Job Description

Role Purpose

The Senior Instructional Designer is an advanced practitioner and consultative learning partner who diagnoses performance needs, architects innovative solutions, and leads complex end-to-end learning design across NVA. Working with Enterprise L&D program owners, business leaders and subject matter experts, this role determines when learning is, and is not, the right intervention. The role combines exceptional instructional design craft with performance consulting, measurement, digital innovation and hands-on development. It also strengthens design standards and supports the growth of other designers; program strategy and business accountability remain with program owners.

Performance Consulting & Discovery

• Lead discovery with stakeholders to clarify business goals, desired behaviors, audience contexts, barriers to performance, and evidence of success. Distinguish knowledge or skill gaps from process, system, motivation or environmental barriers.
• Challenge training-first requests constructively; recommend practical performance solutions, including workflow supports, communications, manager tools, job aids, practice, reinforcement and formal learning where appropriate.
• Create measurable performance objectives, design briefs, learner journeys and evaluation plans aligned to enterprise priorities and field realities.

Advanced Learning Architecture & Design

• Own instructional architecture and end-to-end design for complex blended programs across leadership development, onboarding, team effectiveness, operational enablement and cross-enterprise initiatives.
• Apply adult learning science, scenario-based and experiential design, accessibility and inclusive design, practice, feedback, spaced reinforcement and transfer-to-work principles.
• Build and/or direct development of high-quality instructor-led and virtual sessions, eLearning, simulations, facilitator guides, workbooks, playbooks, assessments and performance-support assets.
• Prototype, pilot, test and iterate learning solutions; ensure facilitator readiness, clear implementation requirements, content quality and maintainability.

Digital Learning, AI & Design Innovation

• Bring advanced proficiency in authoring and multimedia tools such as Articulate 360 (Rise and Storyline), presentation tools, video and virtual learning platforms; select tools based on learning and operational needs.
• Explore responsible use of generative AI and emerging learning technologies for needs analysis, content structuring, prototyping, accessibility, personalization and development efficiency, with appropriate human review, confidentiality and quality controls.
• Design for scalable distribution through enterprise learning platforms and in-the-flow-of-work channels, partnering with LMS and learning operations specialists on deployment.

Measurement, Partnerships & Design Leadership

• Define practical success measures with program owners; evaluate experience quality, learning, behavior adoption and relevant performance indicators; use evidence to improve solutions.
• Consult across Enterprise L&D and functions such as Operations, People, Clinical Learning, Legal and IT while respecting functional content ownership and decision rights.\
• Maintain design standards, reusable templates, accessibility and quality checks; mentor and review the work of instructional designers without requiring formal people management.\
• Manage complex, concurrent projects with strong stakeholder communication, prioritization, version control and delivery discipline.

Qualifications

• 5–8+ years of progressively complex instructional design, learning experience design and performance consulting experience, including independent ownership of enterprise-scale projects.
• Demonstrated portfolio of sophisticated blended, digital and performance-support solutions; advanced proficiency in Articulate 360 or equivalent tools and excellent writing and visual design skills.
• Ability to conduct credible performance diagnosis, consult confidently with leaders, translate ambiguity into an actionable design strategy, and evaluate outcomes.
• Strong understanding of learning science, accessibility and project management; experience coaching designers or setting design standards.
• Experience applying AI to learning workflows is strongly preferred; familiarity with data-informed learning design, healthcare/veterinary or distributed frontline environments is an asset.
• Relevant education or equivalent experience in instructional design, adult learning, education, organizational development or related disciplines.

Success Measures

• Performance needs are accurately diagnosed and solutions target the right barriers; complex learning projects move from discovery through implementation with clear measures.
• Learning solutions are accessible, practical, scalable and demonstrably useful in the flow of work; design quality and team capability improve over time.

Compensation: $84,000 – $105,000

AIP: 10%

FSLA Status: Exempt

National Veterinary Associates (NVA) is a leading North American pet health care company with nearly 1,300 locations spanning general practice veterinary hospitals, Ethos emergency and specialty hospitals, and pet resorts and equine veterinary care. With approximately 40,000 team members, we care for pets and support pet families in communities across the United States and Canada.  Our purpose is to give pets and the people who love them more quality years together, and our mission is to make care more personal, easy and accessible while advancing medicine and care across every stage of life. Across NVA, we support our teams with the resources, expertise and opportunities they need to deliver exceptional care and help shape the future of veterinary and pet care.

Purpose: Give pets and the people who love them more quality years together

Mission: Transform the pet family experience to be personal, easy and accessible, while advancing medicine and care across every stage of life. 

Values: Care Deeply, Do What’s Right, One Team, Own It, Shape What’s Next 

One NVA: Bringing General Practice & Ethos Together

NVA is built to make care personal, easy and accessible, while advancing medicine across every stage of a pet’s life. 

At National Veterinary Associates, we want to make sure your experience connecting with us is seamless and straightforward. Here’s what to expect when interacting with us: 

• We’ll always reach out via verified LinkedIn profiles or emails ending in @nva.com
• We may also contact you via text message from an identified NVA representative for recruiting-related communication
• All job opportunities and applications are hosted on our official careers site: careers.nva.com
• There is no cost or confidential information required to apply or be considered for a position

If you have any doubts about a communication, feel free to visit our careers page to verify authenticity or email us at hiringhub@nva.com. Thank you for exploring opportunities at NVA!

NVA offers a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, a 401k with employer match, and paid time off (including sick time) for all eligible employees.  The team can provide more information about compensation and benefits for your specific location during the process.  For positions based in Colorado, NVA provides eligible employees with paid sick and safe leave and public health emergency leave in accordance with the requirements of Colorado’s Healthy Families and Workplaces Act.

NVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.