Learning Design Manager, Digital Enablement

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Learning Design Manager, Digital Enablement

Company: Cargill

Location: Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Learning & Development / Digital Enablement Operations

Date Posted: April 16, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Oversees the design, strategy, and implementation of impactful learning experiences specifically within the Digital Technology & Data (DT&D) organization.

• Manages and coaches a team of learning professionals to achieve organizational goals and foster an inclusive team culture.

• Collaborates with subject matter experts and stakeholders to translate complex technical and business concepts into scalable, engaging learning materials.

• Drives measurable learning outcomes and performance-focused employee skill development through strategic program design and execution.

• Contributes to key pillars of the DT&D Learning & Development strategy, focusing on early career development, onboarding, or skills and performance development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within the Digital Technology & Data (DT&D) organization, implying a strong focus on technology-related learning, digital skills, and data literacy. The "Digital Enablement" aspect suggests the learning initiatives are geared towards empowering employees with digital tools and competencies to enhance productivity and innovation within Cargill's operational framework.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Learning Program Strategy & Design: Direct the creation of complex, scalable, and engaging learning experiences aligned with DT&D organizational objectives, including defining learning objectives, selecting appropriate instructional strategies, and designing robust assessment and evaluation methods.

• Learning Experience Development: Ensure the effective implementation of all learning and development strategies and programs, leveraging multimedia content and digital tools to cultivate a learning-centric environment and provide growth opportunities for employees.

• Team Leadership & Coaching: Manage, coach, and develop learning design team members, setting clear performance expectations, fostering goal alignment, providing constructive feedback, and recognizing achievements to cultivate an inclusive and high-performing team culture.

• Stakeholder & Subject Matter Expert (SME) Collaboration: Partner effectively with DT&D SMEs, business leaders, and other stakeholders to gather critical content, review learning materials for accuracy and relevance, and ensure alignment with strategic learning objectives.

• Program Analysis & Continuous Improvement: Lead the monitoring and evaluation of learning solution effectiveness, actively seeking and incorporating best practices, industry trends, and user feedback to drive continuous enhancement of learning experiences and outcomes.

• Vendor & Resource Management: Oversee the development and delivery of core learning design frameworks and tools, ensuring effective vendor management for external learning solutions and resources.

• Onboarding & Process Integration: Contribute to and potentially lead the design and implementation of onboarding programs and process integration initiatives, ensuring new employees are effectively integrated into the DT&D organization and its operational workflows.

• Skills & Performance Development: Drive the design and execution of programs focused on enhancing specific technical, professional, and data-related skills crucial for employee performance and career growth within the DT&D function.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on strategic oversight and hands-on contribution to learning design. The role requires not only managing a team but also actively participating in the design and execution phases, especially concerning the "key pillars" mentioned. Given Cargill's industry, expect learning content to cover a broad spectrum from technical IT skills to business process knowledge relevant to food and agriculture supply chains.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Specific educational requirements are not detailed but typically for a managerial role in L&D, a Bachelor's degree in Education, Instructional Design, Human Resources, Business, or a related field is often preferred. A Master's degree can be advantageous.

Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years of relevant work experience, with a strong preference for 5+ years.

• Demonstrated experience in at least one of the following key learning and development pillars:

  • Early career development and programs
  • Onboarding & process integration
  • Skills & performance development

• Proven project management experience, with a track record of leading complex initiatives, preferably within a global organization.

Required Skills:

• Learning & Development Strategy: Ability to define, design, and implement comprehensive learning strategies aligned with organizational goals.

• Instructional Design Principles: Deep understanding and application of adult learning theories, ADDIE, SAM, design thinking, and curriculum development methodologies.

• Team Management & Coaching: Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop a team of learning professionals, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment.

• Project Management: Expertise in managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects from initiation to completion, ensuring timely delivery and successful outcomes.

