Lead Instructional Designer - Freelance

Lead Instructional Designer (LID)

Location: Remote (US time zones)

SweetRush has an exciting opportunity for a talented freelance professional to join our Custom Learning team! 

Who We Are

SweetRush is a consulting, design, and staffing firm specializing in HR-related services that help foster life-centered businesses and organizations. Our work includes designing unique learning experiences using agency-level graphics and leading-edge technology; creating high-performing cultures, leaders, and teams; and helping our clients grow their learning teams with qualified professionals.

Many of our clients are household names with large international operations, while others are small nonprofits whose work we value as essential to the world. We try to balance the work we do for profit with the work we do to spread good things in the world.

SweetRush is a leader in learning and development, making use of emerging technologies (AI, VR, and AR), games, storytelling, chatbots, interactive virtual and in-person experiences, and so on, all while grounding our work in vibrant and impactful human-centered design. The many awards we win annually reflect the care we put into our craft and our collaborations with clients. We’ve been grateful to have won awards with Hilton, Google, Bridgestone, Adidas, SHRM, and numerous others.

We are a completely virtual, tight-knit, talented community that spans the globe, a culture-forward team that values diversity, respect, and caring. Our folks tend to stick around, as do our clients. 

We like to think we stand apart from competitors for the uniqueness and innovation of everything we create—and for who we are. And we’re committed to hiring talent that’s as creative, innovative, and caring as everyone on our team. This is where you come in…

About the Role

Instructional design is the heart of our work at SweetRush, and the Lead Instructional Designer employs their extensive experience and special powers of client consultancy, learner connection, and creativity to make that magic happen. The Lead Instructional Designer works as part of a cross-functional, highly creative team to offer consultation skills to our partner clients, ensuring their single modality, standard learning program deliverables meet business and learner needs and are effective and engaging.

Using generative AI tools, you will be responsible for working closely with our internal SweetRush Custom Learning and Client Solutions teams to create and deliver training materials that support our client's business objectives and ongoing operations. The training solutions we provide are for an online learning platform, emphasizing video storyboarding and assessments (projects and quizzes). Therefore, not only must you have experience with web-based and computer-based training, but you must also bring a real passion for online training, Artificial Intelligence, prompt engineering, and interactive technologies. 

The LID is a client-facing resource and a project team member who works with PMs, IDs, Graphic and Media Designers, Technologists, Copy Editors, Subject Matter Experts, etc. They are responsible for the learning certification program content, from inception to launch.

The hourly rate is negotiable, ranging from $60 to $70 per hour. This will be a 6-month contract, up to 30 hours per week, with a preferred start date of mid to late June 2025.

Please note:  Our Instructional Design/LXD opportunities are freelance opportunities; extensive experience with freelance work and multiple clients is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Designs learning certification program outlines, content, assessment and knowledge check questions, performance support materials, and other materials as required.
• Actively collaborates with SweetRush Leads at the earliest phases of the project to design engaging and effective learning.
• Utilizes Artificial Intelligence and prompt engineering to help create content.
• Receives and incorporates feedback from Subject Matter Experts, PMs, and other Lead IDs.
• Listens deeply to the voice of the learner and assists Instructional Designers to design and develop learning experiences that are effective and engaging.
• As necessary, provide the "face of instructional design" for clients by interacting with clients at project meetings and explaining learner experience design methodology and theory as it relates to the project. 

Requirements

Our ideal candidate has the following skills, experience, and personality traits: 

• Experience in the training field, preferably in certification training programs, ed tech platforms,  artificial intelligence, and prompt engineering preferred 
• Expertise in driving training certification content, digital media, and AI projects from pre-production to launch
• AI Prompt Engineering experience using Gemini AI preferred
• Minimum 7 years of experience in an educational, corporate training, or professional services environment, with an emphasis on educational and multimedia technologies. 
• Minimum 7 years of experience implementing adult learning principles or equivalent 
• Ability to blend and implement multiple instructional modalities
• Can prioritize tasks for self and project IDs
• Good at providing constructive feedback
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and establish priorities
• Superb communicator - verbally and written, confident, self-motivated, and detail-oriented
• Capable of working effectively and efficiently in a fast-paced, constantly changing environment
• Creative, innovative, flexible, and passionate about learning design and integrating AI
• Strong knowledge of AI and Internet technologies, and solutions 
• Fluency with Google Suite and Gemini AI preferred
• Respectful, positive, approachable attitude, and a positive outlook on life (a “glass half full” type of person) 
• A true interest and passion for advancing technology, AI, learning, and development, clients and colleagues alike  

SweetRush is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social, or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. SweetRush will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. We encourage applicants of all ages.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Call-To-Action: Submit Your Resume!

Team chemistry is everything to us, so our ultimate goal is to find the right fit. If the above describes your interests and experience, and you believe this will be a dream job, please submit your resume. We are excited to hear from you!