Instructional Design Manager

The Instructional Design Manager is a working manager responsible for leading a small team of instructional designers while directly designing and delivering high-impact learning solutions that build capability across the KFC system. This role partners with cross-functional stakeholders to identify performance needs, create scalable training programs, and drive readiness strategies that support key business initiatives, including product launches, operational process improvements, technology implementations, and people programs.

Balancing people leadership, project leadership, and hands-on instructional design, this role ensures learning solutions are aligned to business priorities, effectively prepare restaurant teams for change, and contribute to improved operational performance and business results.

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Instructional Designers, creating an environment that encourages innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Manage team capacity, workload prioritization, and resource allocation across multiple concurrent projects and business priorities.
• Establish quality standards and best practices for instructional design methodologies, deliverables, and readiness programs.
• Conduct performance management activities, development planning, and ongoing coaching to support individual and team growth.
• Provide day-to-day leadership, remove barriers to execution, and ensure successful delivery of team objectives.

Instructional Design (45%)

• Personally design and develop high-impact learning solutions using adult learning principles, instructional design methodology, and performance-based learning strategies.
• Lead end-to-end readiness initiatives that support product launches, technology implementations, process changes, operational initiatives, and organizational capability-building efforts.
• Design and develop learning solutions across multiple modalities, including eLearning, facilitator-led training, virtual instructor-led training, microlearning, videos, simulations, job aids, and performance support resources.
• Serve as lead instructional designer on high-priority and complex enterprise initiatives.
• Ensure consistency, alignment, and integration across learning curricula, readiness programs, and role-based learning pathways.
• Continuously evaluate and enhance learning approaches to improve learner engagement, retention, and business impact.

Project & Stakeholder Management (20%)

• Partner closely with Operations, People & Culture, Marketing, Technology, Communications, and other cross-functional stakeholders to identify capability gaps and performance needs.
• Consult with stakeholders on learning strategies and readiness approaches that support successful adoption and execution of business initiatives.
• Develop project plans, implementation timelines, and risk mitigation strategies to ensure successful delivery.
• Manage vendor relationships and external learning partners as needed.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, within budget, and aligned with strategic business objectives.

Learning Effectiveness & Continuous Improvement (10%)

• Define success measures and evaluation strategies for learning programs and readiness initiatives.
• Utilize learner feedback, performance data, operational metrics, and business outcomes to assess effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Conduct post-launch evaluations and implement enhancements to increase impact and efficiency.
• Stay current on instructional design trends, learning technologies, and innovative learning practices to continuously evolve KFC's learning portfolio.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Instructional Design, Adult Learning, Organizational Development, Human Resources, Communications, Education, or a related field.
• Equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of degree requirements.

Experience

• At least 8 years of experience in instructional design, learning and development, training design, organizational capability, or a related field.
• Experience designing and developing enterprise-scale learning programs and readiness strategies.
• Experience leading complex projects and influencing cross-functional stakeholders.
• Prior people leadership, team lead, coaching, or mentoring experience preferred.
• Experience creating learning solutions across multiple delivery modalities and platforms.

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of adult learning principles and instructional design methodologies.
• Experience applying ADDIE, SAM, and other learning design frameworks.
• Experience with learning technologies, including Learning Management Systems (LMS), Learning Experience Platforms (LXP), Content Management Systems (CMS), and related tools.
• Strong project management, planning, and prioritization capabilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and learning content development tools.
• Strategic thinker with a strong bias for action and execution.
• Demonstrated ability to influence without authority across multiple…