Manager, Learning Products and Platforms

Institute of Food Technologists • Chicago, IL

5d • $95,000 - $100,000

About The Position

Summary/Objective The Manager, Learning Products and Platforms is responsible for leading the development, delivery, and continuous improvement of scalable learning products that support member needs and generate revenue. This role manages the full lifecycle of learning experiencesfrom planning and design through implementation, evaluation, and optimizationacross in-person, virtual, and digital formats. The Manager partners closely with subject matter experts, internal teams, and external vendors to ensure learning products are engaging, accessible, and operationally sound. With a strong focus on execution and continuous improvement, this role oversees learning technology workflows, platform performance, and data-informed enhancements to ensure consistent, high-quality learning experiences and effective day-to-day delivery across the organization. Essential Responsibilities Take ownership for the successful development, delivery, and ongoing optimization of learning products, ensuring clear accountability, timelines, and outcomes. Manage the full lifecycle of learning experiencesfrom planning and design through launch, delivery, evaluation, and continuous improvementacross in person, virtual, and digital formats. Oversee the design and delivery of learning experiences that support member needs, align with organizational priorities, and contribute to revenue generation. Establish, maintain, and enforce governance practices, standards, and quality guidelines for learning content, platforms, and delivery operations. Ensure learning materials and experiences consistently meet organizational standards for accessibility, usability, technical performance, and learner experience quality. Oversee learning content production, publishing, delivery workflows, and operational processes, ensuring reliable execution and a clear point of ownership across programs. Monitor learner engagement, program performance, and platform utilization, proactively identifying issues, reporting status and risks, and implementing data informed improvements. Partner cross functionally with internal teams, subject matter experts, and vendors to coordinate work, resolve issues, and ensure learning initiatives are delivered effectively. Support effective day to day delivery of learning experiences by setting expectations, coordinating resources, and ensuring teams and partners are aligned and informed. Digital Learning Content & Experience Delivery Lead development, deployment, and continuous improvement of digital learning experiences, including online courses, microlearning, webinars, and virtual learning programs. Manage the lifecycle of learning content from design through launch, delivery, and optimization. Collaborate with subject matter experts to design engaging, learner-centered experiences. Oversee and support content production processes using learning authoring tools, media platforms, and virtual delivery technologies. Oversee content publishing, delivery workflows, and quality standards across learning programs. Ensure learning materials meet accessibility, usability, and technical standards. Monitor learner engagement and use data to improve content effectiveness. Learning Technology Operations & Workflow Optimization Design, implement, and optimize workflows supporting course delivery, registration, reporting, and learner engagement. Improve operational processes to increase efficiency and reduce learner friction. Oversee end to end digital learning delivery across online, classroom, and virtual learning environments. Establish and maintain operational standards for learning technology and content delivery. Data Analytics & Reporting Develop analytics frameworks to monitor learner behavior, program performance, and platform utilization. Provide insights to leadership on program and product health, engagement, and performance trends. Use data to inform continuous improvement of learning experiences and platform effectiveness. Vendor Management & System Integrations Serve as primary liaison with learning technology vendors and external partners. Manage vendor relationships, contracts, and system enhancements. Coordinate integrations with association management systems and other enterprise platforms. Oversee and coordinate system troubleshooting and Tier 2 platform support as needed. Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with IT, marketing, education teams, and stakeholders to ensure seamless learning delivery. Provide consultation on learning technology capabilities and solutions. Support organizational initiatives that enhance digital learning effectiveness and member value. Ongoing Responsibilities Conduct environmental scans to keep educational technology and digital platforms relevant and up to date. Lead the adoption of new technologies and provide training and documentation for staff and stakeholders as needed. Create or uphold organization and team policies. Manage budgets and develop financially viable business plans for learning experiences and digital resources, in alignment with organizational financial standards.

