their roles, supporting business transformation, and ultimately contributing to client success and the company's growth strategy. By scaling learning, they reduce redundant training efforts and ensure consistent knowledge application.

Growth Opportunities:

• Project-Specific Expertise: Deepen knowledge in specific transformation areas or sustainability domains through the content developed.

• Instructional Design Specialization: Further develop expertise in advanced instructional design methodologies, AI-assisted learning development, and multi-format content creation.

• Program Management Exposure: Gain experience in managing learning programs, coordinating logistics, and working with LMS/LXP systems, which can lead to L&D program management roles.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Build a strong network across global teams, enhancing understanding of diverse business needs and operational challenges.

• Potential for Future Contracts/Roles: Successful performance in this 6-month contract could lead to extensions or opportunities for permanent roles within ERM's L&D or transformation initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth analysis focuses on how this contract role can serve as a stepping stone, offering skill development and exposure relevant to broader operations and L&D career paths within a global consulting firm.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. The role is based in Atlanta, GA or Philadelphia, PA, with flexibility for other East Coast locations. This implies a mix of remote work and in-office presence.

Office Location(s): Specific office locations in Atlanta, GA and Philadelphia, PA. The hybrid nature suggests employees will have access to office facilities for collaborative work, meetings, and focused tasks when needed.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The need to partner with SMEs and global teams suggests a culture that encourages cross-functional interaction, likely facilitated by tools like Microsoft Teams.

• Technology Enabled: Access to modern learning development tools, AI platforms, and workplace technologies (LMS/LXP, Teams, SharePoint) is integral to the role.

• Global Interaction: Opportunities to engage with a diverse, international workforce across different time zones, fostering a global perspective.

Work Schedule: While the role implies a standard 40-hour work week, the mention of working flexibly across time zones indicates a degree of autonomy in managing daily schedules to optimize collaboration with global teams and SMEs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment and global collaboration emphasis are key aspects for operations professionals, requiring strong self-management and digital communication skills.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a recruiter or HR screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and alignment with the contract duration and remote/hybrid expectations.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper dive into your instructional design philosophy, experience with complex content, AI tool usage, and stakeholder management skills. Expect behavioral questions.

• Portfolio Review & Practical Exercise: This is a critical stage. You'll likely present your portfolio, showcasing relevant case studies and content samples. A practical exercise or case study might be assigned to assess your ability to quickly synthesize information and design a learning concept.

• Team/SME Interview (Optional): You might meet with potential collaborators or SMEs to assess cultural fit and working style.

• Final Offer: Based on the collective feedback.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Relevance: Select 3-5 projects that best demonstrate your skills in designing for transformation, handling complex/technical content, and applying AI tools.

• Quantify Impact: For each project, clearly state the business problem, your solution, the learning outcomes, and any measurable results (e.g., improved performance metrics, reduced errors, increased adoption rates).

• Showcase Versatility: Include examples of different content formats and delivery methods.

• Highlight AI Usage: If you have specific examples of how AI enhanced your workflow or output, prepare to discuss them.

• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or skill demonstrated, with clear descriptions for each piece.

• Prepare to Discuss Process: Be ready to articulate your design process, how you collaborate with SMEs, and how you ensure learning effectiveness.

Challenge Preparation:

• Synthesize Information: Practice quickly summarizing dense technical documents or SME input into key learning points.

• Design Scenarios: Be prepared to outline how you would design a learning intervention for a given business challenge, focusing on behavior change and practical application.

• AI Application Strategy: Think about how you would ethically and effectively integrate AI into a learning design workflow to increase efficiency and scalability.

• Stakeholder Communication: Prepare examples of how you manage competing priorities, gather feedback, and communicate design decisions to stakeholders and SMEs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review and potential practical exercise highlights the hands-on nature of this role. Candidates should prepare to not only discuss their experience but also demonstrate their capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Learning Content Authoring Tools: Likely Articulate Storyline/Rise, Adobe Captivate, or similar.

• AI Tools: Generative AI platforms (e.g., ChatGPT, Bard, or specialized AI writing assistants) for drafting, content variation, and summarization.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Word (advanced document creation), Excel (data management for tracking/reporting), PowerPoint (presentations, basic e-learning slides), Teams (collaboration, virtual meetings).

• Collaboration Platforms: Microsoft Teams, SharePoint for document sharing and team communication.

Analytics & Reporting:

• LMS/LXP Platforms: Cornerstone OnDemand (preferred), or other enterprise-level Learning Management Systems and Learning Experience Platforms.

• Survey/Feedback Tools: For gathering learner input and evaluating program effectiveness.

• Basic Data Analysis: Ability to interpret feedback and usage metrics from learning platforms.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how learning integrates with employee data in HRIS (like Workday) and potentially CRM systems for sales enablement is beneficial.

