Instructional Designer - Curriculum & Training Team

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for an Instructional Designer to be located out of our corporate office in Bloomington, MN. The Instructional Design Specialist enhances restaurant performance and guest experience by designing innovative, outcome‑driven learning solutions grounded in backward design that equip Operators, crew members, and field teams with the skills they need to succeed. This role blends creativity, strategy, and execution—delivering engaging learning experiences across multiple modalities while partnering cross‑functionally to support Dairy Queen’s operational priorities, brand standards, and future vision.

This individual thinker‑doer will shape the next generation of DQ learning by building modern, scalable, digital‑first curriculum and maintaining a continuous improvement mindset rooted in user feedback, analytics, and operational insights.

Primary Accountabilities Includes:

Learning Strategy & Planning

1. Conduct needs assessments to identify capability gaps and translate findings into learning strategies that support organizational priorities and business outcomes.
2. Applies backward design principles to identify desired operational and learner outcomes before determining content, activities, and assessments.
3. Recommend the right learning delivery methods (e.g., classroom, virtual, on‑demand, microlearning, performance support, blended learning).
4. Collaborate with cross-functional partners (Operations, Marketing, R&D, HR, Franchise Support) to align learning experiences with product launches, operational changes, and strategic initiatives.
5. Drive learning beyond the classroom by incorporating spaced learning, reinforcement, and performance support tools.

Design & Development of Learning Experiences

1. Design and develop high‑quality learning programs and materials, including eLearning, videos, facilitator guides, participant guides, job aids, simulations, interactive modules, performance tools, and assessments.
2. Apply modern instructional design principles.
3. Begin the design process by defining evidence of learning and selecting assessments that measure the desired performance outcomes, ensuring all content and activities align to those outcomes.
4. Create inclusive, learner‑centered content that reflects diverse learning needs and styles.
5. Leverage data, research, and user insights to design curriculum that drives measurable behavior change and operational performance.
6. Ensure all content meets brand, quality, accessibility, and operational standards.
7. Support the creation and evolution of learning paths and role‑based curricula for in‑restaurant positions.

Implementation, Continuous Improvement & Learning Operations

1. Partner with the LMS team to upload, structure, test, and maintain digital content; ensure accuracy of metadata, course settings, and learning paths.
2. Gather and analyze feedback from field teams, operators, and learners to continuously improve content and delivery approaches.
3. Monitor key learning metrics and recommend refinements based on data and operational insights.
4. Use a backward design mindset during revisions to confirm that learning outcomes, assessments, and activities remain tightly aligned and reflect updated operational needs or performance goals.
5. Collaborate with project teams to ensure learning deliverables are connected to operational goals and field realities.
6. Maintain version control, governance, and documentation for all training materials.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

1. Partner with business leaders and subject matter experts to understand needs, design solutions, and support successful implementation.
2. Communicate clearly, professionally, and proactively with internal teams, franchise operators, and vendors.
3. Build positive, collaborative relationships across the enterprise to ensure learning solutions are relevant, actionable, and easy to implement.
4. Manage expectations and timelines with diplomacy, clarity, and ownership.

The US national base salary range for this position is $80,088 - $96,106. The base salary range displayed reflects the targeted hiring range for positions across all US locations. Individual pay is determined by job-related skills, work location and relevant education or experience.