Training Specialist

The Training Specialist is a seasoned instructional design professional responsible for leading the end-to-end design and development of high-impact training programs for the Parenteral Drug Association (PDA). This role functions as an internal instructional design consultant, partnering closely with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), regulatory personnel, and PDA staff to transform complex technical content into engaging, learner-centered experiences. The ideal candidate is an independent, self-driven professional with deep expertise in instructional design methodology, e-learning development, adult learning theory, and project management.

This person must also be a certified instructor capable of facilitating training courses and traveling to course locations on a semi-regular basis.

• Lead the design and development of training materials from scratch on behalf of instructors and subject matter experts, including facilitator guides, participant workbooks, job aids, assessments, and multimedia content.
• Apply established instructional design models (e.g., ADDIE) and adult learning principles to develop effective, engaging, and measurable learning experiences.
• Develop realistic, scenario-based case studies that reflect real-world challenges in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry.
• Design and develop interactive, hands-on learning activities for both in-person and virtual training environments that reinforce key concepts and drive knowledge retention.
• Create web-based training (WBT) modules and e-learning courses using authoring tools (e.g., Articulate Storyline, Rise, Adobe Captivate, or equivalent).
• Assess learner needs and align course content with defined learning objectives and performance outcomes.
• Evaluate and revise existing training materials to ensure instructional effectiveness, relevance, and alignment with industry standards.

• Serve as an instructional design consultant to Subject Matter Experts, guiding them through the content development process and translating technical knowledge into learner-friendly instructional content.
• Facilitate structured SME interviews, content review sessions, and iterative feedback cycles to ensure accuracy and instructional quality.
• Partner with regulatory personnel and PDA staff to ensure training content reflects current industry regulations, guidance documents, and best practices.
• Coach and advise SMEs and instructors on best practices for instructional delivery and learning experience design.

• Manage multiple instructional design projects simultaneously, serving as the primary point of contact from needs analysis through final delivery.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, timelines, and milestones to ensure on-time, high-quality course delivery.
• Organize and maintain training course documents, version histories, and development assets.
• Proactively identify and mitigate project risks, escalating issues as appropriate to the Head of Education, TRI.
• Coordinate logistics and resources for course development projects across cross-functional teams.

• Serve as an instructor and facilitate training courses for PDA members and participants, including in-person sessions requiring semi-regular travel.
• Provide on-site support to PDA staff and trainers during training events, ensuring a productive and engaging learning environment.
• Adapt facilitation approach as needed to meet the needs of diverse adult learner audiences.
• Work outside normal business hours and on weekends prior to and during events, with advance notice.

• Bachelor’s degree in Instructional Design, Education, Learning & Development, or a related field required;
  Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of progressive experience in instructional design, with demonstrated expertise in developing training materials from concept to delivery.
• Proven experience developing web-based trainings (WBT) and e-learning modules using industry-standard authoring tools (e.g., Articulate Storyline, Rise, Adobe Captivate, or equivalent).
• Demonstrated experience developing case studies and scenario-based learning activities.
• Experience acting as an instructional design consultant to SMEs in a regulated or technical industry; pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical experience preferred.
• Proven experience as facilitator / instructor both online and in-person.
• Experience managing…