Sr. Learning Experience Designer

NRECA•Arlington, VA

10d•$123,000 - $152,000•Hybrid

About The Position

NRECA is a unique national trade association providing advocacy, financial services, and business support services to more than 900 consumer‑owned electric cooperatives across the country. NRECA employees are united by our mission, inclusive culture, collaborative workplace, and commitment to service excellence. As a “best place to work” employer, we operate with integrity, transparency, and a spirit of innovation. NRECA’s Education, Training & Events team designs, delivers, and facilitates high-impact learning experiences and events—both online and in person--that empower cooperative leaders and staff to guide their organizations and communities into the future. The portfolio includes certification programs, a robust education curriculum of 100+ courses, leadership development programs, a trade show, thought leadership events and multi-day conferences. This position is located in our Arlington, VA Headquarters and would be eligible for NRECA’s hybrid schedule which allows flexibility to work from home up to 2 days per/week. Position Summary: Manages and advances NRECA’s nationally recognized director education portfolio, a market-leading governance development program that educates and engages 92% of electric cooperative boards.. This mission-driven role blends deep understanding of electric cooperative governance and board leadership practices with a strong passion for instructional design and adult learning innovation to position NRECA as the industry leader in governance education, helping electric cooperative board members fulfil the trust placed in them by the communities they serve . Designs, develops, and delivers high-impact learning experiences for NRECA’s 7,000-member board community—leveraging modern instructional design methodologies, emerging technologies, innovative learning strategies and diverse delivery channels to expand engagement and educational impact. Owns the full lifecycle of director education programming, from research and strategy through curriculum development, marketing, delivery, evaluation, and continuous improvement. —while ensuring alignment with strategic priorities, budget expectations, and evolving governance needs. Serves as a thought partner to cooperative leaders and internal stakeholders while contributing expertise and content leadership to flagship programs including Directors Conference, Winter School, Summer School, and other NRECA events.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in education, communications, business, accounting, or utility industry related degree.
Seven or more years of experience in designing, developing content for in-person and online programs and conferences.
Experience working with competency frameworks and using them to develop curriculum and programs.
Experience using Articulate 360 and other development tools including InDesign, PowerPoint, Adobe Premiere, among others.
Expertise with a Learning Management System (LMS) for delivery of programs and online collaboration tools.
Knowledge of governance education either as practitioner, board member or board liaison.
Knowledge of adult learning principles and instructional frameworks.
Knowledge of instructional design theory, models and best practices for both in-person and online education program development.
Knowledge of learning management systems (LMSs) as well as tools such as InDesign, PowerPoint, Adobe Premiere and Articulate 360.
Ability to lead functional teams without direct supervisory authority over team members.
Ability to manage competing deadlines and multiple education programs at various stages of development using effective organization skills and attention to detail.
Ability to produce innovative education programs that meet learners’ needs and enhances on-the-job performance while producing positive revenue results.
Ability to communicate, both verbally and in writing, with a diverse membership, employees and/or vendors in a clear and precise manner.
Ability to develop and deliver effective and engaging presentations.
Ability to use Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, Outlook, Power Point) and artificial intelligence tools and applications in the day-to-day essential duties of the job.
Ability to operate various office equipment such as personal computer, copier, printer, fax machine or other job-related equipment.
Ability to provide service excellence by building relationships, being resourceful.
Ability to report to the office when required.
Ability to travel.

Nice To Haves

AI tools experience a plus.
Employment experience in a member-based organization’s (association) educational department and experience managing externally contracted projects a plus.
Association for Talent Development (ATD), American Society for Association Executives (ASAE) certification or equivalent and/or professional certification or licensure a plus.

Responsibilities

Leverages an understanding of the cooperative business model and electric cooperative board governance practices to research, design and develop innovative courses that enhance NRECA’s board of directors education portfolio.
Leads the design of a cohesive, high-impact learning portfolio that blends in-person and digital experiences for cooperative boards of directors.
Applies deep instructional design expertise to translate complex governance challenges into practical, competency-based learning solutions with clear, measurable learning objectives.
Creates dynamic, learner-centered materials that bring content to life—including presentations, participant guides, job aids, video tutorials, and interactive simulations—tailored to engage and meet the needs of cooperative board members.
Incorporates innovative and technology-driven instructional strategies for both online and in-person delivery, understands varied learning delivery channels and best practices to improve the effectiveness of education course development, learning application and retention.
Recruits, develops, and supports a network of 20+ contracted instructors—setting clear expectations for instructional quality, providing coaching and feedback, and ensuring a consistent, high-caliber learning experience.
Designs and shapes meaningful learning experiences by defining curriculum purpose, understanding audience needs, and crafting compelling value propositions.
Implements tactics to ensure learners are fully prepared before a course and stay engaged beyond the program.
Conducts review cycles and facilitates subject-matter expert ideation sessions.
Identifies and partners with governance experts and experienced instructors to ensure content is relevant and impactful.
Evaluates program effectiveness through participant feedback and performance insights; applies findings to continuously refine curriculum, enhance learning outcomes, and support data-informed decision-making.
Consults the budget for assigned programs to meet assigned net revenue margins.
Builds relationships with NRECA departments, member cooperative employees and network partners to stay on top of trends and issues that impact electric cooperatives.
Collaborates with conference program managers to generate content ideas for director education events such as Director’s Conference and NRECA’s Summer and Winter Schools for Directors.