Instructional Designer -Curriculum & Training Team

• Full-time
• Job Duration:
  Regular

Since 1940, Dairy Queen® has been one of the world’s best known and loved brands. Based in Minneapolis, MN, International Dairy Queen Inc., (IDQ), is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation. As a leading franchisor, there are more than 7,000 independently owned and operated restaurants in the U.S., Canada and more than 20 countries around the world. IDQ is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

(Berkshire) which is led by Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire.

Here at IDQ, we create extraordinary Fan experiences every day and we do this through our commitment to hiring and retaining only the best in class talent. We firmly believe that our employees are the catalyst to the success of the company where their initiative, strategic thinking, and entrepreneurial spirit are recognized and rewarded. We're looking for motivated, passionate and dedicated individuals with an inherent need and ambition to go after bigger challenges.

We have an exciting opportunity for an Instructional Designer to be located out of our corporate office in Bloomington, MN.The Instructional Design Specialist enhances restaurant performance and guest experience by designing innovative, outcome‑driven learning solutions grounded in backward design that equip Operators, crew members, and field teams with the skills they need to succeed. This role blends creativity, strategy, and execution—delivering engaging learning experiences across multiple modalities while partnering cross‑functionally to support Dairy Queen’s operational priorities, brand standards, and future vision.

This individual thinker‑doer will shape the next generation of DQ learning by building modern, scalable, digital‑first curriculum and maintaining a continuous improvement mindset rooted in user feedback, analytics, and operational insights.

Primary Accountabilities Includes:

• Conduct needs assessments to identify capability gaps and translate findings into learning strategies that support organizational priorities and business outcomes.
• Applies backward design principles to identify desired operational and learner outcomes before determining content, activities, and assessments.
• Recommend the right learning delivery methods (e.g., classroom, virtual, on‑demand, microlearning, performance support, blended learning).
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners (Operations, Marketing, R&D, HR, Franchise Support) to align learning experiences with product launches, operational changes, and strategic initiatives.
• Drive learning beyond the classroom by incorporating spaced learning, reinforcement, and performance support tools.

Design & Development of Learning Experiences

• Design and develop high‑quality learning programs and materials, including eLearning, videos, facilitator guides, participant guides, job aids, simulations, interactive modules, performance tools, and assessments.
• Begin the design process by defining evidence of learning and selecting assessments that measure the desired performance outcomes, ensuring all content and activities align to those outcomes.
• Create inclusive, learner‑centered content that reflects diverse learning needs and styles.
• Leverage data, research, and user insights to design curriculum that drives measurable behavior change and operational performance.
• Ensure all content meets brand, quality, accessibility, and operational standards.
• Support the creation and evolution of learning paths and role‑based curricula for in‑restaurant positions.

Implementation, Continuous Improvement & Learning Operations

• Partner with the LMS team to upload, structure, test, and maintain digital content; ensure accuracy of metadata, course settings, and learning paths.
• Gather and analyze feedback from field teams, operators, and learners to continuously improve content and delivery approaches.
• Monitor key learning metrics and recommend refinements based on data and operational insights.
• Use a backward design mindset during revisions to confirm that learning outcomes, assessments, and activities remain tightly aligned and reflect updated operational needs or…