Lead Instructional Designer

ACAMS • Washington, DC

4d • Remote

About The Position

ACAMS is the leading international membership organization dedicated to providing opportunities for anti-financial crime education, best practices, and peer-to-peer networking to AFC professionals globally. With over 120,000 members across 200+ countries and territories, ACAMS is committed to the mission of combatting financial crime through the provision of anti-money laundering/counterterrorism-financing, anti-fraud and sanctions knowledge-sharing, thought leadership, risk-mitigation services, and platforms for public-private dialogue. The association’s CAMS certification is the gold-standard qualification for AFC professionals. It also offers CGSS certification for sanctions professionals, CAFS certification for anti-fraud professionals, and CCAS certification for AFC practitioners in the crypto space. ACAMS’ 65+ Chapters globally further amplify the association’s mission through training and networking initiatives. Visit acams.org for more information.
Opportunity at a Glance
ACAMS Lead Instructional Designer, reporting to the Sr. Manager, Instructional Design, is a lead level role responsible for ensuring the highest standards of instructional quality and content accuracy across ACAMS’s certification and certificate course products. With advanced expertise in instructional design and a deep understanding of the subject matter domain, the Lead Instructional Designer collaborates closely with Product Managers, Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), and Media Producers to ensure content meets audience needs and supports ACAMS’s business goals. This role is ideal for an experienced Instructional Designer with a strong grasp of subject matter content, exceptional attention to detail, and a commitment to producing impactful, learner-centered materials tailored for professionals preparing for certifications and credentials.
In addition to their quality assurance responsibilities, the Lead Instructional Designer performs in-depth quality assurance reviews of instructional materials developed by other Instructional Designers, ensuring alignment with certification standards, learning objectives, and learner needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Instructional Design, Education, Learning & Development, or a related field; advanced degree preferred
• 5+ years of experience in instructional design, preferably within the professional training, EdTech, or financial services sector; experience with professional certification is a strong plus
• Deep understanding of subject matter domains and certification standards, with the ability to transform complex content into clear, engaging, and effective learning materials
• Advanced writing and editing skills, with the ability to produce and review instructional content optimized for learner success
• Expertise in collaborating with SMEs, managing relationships, and ensuring content accuracy and alignment with product goals
• Knowledge of content re-use strategies and the ability to work with knowledge management tools to develop scalable, reusable instructional materials
• Proven track record in performing quality assurance reviews of instructional materials and mentoring junior instructional designers
• Excellent communication skills to provide feedback and guidance to team members
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams, with a focus on improving the overall quality and impact of learning products
• Detail-oriented, proactive, and committed to creating high-quality learner experiences
• Must be a fluent English speaker; additional modern languages are a plus
• Ability to work flexible (off) hours and occasionally align with other ACAMS regions’ time zones
• Ability to travel if required

Responsibilities

• Content Development: Design complex instructional materials, assessments, and interactive elements that align with learning objectives and industry standards, using innovative strategies to enhance learner engagement
• Build Relationships with SMEs: Work closely with SMEs to ensure content accuracy and relevance, translating complex subject matter into effective, learner-centered materials
• Content Quality Assurance and Leadership: Review instructional materials to ensure high standards of quality, accuracy, and alignment with goals. Provide feedback to improve consistency, mentor team members, and act as a subject matter resource
• Team Collaboration: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align efforts with product goals and learner needs
• Innovation in Instructional Design: Drive the adoption of innovative instructional strategies to enhance learning experiences and maintain cutting-edge content
• Knowledge Management and Reusability: Develop reusable, modular content by working with knowledge management resources to ensure consistency and scalability across courses
• Quality and Consistency Standards: Establish quality assurance processes and guidelines to maintain content consistency, accessibility, and inclusivity

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level