• Stakeholder Management: Skill in building and maintaining strong relationships with SMEs, business leaders, and cross-functional teams to gather requirements and ensure buy-in.

• Digital Tools & Technologies: Proficiency in utilizing various digital learning tools, platforms (LMS, LXP), authoring software, and multimedia development tools.

• Performance Metrics & Evaluation: Ability to design and implement effective evaluation strategies to measure learning impact and ROI.

• Content Curation & Development: Experience in curating and developing engaging learning content in various formats (e.g., e-learning, instructor-led, blended).

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the Food & Agriculture or related industries.

• Familiarity with learning analytics and data-driven insights for program improvement.

• Experience with vendor management for external learning content or platforms.

• Knowledge of change management principles as they relate to learning adoption.

• Experience in global or large-scale corporate learning environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for "Experience leading Learning and Development Teams" signifies this is a management role, not just a senior individual contributor. The emphasis on "Digital Enablement" and "Digital Technology & Data" organization suggests a strong need for candidates with experience in technology-focused learning, digital transformation initiatives, and potentially data science or IT skill development programs.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Learning Design Case Studies: Showcase examples of learning programs or modules designed and developed, illustrating the full lifecycle from needs analysis to evaluation.

• Instructional Design Deliverables: Include samples of storyboards, e-learning modules, facilitator guides, participant workbooks, and assessment tools.

• Project Management Examples: Provide evidence of managing complex learning initiatives, including project plans, timelines, and successful outcomes.

• Team Leadership Examples: Demonstrate experience in managing and developing learning teams, potentially through team project examples or performance improvement initiatives.

• Metrics & Impact Demonstration: Clearly articulate the measurable impact of learning initiatives, using data to demonstrate ROI, improved performance, or skill uplift.

Process Documentation:

• Needs Analysis Documentation: Evidence of conducting thorough learning needs analyses, including stakeholder interviews, surveys, and data analysis to identify skill gaps.

• Design & Development Process: Outline the structured process used for designing and developing learning solutions, emphasizing adherence to instructional design models and quality assurance checks.

• Evaluation & Iteration Process: Showcase how learning solutions are evaluated for effectiveness, including feedback mechanisms, data collection, and how insights are used for iterative improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given this is a management role focused on digital enablement, a portfolio should emphasize not just the quality of individual learning assets but also the strategic thinking behind program design, the ability to manage complex projects, and the impact on employee performance and organizational goals within a technology context. Demonstrating experience with digital learning platforms and tools will be crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Learning Design Manager with 5-10 years of experience in Atlanta, GA, the estimated salary range would typically fall between $90,000 and $130,000 annually. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in major metropolitan areas, considering the level of responsibility, team management, and specialized skills required for digital enablement within a large corporation like Cargill.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Retirement Savings Plan: 401(k) with company match.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for ongoing training, certifications, and conferences in learning design, digital technologies, and leadership.

• Employee Assistance Program: Support services for personal and professional well-being.

• Life and Disability Insurance: Coverage to protect employees and their families.

• Potential for Performance Bonuses: Based on individual and company performance.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, there may be some flexibility in daily scheduling, but core business hours and team collaboration periods will require consistent presence. Occasional overtime may be necessary to meet project deadlines or manage critical initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on data from reputable compensation sources for Learning Design Managers in the Atlanta, GA area, factoring in the experience level (5-10 years) and the specific context of a large, global corporation like Cargill. Benefits are standard for corporate roles of this level.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Food & Agriculture. Cargill operates at the intersection of food, agriculture, financial, and industrial products and services. This context means learning initiatives often need to bridge technical expertise with deep domain knowledge of supply chains, sustainability, and global markets.

Company Size: Cargill is a very large, privately held company with approximately 155,000 employees globally. This scale implies extensive resources, complex organizational structures, and a need for standardized, scalable learning solutions.

Founded: Cargill was founded in 1865. This long history suggests a culture that values tradition, stability, and long-term vision, while also adapting to modern business needs, including digital transformation.

