OVERVIEW:

Reporting directly to the Director of Learning Experience Design, the Senior Instructional Designer serves as a senior individual contributor responsible for shaping and scaling Year Up United’s Learning Experience Design practice and leading the design of high-impact, accessible, and inclusive learning experiences for 18–29-year-olds. This role involves engaging with students to foster a positive educational environment, building trust among students, faculty, and site leaders.

This role is accountable for developing frameworks, standards, and design approaches that enable consistent, high-quality learning experiences across Year Up United’s training catalog. The Senior Instructional Designer leads complex design efforts end-to-end, partners closely with cross-functional stakeholders, and ensures learning experiences are data-informed, equitable, and ready to scale. They continuously evaluate learning effectiveness and drive iteration to align with evolving learner needs, organizational goals, and labor market demands.

Salary Range: $92,200 - 105,400

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Inform and guide the transformation of Year Up United’s learning experiences by actively aligning them with our andragogical approach, establishing shared design frameworks and standards, and ensuring robust and impactful learning outcomes
• Design and own the needs analysis process, including defining diagnostic approaches and success criteria, working with the Learning Excellence team and other key stakeholders to identify what instructional design, content curation, and/or resource organizing activities are needed to drive design and development of training or assessment solutions
• Partner with key stakeholders, when designing training and assessment solutions, to make and communicate evidence-based recommendations and navigate trade-off decisions (e.g., buy vs. build, speed vs. depth, consistency vs. customization)
• Build out learning experience designs / blueprints that can be consistently applied and scaled, based on needs analysis, design and delivery standards, learnings, and industry-leading research
• Manage the planning, execution, and design and development of learning experiences end-to-end, including curriculum, instructional materials, assessments, and multimedia resources, that are engaging, interactive, and effective, and align to organizational goals
• Collaborate with subject matter experts, trainers, and other stakeholders to understand learning goals and develop learning objectives, guide content development, and execute user acceptance testing, ensuring alignment to learning strategy, learning goals, and user needs
• Use adult learning principles and best practices in instructional design to create learner-centered experiences that are adaptable for hybrid and virtual learning environments, using blended and asynchronous instructional methodologies at scale
• Ensure that learning experiences are accessible and inclusive by design, by considering the profiles of Year Up United participants, nature of systems that drive the Opportunity Divide, and historical barriers within traditional educational systems impacting Opportunity Talent
• Evaluate the effectiveness of learning experiences and use learning analytics, assessment data, and structured feedback to continuously improve them
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends and emerging technologies (including AI-enabled tools) in learning experience design and incorporate them into the team’s work
• Mentor junior instructional designer staff and organizational content contributors by modeling best practices and providing guidance
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines
• Communicate with senior leadership and other stakeholders about the team’s work, risks, and impact of learning experiences on organizational goals
• Participate in special projects and initiatives that support the effectiveness, growth and impact of Year Up United
• Live the values of Year Up United and integrate them into one’s work daily
• Serve as program participant coach/mentor, and participate in Learning Community activities

