Instructional Design Manager

Cambridge Investment Research, Inc.•Phoenix, AZ

18h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Instructional Design Manager is a working instructional designer who is responsible for leading the design, development, and continuous improvement of scalable learning solutions that support Cambridge’s business strategies, operational effectiveness, and associate and Financial Professional performance. This role is accountable for instructional design quality, delivery timelines, team performance, and measurable learning outcomes. Success is defined by consistent adherence to TED standards, proactive risk management, effective enablement of change initiatives, and development of instructional design capability across the team. Cambridge, founded in 1981, has nearly 45 years of experience supporting independent financial advisors with industry-leading tools, compliance, and transition services. Guided by its core values—integrity, commitment, flexibility, and kindness—the company puts financial advisors first in every decision. Cambridge is an internally controlled, growth-focused independent broker-dealer with $254 billion in assets under advisement and $1.97 billion in annual revenues, ranking among the largest and fastest-growing firms in the industry. With home offices in Fairfield, Iowa, and Phoenix, Arizona, and a nationwide reach, its 900 associates maintain a 4:1 advisor-to-associate ratio to ensure personalized service. The community of over 4,000 producing financial advisors includes diverse business models—RIA, corporate RIA, hybrid, fee-only, and brokerage—and offers a broad selection of investment solutions with no proprietary products. Cambridge is committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and empowering workplace.

Requirements

Experience leading or supporting technology enhancement rollouts, including LMS/LXP implementations, system upgrades, or platform integrations, in close partnership with IT and business teams.
Strong background working in regulated or complex environments such as financial services, compliance-driven training, healthcare, or higher education.
Familiarity with learning evaluation models and use data-driven approaches to measure training effectiveness.
Experience working in hybrid or distributed organizational environments and comfortable leading hybrid teams.
Instructional design and adult learning expertise.
Enterprise project and portfolio management.
Change enablement and performance consulting.
Stakeholder influence and executive communication.
Talent development and people leadership.
Continuous improvement and ownership mindset.
The Securities Industry Essential (SIE) and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Series 99 are required within 12 months of being hired.

Responsibilities

Establish and maintain instructional design standards, templates, and quality criteria aligned to adult learning theory and performance‑based design principles.
Ensure all learning solutions align with business objectives, defined learning outcomes, and evaluation measures.
Oversee design review and quality assurance processes to ensure consistency, accessibility, and learner effectiveness.
Manage multiple instructional design projects across divisions, balancing scope, timelines, and resource capacity.
Lead the design workstream for enterprise initiatives, including operational changes, technology enhancements, and compliance‑driven efforts.
Translate complex or ambiguous business needs into structured learning approaches and prioritized roadmaps.
Partner with business leaders, subject matter experts, HR, IT, and product teams to assess performance needs and recommend appropriate learning or performance solutions.
Influence outcomes without direct authority through data‑driven recommendations, clear communication, and strong consulting skills.
Communicate risks, dependencies, and progress proactively to stakeholders and leadership.
Lead development of blended and digital learning solutions using enterprise‑approved tools, including Articulate 360 (Storyline/Rise) and Camtasia.
Support technology enhancement rollouts, such as LMS/LXP upgrades, new learning tools, workflow systems, or enterprise platform implementations, with a focus on learner readiness and adoption.
Ensure effective use of learning technologies, standards (SCORM), version control, and accessibility requirements.
Coach, mentor, and develop instructional designers to strengthen design rigor, consulting skills, and accountability.
Establish clear expectations, prioritize work, and enable continuous improvement across the design team.
Build scalable tools, documentation, and processes that increase team efficiency and consistency.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and work-life balance.
Paid time off.
Paid holidays.
Floating holidays.
Medical coverage.
Dental coverage.
Vision coverage.
Short-term disability.
Long-term disability.
Company-paid life insurance.
Volunteer time off.
Wellness incentives.
Additional benefits that support you both personally and professionally.
Exceptional development opportunities.
A team that truly supports your success.