Requirements

• Project and Product Management: Demonstrated ability to manage projects and learning products from conception through completion, with clear ownership of timelines, deliverables, and outcomes.
• Learning Experience Design: Experience designing and delivering modern, effective learning experiences across digital and in person formats, with a focus on learner needs and measurable impact.
• Design and Delivery Execution: Experience supporting the development or delivery of in person and digital learning programs, including courses, webinars, and virtual learning experiences.
• Written and Verbal Communication: Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with the ability to communicate clearly with stakeholders about project status, expectations, and outcomes.
• Learning Technology Proficiency: Proficiency with instructional design tools, learning technologies, and related systems, with the ability to apply technology effectively to support learning delivery and operations.
• Relationship Building and Collaboration: Ability to build productive working relationships and collaborate effectively with internal teams, volunteers, colleagues, and external vendors.
• Conflict Resolution: Demonstrated skill in addressing challenges and resolving conflicts with professionalism, diplomacy, and a focus on outcomes.
• Independent Work and Execution Leadership: Ability to work independently while coordinating and leading work across contributors, partners, or teams.
• Results Orientation: Proven commitment to achieving goals, driving results, and continuously improving programs or processes.
• Attention to Detail and Quality: High level of accuracy and attention to detail, with a consistent focus on quality and follow through.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelors degree in education, learning technologies, technology, instructional design, or equivalent
• Demonstrated skills in establishing effective relationships with volunteer leaders
• Experience with LMS architecture, platform optimization, and support
• Experience supporting large-scale digital learning programs or association education environments.
• Experience with SCORM standards and compliance
• Experience integrating LMS platforms with other enterprise systems
• Experience improving operational workflows and reporting processes
• Experience supporting continuing education or credential programs

Responsibilities

• Take ownership for the successful development, delivery, and ongoing optimization of learning products, ensuring clear accountability, timelines, and outcomes.
• Manage the full lifecycle of learning experiencesfrom planning and design through launch, delivery, evaluation, and continuous improvementacross in person, virtual, and digital formats.
• Oversee the design and delivery of learning experiences that support member needs, align with organizational priorities, and contribute to revenue generation.
• Establish, maintain, and enforce governance practices, standards, and quality guidelines for learning content, platforms, and delivery operations.
• Ensure learning materials and experiences consistently meet organizational standards for accessibility, usability, technical performance, and learner experience quality.
• Oversee learning content production, publishing, delivery workflows, and operational processes, ensuring reliable execution and a clear point of ownership across programs.
• Monitor learner engagement, program performance, and platform utilization, proactively identifying issues, reporting status and risks, and implementing data informed improvements.
• Partner cross functionally with internal teams, subject matter experts, and vendors to coordinate work, resolve issues, and ensure learning initiatives are delivered effectively.
• Support effective day to day delivery of learning experiences by setting expectations, coordinating resources, and ensuring teams and partners are aligned and informed.
• Lead development, deployment, and continuous improvement of digital learning experiences, including online courses, microlearning, webinars, and virtual learning programs.
• Manage the lifecycle of learning content from design through launch, delivery, and optimization.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts to design engaging, learner-centered experiences.
• Oversee and support content production processes using learning authoring tools, media platforms, and virtual delivery technologies.
• Oversee content publishing, delivery workflows, and quality standards across learning programs.
• Ensure learning materials meet accessibility, usability, and technical standards.
• Monitor learner engagement and use data to improve content effectiveness.
• Design, implement, and optimize workflows supporting course delivery, registration, reporting, and learner engagement.
• Improve operational processes to increase efficiency and reduce learner friction.
• Oversee end to end digital learning delivery across online, classroom, and virtual learning environments.
• Establish and maintain operational standards for learning technology and content delivery.
• Develop analytics frameworks to monitor learner behavior, program performance, and platform utilization.
• Provide insights to leadership on program and product health, engagement, and performance trends.
• Use data to inform continuous improvement of learning experiences and platform effectiveness.
• Serve as primary liaison with learning technology vendors and external partners.
• Manage vendor relationships, contracts, and system enhancements.
• Coordinate integrations with association management systems and other enterprise platforms.
• Oversee and coordinate system troubleshooting and Tier 2 platform support as needed.
• Partner with IT, marketing, education teams, and stakeholders to ensure seamless learning delivery.
• Provide consultation on learning technology capabilities and solutions.
• Support organizational initiatives that enhance digital learning effectiveness and member value.
• Conduct environmental scans to keep educational technology and digital platforms relevant and up to date.
• Lead the adoption of new technologies and provide training and documentation for staff and stakeholders as needed.
• Create or uphold organization and team policies.
• Manage budgets and develop financially viable business plans for learning experiences and digital resources, in alignment with organizational financial standards.

Benefits

• IFT offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to reward and energize our employees, so they can live a balanced life and maintain their well-being.
• We offer medical, dental, and vision plans at affordable rates.
• Life and Long Term Disability insurance is completely free to all employees.
• Most benefits begin the first of the month following employees start date.
• To learn more about IFT and our excellent benefits, please visit our careers page here: https://www.ift.org/about-ift/work-at-ift

What This Job Offers

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