Remote: Learning & Development / Instructional Design Advisor
Overview
We’re seeking an experienced learning and development professional who is passionate about making a significant impact across diverse sectors, including the Federal Government, non-profit, and commercial industries. Ideal candidates will possess a Master’s degree and over 6 years of experience in crafting, developing, and deploying educational content within environments such as higher education, human resources, or corporate training. While consulting experience is a bonus, it's not mandatory.
We are an innovative, fast-paced boutique consulting firm with a highly collaborative and supportive human-centered culture. We value experienced, creative, and proactive problem solvers who thrive in a collaborative setting. As a new member of our team, you will dive into a variety of projects, working both as part of a team and independently on critical deliverables. We seek individuals who are not only strategic thinkers but also meticulous executors. Ideal candidates are robust communicators who are open to continuous feedback, iteration, and adaptation, ready to tackle challenges head-on and drive meaningful change.
About Us
Frontier Design partners with brave leaders to imagine and build what’s next across the U.S. Government, with leading AI labs, for Fortune 500 firms, and in partnership with non-profits, universities and foundations. We build:
Learning and development experiences that transform organizations
Secure and responsible AI models
Measurable impact for mission-driven organizations
Data tools that surface actionable insight
Our L/D practice inspires clients to unlock learner potential, unleash workforces, break through boundaries and transform skillsets. We specialize in :
Learning Strategy: We build human-centered learning ecosystems that grow talent and become a force of transformation
Curriculum Design: We design curriculum for real people doing real work so capabilities and confidence grow at every level
Leadership Development: Great leadership doesn’t just happen - we cultivate it by igniting self-awareness and deepening influence, equipping leaders to shape what’s next
Expert Facilitation: With expert facilitation, we create the conditions for collaboration, trust and transformative breakthroughs
Learning Assessment: We illuminate learning impact, uncover growth opportunities, and inform smart, strategic decisions that move people and mission forward
Future-Ready Learning Systems: We integrate learning management tools, AI, and digital platforms to ensure every employee has access to high-quality, meaningful development opportunities
Our interdisciplinary team is creative and analytical, combining our expertise as engineers, instructional designers, evaluators, strategists, innovators and storytellers. We believe in delivering radical value, delighting our clients with exceptional quality and wowing them with our cost-effectiveness. Our company culture sets us apart from our peers, unleashing colleagues to be their best selves – bold, empowered leaders with a lot of heart! See our values for more details.
We work globally and locally in the U.S., with a wide variety of world-class organizations across industries including federal and state governments, non-profit organizations, academia, foundations and the private sector. While headquartered in Alexandria, VA, our organizational construct is largely “virtual”, which offers us the opportunity to employ remarkable talent regardless of physical location. For team members in the Washington, DC area, we utilize shared office spaces for in-person meetings as needed.
Frontier Instructional Designer Roles, Responsibilities & Requirements
Required Education and Experience
Master's Degree in Instructional Design or Instructional Technology, Learning Design and Technology, Educational Technology, Learning Sciences, Curriculum and Instruction, Human Resource Development with a focus on Instructional Design, or equivalent or Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP), Certified Instructional Designer/Developer (CIDD), Certified Instructional Designer (C.I.D.).
6+ years of experience in designing, developing, and implementing instructional content focused on adult learning within settings such as higher education, human resources, or corporate environments.
Responsibilities
Learning and Development and Instructional Design
Design, develop, and implement instructional content focused on adult learning within settings such as higher education, human resources, or corporate environments.
Evaluate the effectiveness of learning interventions and making data-driven improvements based on feedback and performance data. This could include conducting needs assessments, learner evaluations, or program evaluations.
Design and develop a range of learning materials, including e-learning modules, instructor-led training materials, videos, simulations, and interactive activities.
Conduct thorough needs assessments to identify learning gaps and performance objectives across different sectors and organizations.
Employ various instructional design models and theories, such as ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation), SAM (Successive Approximation Model), and adult learning principles like Andragogy to develop curriculums and learning programs.
Develop and deliver digital learning solutions using e-learning authoring tools (e.g., Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, or similar) and learning management systems (LMS).
Manage instructional design projects from initiation to completion, including setting timelines, managing resources, and coordinating with stakeholders.
Utilize evaluation and assessment methods to measure the effectiveness and impact of learning interventions and make data-driven improvements.
Client Service and Delivery
Lead client engagements and a portfolio of projects, providing radical value, innovative solutions and exceeding client expectations in a timely manner.
Provide leadership and quality control and guide teams to work efficiently and effectively to maximize client delight, value, and overall impact.
Plan and monitor projects effectively through the successful management of project staffing hours and budgets, and managing and communicating workloads of team members, resulting in a positive working experience and high value for clients.
Empathetically conceptualize conversations so that clients feel heard and understood and the project aligns with client contexts and goals.
Hold expertise lightly, incorporating feedback and collaborating with colleagues, and adapting approaches and solutions as needed.
Required Skills and Mindsets
Learning and Development and Instructional Design
Ability to conduct thorough needs assessments to identify learning gaps and performance objectives across different sectors and organizations.
Proficiency in various instructional design models and theories, such as ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation), SAM (Successive Approximation Model), and adult learning principles like Andragogy.
Familiarity with e-learning authoring tools (e.g., Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, or similar) and learning management systems (LMS) to develop and deliver digital learning solutions.
Ability to manage instructional design projects from initiation to completion, including setting timelines, managing resources, and coordinating with stakeholders.
Knowledge of evaluation and assessment methods to measure the effectiveness and impact of learning interventions and make data-driven improvements.
Collaboration and Client Engagement
Collaborating with cross-functional teams, subject matter experts, and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and working effectively in interdisciplinary environments and adapting to different organizational cultures and client needs.
Willingness and ability to adapt instructional design strategies and approaches to meet the unique needs and constraints of diverse projects and organizations.
Sensitivity to cultural and diversity considerations when designing learning materials for diverse audiences across different sectors and organizations.
Creativity in developing engaging, effective, and cutting-edge training programs that meet the evolving needs of learners and organizations.
Other
Desire and commitment to continuous learning and professional development in the field of instructional design. This could include participation in professional associations, certifications, conferences, or ongoing training programs.
Must be based in the United States.
Type of Position
This role is being offered on a flexible basis, and we are open to engaging the right candidate in one of two ways:
W-2 Hourly Employee
Hired as an hourly employee of Frontier Design
Eligible for company benefits and performance-based bonuses
Expected to collaborate closely with the Frontier team, participate in internal processes, and contribute to long-term client and firm success
Position is remote, with occasional travel for client engagements
1099 Independent Contractor
Engaged as an independent professional, providing services to Frontier Design under a contract agreement
Responsible for determining how services are performed, consistent with agreed-upon project deliverables
Not eligible for company benefits or employee-based bonuses
Engagement is project-based; work is performed remotely, though some projects may require occasional client travel
Contractor must be legally authorized to work in the United States
Compensation
If W-2 hourly: Equivalent to $43–$65/hour (aligned with an annualized salary of $90,000–$135,000), with eligibility for performance-based bonuses and benefits.
If 1099 contractor: Approximately $55–$80/hour, depending on experience and project scope.
There is no set cap on hours and we expect to be extremely busy for the next 6 months; opportunities may expand as new projects and client engagements arise.