Team Structure:

• The Learning Design Manager reports into a broader Digital Technology & Data (DT&D) organization, likely within a dedicated Learning & Development or Talent Development function.

• The team managed will consist of instructional designers, learning specialists, and potentially content developers focused on digital enablement.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Learning Design: Emphasizes using data to identify needs, measure impact, and iteratively improve learning solutions.

• Agile/Iterative Development: Likely employs agile methodologies for learning design and development to ensure flexibility and responsiveness to evolving business and technology needs.

• User-Centric Design: Focuses on understanding the needs and experiences of the target audience (DT&D employees) to create relevant and engaging learning.

• Scalability & Standardization: Develops learning solutions that can be deployed across a large, global workforce, ensuring consistency and efficiency.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The vast size and established nature of Cargill mean that learning and development initiatives must be robust, scalable, and aligned with corporate-wide standards, even while tailored to specific departmental needs like DT&D. The "Digital Enablement" aspect suggests a strong focus on future-proofing the workforce through technology and data proficiency.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a mid-to-senior level management position within the Learning & Development function, specifically focused on digital enablement for the Technology and Data organization. It requires leadership experience, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage complex projects and teams.

Reporting Structure: The Learning Design Manager likely reports to a Director or Senior Manager of Learning & Development or Talent Management within the DT&D organization. They will directly manage a team of learning professionals.

Operations Impact: The Learning Design Manager plays a critical role in enabling the DT&D workforce to acquire and refine the skills necessary to drive Cargill's digital transformation, enhance operational efficiency, and leverage data for strategic decision-making. Their work directly impacts employee productivity, innovation, and the overall effectiveness of Cargill's technology and data capabilities.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Progression to Director-level roles within Learning & Development, Talent Management, or broader HR functions.

• Specialization: Deepening expertise in specific areas like digital learning technologies, data analytics for L&D, or executive coaching.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunities to move into related roles within DT&D, HR Business Partnering, or Change Management.

• Global Project Leadership: Leading large-scale, global learning initiatives that span multiple regions and business units.

• Subject Matter Expertise: Becoming a recognized expert in digital learning design and enablement strategies within the food and agriculture industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: Growth in this role is likely tied to successful execution of digital enablement strategies, demonstrable impact on employee skills and performance, and effective team leadership. The company's commitment to innovation suggests opportunities for those who can drive forward-thinking learning solutions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, implying a traditional office environment within a Cargill corporate facility in Atlanta. The environment will likely be professional and collaborative, designed to support team interaction and focused work.

Office Location(s): Atlanta, Georgia. This location offers access to a major metropolitan area with a strong talent pool and infrastructure. Specific office details would be provided by the hiring team.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Access to meeting rooms, project spaces, and informal areas for brainstorming and team discussions.

• Technology Infrastructure: Reliable IT support, access to necessary software, and potentially advanced AV equipment for presentations and virtual collaboration.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities to interact with direct reports, peers within DT&D, and other cross-functional colleagues.

• Professional Atmosphere: A corporate setting that values professionalism, efficiency, and a commitment to Cargill's mission and values.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is likely Monday to Friday, approximately 40 hours per week. While on-site presence is required, Cargill may offer some degree of flexibility in daily start/end times, provided core collaboration hours are met and project demands are fulfilled. The nature of managing projects may occasionally require working beyond standard hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: As an on-site role within a large corporation, expect a structured professional environment. The emphasis on digital enablement suggests that the workspace will be equipped with the necessary technology to support modern learning design and collaboration tools.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter will review applications and conduct a brief phone screen to assess basic qualifications and interest.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A more in-depth discussion with the Hiring Manager to evaluate experience, leadership style, and fit with the team's objectives. This may include behavioral questions.

• Team/Peer Interviews: Interviews with potential team members and key stakeholders within DT&D to assess collaboration skills, technical understanding, and cultural fit.