• Integration Tools: Awareness of how learning platforms integrate with HRIS (Workday) and Single Sign-On (SSO) systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with AI tools and specific LMS platforms like Cornerstone OnDemand are key technical requirements. The ability to work within an integrated ecosystem (HRIS, SSO) is also important for operational effectiveness.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Agility and Adaptability: Embracing ambiguity and fast-moving environments, crucial for transformation projects.

• Collaboration and Partnership: Working effectively with SMEs and global teams to achieve shared objectives.

• Impact and Performance Focus: Designing learning that drives tangible business results and behavior change.

• Efficiency and Scalability: Utilizing tools and methodologies (including AI) to deliver learning effectively and at scale.

• Continuous Improvement: A commitment to evaluating learning programs and iterating for better outcomes.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive and Consultative: Engaging with SMEs and stakeholders as a learning partner, asking insightful questions and offering design expertise.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamlessly working with various departments and regions, understanding diverse needs and perspectives.

• Feedback-Driven: Open to receiving and providing constructive feedback on content and processes to enhance quality and effectiveness.

• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to a culture where best practices in learning design and development are shared and adopted.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes a dynamic, results-oriented approach where collaboration and adaptability are paramount, aligning with the demands of a transformation project in a global consulting firm.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Synthesizing Complex Information: The primary challenge will be rapidly distilling intricate technical or specialist knowledge from SMEs into clear, actionable learning content.

• Balancing Speed and Quality: Delivering content quickly in a fast-paced transformation environment while maintaining high quality, accuracy, and learning effectiveness.

• Global Stakeholder Management: Navigating diverse perspectives, priorities, and communication styles across different regions and services.

• AI Integration Nuances: Responsibly and effectively integrating generative AI into the workflow, ensuring human judgment remains paramount for accuracy and ethical considerations.

• Measuring Impact: Demonstrating the tangible impact of learning content on performance and behavior change within a project context.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI in Learning Specialization: Gain hands-on experience and develop expertise in leveraging AI for scalable learning content creation.

• Transformation Project Experience: Contribute to a significant organizational transformation, gaining insights into change management and strategic learning initiatives.

• Global L&D Practices: Exposure to diverse learning needs and approaches across ERM's global operations.

• Advanced Instructional Design: Deepen skills in designing for various modalities and adult learning principles within a practical, high-stakes environment.

• Networking: Build a robust network of contacts within ERM's global L&D and operational teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Identifying these challenges helps candidates prepare for the realities of the role and highlights the growth potential associated with overcoming them.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to synthesize highly technical or complex information into a learning module. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on sense-making, SME collaboration, and impact).

• "How have you used generative AI tools in your learning content design process? What were the benefits and challenges, and how did you ensure the final output was accurate and effective?" (Focus on AI proficiency, critical judgment, and ethical use).

• "Walk me through your process for designing a modular learning asset that can be reused across different formats and platforms." (Focus on modular design, reusability, and platform considerations).

• "How do you approach partnering with subject matter experts who may have limited time or varying levels of communication skills?" (Focus on stakeholder management, consultation, and effective questioning). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about ERM's work in sustainability consulting, and how do you see learning supporting that mission?" (Demonstrates research and alignment).

• "Describe your experience working in fast-moving, ambiguous, or transformation-led environments. How do you maintain focus and deliver results?" (Assesses adaptability and resilience).

• "How do you ensure your learning content is inclusive and accessible to a diverse global audience?" (Tests awareness of standards and commitment to inclusion). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each portfolio piece, clearly articulate the "why" (business need), the "what" (your solution/content), and the "so what" (the impact/results).

• Highlight Process: Be prepared to discuss your design methodology, how you collaborated with SMEs, and how you incorporated feedback.

• Showcase AI Application: If applicable, clearly explain your role in using AI and the human judgment applied.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify results whenever possible. If exact metrics aren't available, discuss qualitative impact and learner feedback.

• Be Concise: Respect the interviewer's time; aim for clarity and impact over exhaustive detail. Practice your presentation to fit within allocated time slots.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview preparation tips are tailored to the specific requirements of this Learning Content Designer role, emphasizing the blend of instructional design, operational execution, and AI utilization.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-adjacent learning content design position:

• Submit your resume and a brief cover letter through the ERM careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight experience in instructional design, content creation for complex topics, AI tool usage, and project coordination within global or transformation contexts.

• Portfolio Preparation: Curate 3-5 of your strongest projects that demonstrate your ability to design impactful learning content, handle technical subjects, and work with SMEs. Prepare to discuss the business problem, your solution, the process, and the results.

• Interview Practice: Rehearse answers to common behavioral and situational questions, focusing on examples that showcase your skills in synthesis, stakeholder management, AI application, and adaptability. Practice presenting your portfolio concisely and effectively.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with ERM's mission, services, and values. Understand their position in the sustainability consulting industry and how learning contributes to their operational success and client delivery.

⚠️ 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.