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 5–7+ years’ experience designing and delivering complex, multi-modal learning experiences for business, technology, and/or professional skills in a secondary, postsecondary, or other equivalent environment; experience with 18–29-year-old Opportunity Talent and competency-based education a plus
• 4+ years’ experience in designing and developing instructional content and leading or guiding instructional designers, user experience researchers, and/or instructional staff to drive research and design efforts for content design and development; virtual instructor-led training (VILT) and/or on-demand training, preferred
• Demonstrated experience working with modern learning management systems (LMS) and managing instructional content and learning tools as part of an integrated learning ecosystem; experience with Brightspace a plus
• Proficient in e-learning authoring tools such as Brightspace Creator+ (preferred), Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, or similar software
• Demonstrated experience applying artificial intelligence to accelerate content development, inform assessment and analytics, and improve instructional effectiveness, with the ability to apply AI responsibly and equitably
• Demonstrated ability to design, introduce, and evolve scalable design processes, workflows, or governance models that enable quality and efficiency across teams
• Strong knowledge in industry-leading learning experience design, instructional design, e-learning development, assessment design, and universal (accessible, usable, and inclusive) design methodologies and processes; experience applying these consistently at scale; knowledge of human-centered design a plus
• Strong knowledge in adult learning theory and historical barriers within traditional educational systems that impact opportunity talent, and the ability to translate this knowledge into design standards and decisions
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with extensive demonstrated experience in building stakeholder relationships, consulting with leaders, leading and collaborating across diverse cross-functional projects
• Demonstrated experience in complex project management, effective communication with stakeholders and clients across the project lifecycle, and supporting the adoption of new practices, tools, or workflows within an organization
• Accepts change as an important part of Year Up United’s culture, and inquires how their role can support the change
• Ability to work independently and as a team player, to take initiative, and manage multiple tasks and projects at a time
• Ability to plan, introduce, and lead scalable operational processes that enable high-quality business outcomes and growth
• Willingness to travel as necessary to support project execution (up to 10% typical)
• A passion for working with young adults, an unshakable belief in their potential, and a strong commitment to the mission of Year Up United
• Mastery of the MS office suite, with exceptional PowerPoint content development and presentation skills
• Understanding of the Opportunity Divide and its drivers
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion
  

#LI-Hybrid

WORKING AT YEAR UP UNITED:

Starting January 5, 2026, employees are expected to work on-site at least two days per week (Monday through Thursday dependent on job requirements). To be eligible for employment, candidates must live and work in a state (or an approved proximate state*) where Year Up United operates. For a list of eligible locations, please visit: https://www.yearup.org/job-training/locations

*Approved proximate states where Year Up United operates are: Connecticut, Indiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, South Carolina and Virginia.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

• Year Up United has established salary ranges for each of our sites, which allows us to pay employees competitively, equitably and consistently in different geographic markets. For roles in which the location is listed as flexible, the range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Salary offers take into account a candidate’s skills, experience, and location. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process.

• Benefits: Comprehensive healthcare options and dental coverage; 401(k) match for eligible participants.

• Vacation: Earn three weeks paid vacation in first year of employment; four weeks after initial year.

• Professional Development: Funds available to support staff in achieving career objectives ($2,500 per year)

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:

Year Up United is a national 501(c)3 workforce development organization committed to ensuring equitable access to economic opportunity, education, and justice for all young adults—no matter their background, income, or zip code. Employers face a growing need for talent while millions of talented young adults lack access to meaningful careers. These inequities only further perpetuate the opportunity gap that exists in our country—a gap that Year Up United is determined and positioned to close through three interconnected strategies: providing targeted skills training and connections to livable-wage employment for students and alumni; empowering others to serve and support young adults, and changing systems that perpetuate the opportunity gap. Year Up United’s intensive training program utilizes a high expectations, high support model where students learn in-demand technical and professional skills and apply them during a corporate internship. Year Up United has directly served more than 40,000 young adults since its founding in 2000. Year Up United's nationwide presence includes Arizona, Austin, Bay Area, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Greater Atlanta, Greater Boston, Greater Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, the National Capital Region, New York City/Jersey City, Pittsburgh, Puget Sound, Rhode Island, South Florida, Tampa Bay, and Wilmington.

Voted one of the Best Nonprofits to Work For in the country by The NonProfit Times, Year Up United is a rewarding and impactful place to work. Our staff is passionate, supportive, mission-driven, and committed to positive change and continuous learning. We set high standards for both ourselves and our students and live by a set of core values that reflect an unshakable belief in the talent and potential of our young people. The work we do is life-changing, and we know that our team is the greatest asset in achieving our mission.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY:

Year Up United embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. All aspects of employment, including the decision to hire, promote, discharge, or discipline, are based on meritocracy. We do not permit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local laws. Learn more about our commitment to diversity: http://www.yearup.org/about-us/careers/commitment-to-diversity/

Year Up United is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Your recruiter can provide details regarding the expected work environment and any physical requirements. Please let our hiring team know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process. Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

TO APPLY:

Please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume through our website.

Note that applications without a cover letter will not be considered. We respectfully request no phone calls.