• Case Study/Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to prepare and present a case study demonstrating their approach to a complex learning design challenge, focusing on strategy, methodology, and impact measurement. This is a critical opportunity to showcase portfolio elements.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader in DT&D or HR for final approval.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 of your most relevant and impactful projects that align with the job description's focus on digital enablement, team management, and performance outcomes.

• Quantify Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the business problem, your role, the solution designed, and the measurable results (e.g., performance improvement, skill uplift, efficiency gains, ROI). Use data and metrics prominently.

• Showcase Process: Detail your methodology for needs analysis, design, development, and evaluation. Highlight your use of design thinking and instructional design principles.

• Highlight Leadership: If possible, include examples that demonstrate your ability to lead teams, manage stakeholders, and drive initiatives to successful completion.

• Prepare a Narrative: Be ready to walk through your portfolio items, explaining your thought process, challenges faced, and lessons learned. Tailor your presentation to Cargill's context and the DT&D organization.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate Scenarios: Be prepared for questions about how you would address specific learning challenges within a large, complex organization like Cargill, particularly related to technology adoption or skill gaps.

• Problem-Solving Approach: Articulate your systematic approach to diagnosing problems, developing solutions, and measuring success.

• Digital Learning Expertise: Be ready to discuss current trends in digital learning, new technologies, and how you stay current.

• Stakeholder Management: Practice how you would engage and influence diverse stakeholders, including technical SMEs and business leaders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The case study or presentation is a crucial element for this role. Candidates should prepare a compelling narrative that demonstrates not only their design skills but also their strategic thinking, project management capabilities, and ability to drive measurable results within a corporate technology environment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Learning Management Systems (LMS) / Learning Experience Platforms (LXP): Proficiency with enterprise-level platforms (e.g., Workday Learning, Cornerstone OnDemand, SAP SuccessFactors, Degreed, EdCast) for content delivery, tracking, and reporting.

• Authoring Tools: Expertise in industry-standard e-learning development tools such as Articulate Storyline/Rise, Adobe Captivate, or similar.

• Multimedia Content Creation: Skills with video editing software (e.g., Camtasia, Adobe Premiere Pro), graphic design tools (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, Canva), and potentially audio editing tools.

• Collaboration Tools: Experience with Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom, or similar for team communication and virtual collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• LMS/LXP Analytics: Ability to pull and interpret data from learning platforms to assess learner engagement, completion rates, and knowledge retention.

• Data Visualization Tools: Familiarity with tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Excel for creating dashboards and reports on learning effectiveness and ROI.

• Survey Tools: Experience with tools like SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, or Microsoft Forms for gathering learner feedback and conducting needs analyses.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Software: Tools like Asana, Monday.com, Jira, or Microsoft Project for managing learning design projects and team workflows.

• Content Management Systems (CMS): Potentially experience with systems used to manage digital content assets.

• Integration Concepts: Understanding of how learning technologies integrate with HRIS systems (e.g., Workday) or other enterprise applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "Digital Enablement" focus, hands-on experience with a variety of digital learning tools and platforms is essential. Demonstrating an understanding of how these tools can be leveraged to create scalable, engaging, and measurable learning experiences will be key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Purpose-Driven Innovation: A commitment to using technology and data to drive Cargill's mission of nourishing the world safely, responsibly, and sustainably.

• Integrity & Doing the Right Thing: Upholding ethical standards in all learning design and development, ensuring accuracy, fairness, and compliance.

• People First: Prioritizing the development and well-being of employees, fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and grow.

• Reaching Higher: Encouraging continuous improvement, professional development, and striving for excellence in all learning initiatives.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing data and analytics to inform learning strategy, measure impact, and drive evidence-based improvements.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Actively engaging with diverse teams across DT&D and other business units to ensure learning solutions are aligned with business needs and technical realities.

• Feedback-Centric Culture: Encouraging open communication, constructive feedback, and a willingness to iterate on designs based on input from SMEs, learners, and stakeholders.

• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting a culture where best practices in learning design and digital enablement are shared across the team and organization.

• Agile & Responsive: Adapting quickly to changing business priorities and technological advancements, demonstrating flexibility in project execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Digital Technology & Data" organization suggests a culture that values innovation, problem-solving, and leveraging technology to achieve business objectives. The Learning Design Manager will need to embody and promote these values within their team and through their work.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scalability in a Large Organization: Designing and implementing learning solutions that effectively serve a global workforce of 155,000+ employees while maintaining quality and relevance.

• Rapid Technological Evolution: Keeping pace with the constant changes in digital technologies and data science to ensure learning content remains current and valuable.

• Change Management for Digital Adoption: Effectively driving the adoption of new digital tools and processes among employees who may have varying levels of technical proficiency.

• Measuring Learning Impact & ROI: Demonstrating the tangible business value and return on investment of learning initiatives, especially in areas like digital enablement.

• Balancing Centralized Strategy with Local Needs: Ensuring learning programs are globally consistent while also being adaptable to specific regional or departmental requirements within DT&D.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Digital Learning Technologies: Opportunities to explore and implement emerging learning technologies, AI in L&D, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) for training.

• Data Analytics for L&D: Developing deeper skills in using learning analytics to drive strategic insights and forecast future learning needs.

• Leadership Development Programs: Access to Cargill's internal leadership development programs to hone management, strategic planning, and executive communication skills.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Support for attending key L&D and digital transformation conferences and obtaining relevant certifications.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to be mentored by senior leaders within Cargill or to mentor junior team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role operates at the forefront of digital transformation within a large corporation. The challenges are significant but also present substantial opportunities for professional growth and impact, particularly for those passionate about leveraging learning to drive technological advancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to developing a comprehensive digital enablement strategy for a large, global technology organization." (Focus on needs analysis, stakeholder engagement, curriculum design, and measurement.)

• "How would you ensure your learning programs are scalable and adaptable to diverse technical skill levels and global audiences within Cargill's DT&D organization?" (Highlight your understanding of blended learning, modular design, and localization.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of Cargill, how would you tailor learning experiences to align with our company's mission and values, particularly within the DT&D function?" (Research Cargill's mission, values, and recent initiatives; connect them to digital enablement.)

• "How do you foster an inclusive and collaborative team culture, especially when managing remote or hybrid team members?" (Discuss your leadership philosophy, communication strategies, and experience with diverse teams.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with a high-level overview of your role and the business context of your showcased projects. Clearly state the problem and your proposed solution.

• Highlight Your Role: Articulate your specific contributions, especially in team and project management.

• Showcase Process & Tools: Briefly explain your design methodology and the tools you utilized.

• Data-Driven Results: Dedicate significant time to presenting quantifiable results and the impact on business objectives. Use clear visuals (charts, graphs).

• Future-Oriented Thinking: Conclude by discussing lessons learned and how you would apply them to future initiatives, perhaps even hinting at how it relates to Cargill's context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, a strong understanding of instructional design principles applied to digital technologies, and the ability to measure and articulate business impact. Be ready to discuss how your experience directly addresses Cargill's needs in digital enablement for its DT&D workforce.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Cargill's careers portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly highlights experience in learning design, digital enablement, team management, project management, and any specific DT&D or tech-related learning initiatives. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 impactful case studies that showcase your best work relevant to this role, focusing on digital learning, team leadership, and measurable outcomes. Be ready to present these effectively.

• Research Cargill: Familiarize yourself with Cargill's mission, values, recent news, and the specific focus of their Digital Technology & Data organization to tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

• Practice Interview Questions: Prepare for behavioral, situational, and strategic questions, especially those related to managing teams, driving digital adoption, and measuring learning effectiveness. Practice articulating your portfolio examples clearly and concisely.

⚠️ 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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